001I'd like to call the Lancaster Central School District Board of Education meeting to order. In the unlikely event, Thank you. In the unlikely event of an emergency, please note all of the exits. At this time, I'd like for everyone to silence their cell phones and please stand for the pledge to the flag. And then please remain standing for a moment of silent reflection to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. All right. Thank you everybody for coming tonight. Um we will move on to 4.0. Um, we did have a budget work session today um at 6:00 and that was our makeup budget work session from uh earlier this uh this month when we had
002a snow day. Okay. All right. 5.0 presentations. 5.1 uh the power of partnership. We have uh Erie Bosey's district superintendent here today. Michael Capuana. Okay, good evening. Um, just want to start by saying thank you to the Lancaster Central School District and to the board of education for having us out this evening to present on our partnership with Lancaster Central Schools. My name is Mike Capuana and I have the privilege to serve as the district superintendent of Erie Wosis. This is my colleague Jesse Cartis who serves as our director of internal talent and leadership development. So, our goal this evening is to provide you with updates on our partnership with your school district, talk about the different areas of the organization, some regional and state level priorities that we are supporting um our component districts
003across Erie County with and also just um reforms from the state level and then talk about some unique components with within Erie Wosis. So our organization is an extension of our 19 component school districts. We are in the position of serving and supporting um everything from student programming at the K12 level, workforce development programming, administrative and operation functions within school systems and also from an infrastructure technology standpoint with our Winnick services, the regional information center. But all of that is built on being ex an extension of our school districts and partnering. Our organization has just over,00 employees um organized into three different branches of the operation and we function to be able to provide those resources and also ensure that districts can maximize the Bosey's aid formula in order to provide those resources and programs
004to students. As a Boseies, we also have a board of education similar to our component districts. We have seven board members on the Boseies board. Uh they're a wonderful group of leaders to work with, help us design and move the organization forward, ensure that we're aligned to the core values of our organization, and they represent different component districts from within Erie 1. My role as the district superintendent is a little bit different from being in a component district. So, it's really sort of three different areas. First and foremost is um the day-to-day operation of the Boseies itself. And then from there, I also serve as the commissioner of education's representative to the field here in Western New York. So on a monthly basis, I have the privilege to go to Albany and meet with the
005commissioner in the department, work through all different kinds of reforms and really serve as a voice of the field in both directions. So as you move your work forward here on behalf of the students of Lancaster, ensuring that we are partnering in that and if there are areas where you want to make sure that we're giving that feedback back to the board of regents and to the department, that's part of our role as a Boseies. In addition to that, just supporting the statewide region, our 19 component districts and Buffalo public schools. So for Lancaster specifically, um your Bosey's aid rate is just right around 62%. Uh during the 2526 school year, the district is estimated to see just over $3 million in Bosey's aid for services across all different aspects of our coasters, our cooperative
006services. That aid rate is driven by what we refer to as arada, which is the resident weighted average daily attendance. That is a snapshot of student enrollment that's taken in the spring and factored in with um a variety of other socioeconomic factors from the district including property values that drive that aid rate. That aid rate does change on an annual basis as those factors come together. The organization itself has three primary branches. first and foremost is administrative services, the Rick and technology services, and then finally our instructional programs. So for administrative services, this is all of uh the oftentimes back office functions that support school systems, everything from the central business office to policy services, coordinating substitute teachers across our component districts and supporting that. Uh in addition to that, sports coordination. So section six
007is part of the organization as we work to uh provide those athletic opportunities for kids. Labor relations services which is um assisting the school districts sometimes with student discipline matters, human resources supports and then communications which is our uh connections with your own public media public uh communication folks. In addition to that, the print shop and photography and other supports for communication network across the school systems. From there, the Winny Rick, which a Rick is a regional information center. We're very fortunate at Erie 1 to have one of the 12 Ricks in New York State. And through that function we provide all kinds of connectivity, technology support, resources, professional learning, um purchasing, procurement of hardware, software, internet connectivity, all comes through the Winnick. Those services include also the data warehouse which we host for the
008state education department and in addition to that cyber security and networking supports for our school districts. And then finally, instructional services. So we have our K12 programs most often known for our exceptional education, special education, alternative education programs. In addition to that, our CTE programs right now CTE, we're serving just over 2500 students, high schoolers from across Western New York. We have four campuses that we're supporting CTE and workforce development. Um, we train just around 1,800 adults annually in a variety of high needs, high demand fields in order to short-term, long-term prepare folks to get into the world of work. For uh, career and technical education, just to share some background on Lancaster's enrollment and participation, you'll see the enrollment trend there. Um, right around 12% of Lancaster's juniors and seniors participate in CTE programming.
