001[music] >> Three years ago, I stood before you and spoke about the importance of community engagement, student opportunity, thoughtful planning, and strong communication. Today, I'm proud to say that together we have made meaningful progress on those goals, but there is still important work ahead. We've improved upon educational and training opportunities for our students, helping to better prepare them for an ever-changing world. From enhanced academic programs to supporting diverse pathways for career readiness, our district has taken steps to ensure students are gaining the skills and experiences they need to be successful. A key part of this work will be the development of our portrait of a graduate, which helps define the skills, knowledge, and attributes we want all students to leave our district with. This work will guide our decisions and ensure alignment across programs and
002initiatives. We have also prioritized the health, safety, and security of our school facilities. Through careful planning and investment, we've worked to create environments where students can learn and grow safely while keeping a close eye on the long-term needs of our district. Strategic planning has remained at the forefront of our work. I've been proud to engage in thoughtful discussions and decision-making processes that consider not just where we are today, but where we need to be in the future. A key part of that work, both now and moving forward, is redistricting. This is a complex and important process, and it will continue to be a focus as we work to ensure balanced enrollment, equitable opportunities, and long-term sustainability for our schools. Communication and collaboration with our community has strengthened as well. While there is always room to
003grow, we've made a concerted effort to listen, ask questions, and ensure that decisions are made with a student-first mindset and with input from those we serve. When I last ran for the board, we did not anticipate the need to hire a new superintendent. I'm proud that we came together as a board to successfully hire a strong leader for our district. As we look ahead, I believe it is important to provide continuity in board leadership to support long-term planning and to build on the progress we've made together. I also believe that having an educator's perspective on the board is valuable as we continue this work, bring insight into instruction, student needs, and the day-to-day realities of our schools as we make informed decisions for the future. As a parent, my commitment remains deeply personal. With three
004daughters in our schools, I see every day the impact of the decisions we make. Like all families in this community, we want our children and all children to have access to strong educational opportunities, meaningful support systems, and programs that help them thrive. While I'm proud of what we had accomplished together, I also realize that our work is not done. We must continue to adapt, to listen, and to lead with purpose to meet the evolving needs of our students and community. Thank you for your continued support, your engagement, and your trust. I look forward to continuing this work together. Please vote for me, Laura Sokol Scott, number one on the ballot for West Seneca School Board. Hi, and thanks for tuning in. My name is Sarah P. Worzbyt, and I first ran for the Board of
005Education in 2023 because I was concerned about our district. At that time, there was a lack of transparency, a lack of accountability, and important updates were not being completed. Transportation was a challenge, and I felt we needed to expand opportunities for our students. I stepped up because I believe our district should be a place where families choose to come and stay for generations. I have no political ambitions. My focus is and always will be what is best for our students and our community long-term. As a school psychologist with experience in public education, I bring a strong understanding of student needs. I've also spent years volunteering, coaching, sitting on nonprofit boards, fundraising, and working alongside families from across our district. Those experiences have helped me build meaningful connections and help me represent all parts of our
006community. In my first year on the board, our priority was hiring a new superintendent while working with an interim superintendent. In year two, we supported Dr. Krueger as she evaluated the district needs, increased accountability, and set clear expectations. Now in year three, we are seeing that work take shape through restructuring and thoughtful, community-informed redistricting. I am running to retain my seat on the board because I believe in the progress we are making, and I want to continue that momentum. Moving forward, my priorities are clear. Completing redistricting thoughtfully and responsibly, continuing to improve transportation, expanding opportunities for our students, supporting staff and teacher wellness, strengthening staff development, and ensuring our most vulnerable students have the space, staff, and resources they need to succeed. Serving on the Board of Education is more than just governance. It's about
007stewardship. It means making careful decisions about redistricting, ensuring safe and reliable transportation for our students, maintaining our facilities through responsible capital planning, and balancing innovation and fiscal responsibility. Most importantly, it means supporting our educators and our school staff so they can continue to support our students. At the end of the day, every decision I make come back comes back to one guiding principle. Doing what's best for all students. Not just a few, but for every child. Strong schools build strong communities. That's why I serve and that's why I'm asking for your support. Thank you. Hello, my name is Lorraine Berelich and I'm currently serving as a trustee of the West Seneca Board of Education. I'm running for re-election and asking for your support on May 19th. I originally ran for the board because I truly