009that is right around the average for the region. Uh we have 234 students participating in CTE. Those programs as you know have developed and evolved over the years. Everything from sort of the core CTE programs where we look at um cosmetology and collision repair and auto tech. But now we actually have up to 30 different programs all leading to both college and careers. We have an aviation program in partnership with what was prior aviation executive air over near the Harkness Center. Believe it or not, there are high schoolers getting flight time above us. Uh in the region we have um high interest technology programming, uh web tech and game design, cyber security and networking and the traditional trades are also growing. So, our electrical systems programs, our welding programs, our carpentry and um those those
010types of programs continue to be steady. So, regionalization is the other area and talking with Dr. Kufu, we wanted to make sure the board had some awareness around and um going back to October of 2024, uh the state education department has asked that all 37 Boseies across the state bring together our partner school districts to look at regional priorities that we can collaborate around as a team. The Boseies have been asked to organize that for the component school districts in their region. So back in October, we hosted a meeting with all Erie County schools incorporating Eerie 1 and Erie 2 Boseies. That included the board president and the superintendent to come to an initial conversation. That was preceded by each school district completing a strength and needs assessment which was shared with the state education
011department and also with us as a Boseies to prepare for that conversation. From there, we convened again in January with teams from each of the component districts to talk about those priorities and really trying to make that a common sense. What are things that school systems across the region are struggling with could partner more directly around and we can support from an organizing and infrastructure. The primary focus of this is to be around access for students, equitable access and efficiencies across systems. And then finally, this past October, we had to turn our final plan in. So after several convening conversations, we moved forward with the plan to the state education department. That plan is on a 10-year cycle of review and really just is meant to be a conversation starter for our partner school districts.
012I'm very proud to share that um all 19 of our school districts and Buffalo Public Schools as a partner Big Five district signed on to participate in this conversation. And I think that speaks to the power of the partnership that we have regionally. >> Hi, my name is Jesse. I'm really excited to help put together the regionalization plan and bring all the districts together to talk about the different areas of focus. Based on the survey and the conversations that we had, we came up with five areas of focus. The graduation measures in New York State Inspires was top of mind for everyone. As things shift and change, we want to be able to come together regionally to provide supports to Lancaster and all the Western New York school districts and then be able to have
013conversations about what best practice is. We also want to tackle chronic absenteeism and social emotional learning. We've already convened uh professional learning groups around the graduation measures in New York State Inspires and around chronic absenteeism. We hosted uh several sessions from the state to talk about how to tackle chronic absenteeism and how to have an eye on improving social emotional learn learning as we move forward. We also want to tackle making the most of out of school time and community partnerships. 80% of a student's time is spent out of school, after school, and in the summer. So having our first regional conversations around what can we do as a region to support students in looking for afterchool and summer opportunities. We are looking to tackle conversations around transportation and we know that's going to be
014one of our biggest conversations. And so we're looking forward to this June convening together all of the districts to talk about how to be more efficient through transportation together. And then finally, access to co course offerings and barriers to equity. As a Boseies, we're looking to offer a coser that helps support college and career ready and helps support individual districts as they look at course offerings. So our first asks because this is just beginning related to advocacy and moving forward. We're looking for districts to participate in regional convenings and professional development and that's already happening with Lancaster and with other school districts in the area to talk about what's happening as far as um graduation requirements as far as New York State Inspires and best practices. We're looking to champion joint initiatives and that's already
015starting to happen too as a region especially when it comes to mental health is a good example. Um Lancaster and other schools in the area participate in the supporting mental health and advocating for resources together. So that's a good example of a collaborative where folks are coming together to share resources and share opportunities. And then finally to drive collaborative planning for transportation and course equity. We see those as two of the bigger areas that we plan to tackle as a group. And then as part of those and kind of in alignment, we're advocating for regional transportation innovation. We know it can't be just a conversation. Out of those conversations, we're looking to have advocacy with New York State about what we need around supporting family support centers, teacher certification, and then evaluating extracurricular and community
016support opportunities for students. So, we're hoping to be able to advocate on behalf of our area based on those conversations. >> So, in transitioning to an additional reform that we are supporting the school system rounds in New York inspires in the portrait of a graduate. Um, and so we have built that in based on the guidance of our component partner districts into the regionalization plan because it's work that needs to move forward regardless. Um, I will say that with respect to this, you've probably seen the different areas of prioritization for what our students will as they exit our high schools be prepared to do and the skills that they will have. So, the the listing of the the six different criteria there. Um, but in addition to that, it becomes being prepared for those changes
017and the graduation and the credit and the seat time and all of the instructional shifts that might be necessary. So, we have started conversations through the regionalization work with our districts. Um, I will say that a lot of what I've heard from this initiative is already happening in the region. There are good, strong instructional programs across Western New York. Our teachers and our leaders do a wonderful job. Things like project-based learning and project-based assessments have been happening across our school systems for many years. But in addition to that, there are going to be some changes to the particulars of graduation requirements in terms of the regent exams and preparing for that. So we are working directly with the schools, the instructional leaders, professional development communities to drive those changes. >> And this is just the
018proposed graduation measures timeline. We know that it can change over time, but as of right now for 2526, we're looking at what is happening in our PLC. We're looking at preparing and looking at standards, looking at student agency and increasing student voice and opportunities and systems that are already working well. There's been a lot of opportunities for Lancaster and other schools to highlight what's going well in their schools so schools around the region can learn from each other as it moves forward. from next year. Just to give you a preview, we'll be looking at prioritizing the reformatting of those standards and then hopefully the release of the portrait of a graduate rubrics and guidance at by March of this year. There's an expectation that they'll release more information on financial literacy and how that will
019play out beyond. So, be looking for that as it comes. This is the diploma requirements by cohort. We're moving toward one diploma and so your cohort that is coming in in the fall of 20 um 27 will be the first that will move toward that one diploma and then we're moving toward decoupling the regent's exams from graduation requirements. So this gives you a little bit more detail and information about where those cohorts stand. But school districts right now can really begin to start to look at assessments and how assessments work. there'll be a lot around student agency and local decision as it moves forward coming from the state. So, it gives you an opportunity to assess what you have going well right now as you move forward. I would just add as part of our
020conversation around that work is recognizing that if school systems do not have the capacity to deliver on these multiple pathways and choices, that in and of itself becomes an equity issue across the region. So we're trying to link that to the regionalization priorities to make sure that those courses can be accessed that there are uh the teachers accessible with certification be able to provide that coursework. All of that builds into this larger system as we think about it. And then just to share for Erie Wosi specifically um our expansion project for our new campus. So uh over the course of the last just about four years we have been working with the school systems on um some challenges in terms of access to placements for our students with disabilities. Um we know that the Boseies
021programs are the next sort of stop on the continuum once the program within the district is not able to serve that student. And so we are trying to deal with what have been pretty substantial weight lists in programs and also making sure that all of the differing needs of our kids are being able to be met across that unique program and classroom. So we've worked with our school systems um all 19 districts over the last four years to develop a process and go out to uh a full build out of a campus not too far from here in Lancaster. So on the the corner of Dick and Walden in Dew um we are partnering with Buffalo Construction Consultants uh Benderson Development and Cadeni Architects to build this new campus. Right now we currently serve just
022around 350 students in special education at Erie 1. This new campus is going to allow us to bring the students from three different buildings into one location with all of our staff and opens up an additional roughly 180 seats in the K12 programs for additional placements for our partner districts. So really working to address the need in the region and do that in a way that is thoughtful and designed for the students that come to programs. Here's a couple of renderings. So, the school will open in September of 27. We anticipate taking delivery on the building in late spring of 27 and then preparing for the opening of school. This is going to be a really unique space. There will be 70 classrooms on the campus. We'll have just over 300 staff in place. Um,