008care about our schools, kids, staff and our community. I've learned quickly that this work is not always easy, but it is incredibly important. During my term, I've worked hard to be an active and involved parent and board member. I've served on the budget, safety and policy committees because those areas really impact everything we do from the classroom experience to the overall direction of the district. I've shown up ready to ask questions, clarify the details for our stakeholders and make decisions with students at the center. I've also been very involved in advocacy work through the Erie County Association of School Boards at both the county and state levels. That's been important to me because I believe strongly in local control and I think West Seneca deserves a voice when it comes to state mandates and decisions
009that affect our schools such as the cell phone ban from bell to bell and the zero emission bus mandates. Being involved with the ECASB has helped me stay connected to the best practices in leadership in education and to bring that knowledge back to our district. One of the biggest challenges we faced as a board this term was the work around the redistricting and reconfiguration and I'll be honest, those conversations were tough. They impact families, neighborhoods, students daily routines but I took that responsibility I worked to understand enrollment trends, studied the information we were given, and I also reached out and worked with local leaders and town officials to better understand long-term housing growth in West Seneca. I wanted to make sure any decision I made wasn't just based on today, but on what our community
010is going to need for the future. As a board, we have made transparency a priority through supporting multiple forms of communication for our district and community members. I believe people deserve to know what's happening in their schools, why decisions are being made, and how those decisions affect them. Listening to taxpayer and stakeholder feedback matters, and I've worked hard to listen, clarify misunderstandings, and to help keep the community informed and involved. I also strongly believe that supporting our teachers and staff is just as important as supporting our students. When our educators and staff feel supported, students succeed, and that benefits everyone. While I know rising school taxes are a real concern for families right now, I also know our district has a responsibility to maintain the high level of programming and services that West Seneca is
011known for. We serve close to 6,000 students across nine buildings, including students with special education needs, students placed in outside programs, and students who rely on safe transportation every day. Providing that level of education and safety takes planning, responsibility, and hard work. I'm running for re-election because I want to continue this work and see it through, keeping our schools strong, safe, and focused on student success. I look forward to seeing you on the 19th of May. Safe and supported schools, smart planning and stewardship, and a stronger West Seneca. Thank you. >> [music] [music] >> Hi West Seneca. My name is Kenneth Thompson and I'm proud to be running for the West Seneca Board of Education. I've been a resident of West Seneca for over 13 years and my wife and I are raising our two
012children right here in this community. Both currently in our school system. This isn't just where we live, it's home. And like many of you, I care deeply about our schools and the future we're building for our kids. That's why I decided to run. Over time, I've attended board meetings, spoken up and shared feedback. And I've seen firsthand that it actually makes a difference when people show up, ask questions and stay engaged, it works. And that's a big reason I'm running. I want to help be that bridge between the community and the administration, making sure voices are heard, concerns are addressed and decisions reflect what's really happening in our schools. I believe we're at an important point where strong, thoughtful leadership really matters. We have a lot to be proud of. Dedicated teachers, hard working staff
013and students with incredible potential. But we're also facing real challenges. Student mental health, classroom distractions and making sure the decisions being made are truly helping students succeed. My focus is simple. Fiscal responsibility, making smart, transparent decisions that respect taxpayers, safe environments, ensuring our schools are secure, supportive places to learn. Strong schools, strong community. Because when our schools thrive, our entire community thrives. I believe in listening to parents, teachers, and students, and staying connected to what's really happening in our schools every day. I also believe in accountability, clear expectations, and preparing our students not just academically, but for life. And as we approach May 19th, I know our community will also be voting on a capital project. Like any major decision, it's important that we take the time to understand the facts, ask questions, and make
014informed choices that balance student needs with fiscal responsibility. At the end of the day, this is about our kids and the future of West Seneca. I'm not running for recognition. I'm running because I care about this community, and I want to help move it forward. Election Day is May 19th, and I'd truly be honored to earn your support and your vote. Thank you for taking the time to listen. >> [music]