023and all of the design is really meant for the students that we serve. So, a lot of the sensory needs that we know our kids have, um, you're going to see that taken into account in the design, the cafeteria space, for example, on the bottom has some smaller breakout cafeterias in addition to a large cafeteria. We're going to have a town square in the middle where students will be able to gather and some unique programming there. Um, a market space for kids to be able to and staff come to. There's going to be a boutique um for clothing and sort of that um you know as kids are making great progress access to opportunities there. Um and again an event center at the bottom and the library space. Six individual courtyard cutouts within the campus
024on the interior of the campus all with unique out outdoor um spaces for recreation for the kids. And we are also working with our partners at Kadeni and the architecture side of things to make sure that those designs are done up front and really intentional. Um I won't share because I think just for time purposes there's >> eerie one both >> there's a um a video there but if the board has a chance to take a look at it talks a little bit more about the campus and I just want to make sure you understand how much we appreciate your support as a school system for this opportunity to come together because if it was not for all 19 districts coming together this would not be possible and it's going to serve a regional need
025for many years to come. And with that, I'll any questions or comments from board members? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> I'll turn it over to Mr. Terico, but Dr. Capawana, Mrs. Cartas, thank you guys for your partnership, your leadership, your vision, and bringing all of the component districts together to help serve our students, but all the students regionally. We really appreciate it. And I will share the video with the board because the video is a fantastic illustration of what's to come for for some of our students and the regional students on on Walden and Dick. Thank you guys so much for coming. Um, obviously we uh we do really appreciate Boseies. We try and maximize everything we can out of using Boseies and all the services. So, thank you so much
026for coming and we appreciate the presentation because so many people in the community who might be watching at home don't know exactly what Boseies does for Lancaster and it's a lot. So, thank you so much. Next up, we have another presentation 5.2 uh Court Street Steps to New York inspires. Uh, so we have Andrew Crazman, Kier Marioli, and Andrea Parker. >> You ready? >> Ready. Here you go. Good evening. Uh my name is Andrea Parker. I am the proud principal of Court Street Elementary School. So I just want to thank the board of education and the community for joining us here tonight um on our campus. So um we're here to tell you a little bit about the programming here at Court Street and how it's aligning directly with what Dr. Capawana just spoke about,
027Portrait of a Graduate in New York inspires. So I've only been at Court Street for about five weeks now. It feels like a lot longer um but five weeks and I've already learned that there is a great focus on educating the whole child here at Court Street and in Lancaster. Um we host a variety of activities at the school um which truly do develop the social emotional needs, the academic needs of our child like pumpkin runs. We have our book swaps. Um we pilot programs for the district. And if you haven't heard, coming up in just a few short weeks is our amazing variety show where students get to take the stage and practice their public speaking skills and demonstrate their talents to the community. Um, and as we've noticed, these programs are directly aligning
028with the New York Inspires as well as the portrait of a graduate. Um, these are things that New York State have has adopted and it's the largest educational overhaul in 150 years. So, we're really exciting that some of the programming that we already have in place um is aligning with what this vision is to come. Um what we're most excited about with Fortune Graduate and New York Inspires is that it allows us to create these personalized learning pathways for our students which really have a focus on those high standards but also connecting them with that heavy um application of real world skills um so that they can practice what it means to be a human out in our world. So um we are really excited to talk about how we know this is a graduation
029measure but this work starts here with our literalist learners um our little legends at court street. So Dr. Krman or sorry Mr. Krasman is going to um speak a little bit more about portrait of a graduate those six attributes and then we're going to tell you a little bit about how court street's already working towards those. >> Awesome. Thank you Andrea. Uh I appreciate the honorary doctoral degree. Um so I do want to touch point uh on a couple of things that Dr. Capuana had talked about uh earlier in the presentation. Uh this is the largest statewide initiative that New York State has pushed towards graduation over the course of the last 100 years. And the goal here is to strengthen student readiness upon graduation. Um as we're talking about graduation and what portrait of
030a graduate is, we're not just talking about what is taking place on one for drive. that work starts right here in this building and the other K3 buildings as early as kindergarten as students are learning literacy as students are learning math, social skills, all of those things start developing when these kids first come to us at the age of five. So that's really where the portrait of a graduate really starts is when they first start walking into our doors and they start learning those valuable skills. So there's a couple of key components uh when talking about portrait of a graduate. This is the why. This is the focus. This is the driving factor that we are working towards when we're talking about portrait of graduate. It's based on those six competencies that you heard Dr.
031Kappa wantana talk um a little bit about and it all starts again in those early formative years. Literacy, math, social skills. All of those different pieces are what makes global citizens. Those are what makes effective communicators, creative innovators is the development of those different skill sets. So in thinking about one diploma currently the way it exists right now is that you have the opportunity for a region's diploma. You have the opportunity for advanced distinction distinction with honors and all of these different opportunities and designations for students essentially. Now what the thought is now that New York State is moving towards is it's just one diploma that's it and it's high school diploma but with different seals and endorsements that are going to exist that students can take on biiteracy civic readiness career and technical education.
032Good news is we have a lot of programming in place already in these areas that students are already earning seals on and we can continue to move forward with that and then expand to take a look at other opportunities. Last piece redefining credit essentially right now as we're defining credit for students is determined by sea time. How much time is are students sitting in classrooms receiving instructions from teachers? Very important. But now when we start taking a look at what credit is, how are we assessing student knowledge, what is the coursework that we are putting in front of them to make them more global citizens, thinkers, innovators, making sure that they're academically prepared. So we can measure this through capstone projects. We measure this through service learning opportunities. We measure this through project-based learning opportunities
033as we start to shift away from this whole idea of the traditional paper and pencil assessment of regions exams. Come on. There we go. So the six traits that were up here before or the six traits that are up here in front of you now, these are the six traits that as we start looking at future summer curriculum projects, as we start thinking about future coursework that we're going to be looking at or coursework that we may have to alter as we move forward. These six traits are going to be a key driver in evaluating that coursework to make sure that the instruction, the project work, the assessments that we're going to be doing with our students is going to be aligned and geared towards making sure that these stu that our students have these
034six attributes at their disposal. Last piece here for me is this is a shift. You think about the traditional model that we've worked in over the course of the past hundred years with students coming into class, sitting for uh sitting for instruction, meeting those seat time requirements, and then sitting down and then taking a regent examination at the end. That pathway, as far as we know, is still going to be an option. That's still going to exist. But as we move forward, that's not going to be the only pathway for students to graduate from high school. As Dr. Kapawan and Mrs. As Car has said in the presentation before, sometime in March, hopefully we receive some more guidance in regards to what can some of these other pathways potentially look like that we can start
035putting students on as we're working through middle school, getting into high school, we can start putting kids on pathways to make sure that they're hitting these six attributes, but then showing that they do have those portrait of a graduate skills attributes and they're participating in project project based learning. are participating in work-based learning opportunities, internships. A lot of the things that you see in our academy programs at the high school can start to become potentially more commonplace in other areas outside of the academy programs. So, good news. A lot of this stuff is taking place already and there's a lot of great stuff that's taking place right here, specifically at Court Street. So, what I'm going to ask now is Dr. Mark Hilly to come on up here to highlight some of the cool stuff
036that's happening around uh New York Inspires that aligns uh with the work here in Course Street. So doctor, >> she's a real doctor. I'm just a fake one. >> Thanks, Mr. Crazman. Um I'm excited to be here tonight to highlight the great work that's been going on with the teachers here and how it benefits our student. Um, some of the examples that you're going to see really exemplify what great instruction is and how it connects to Portrait of a Graduate. Um, so we're going to start with this first slide. And as I talk about each of these slides, you're going to see either the project or the experience that the students did. And then you're going to see a New York State inspires connection and you're going to see the portrait attribute. I'm not going
037to read that to you. I am going to talk a little bit about what each of these projects or experiences were like for our students. Um, so as part of the social studies standards, students in second grade need to learn what builds communities. They need to learn what mi municipalities are like. Um, and they also need to learn about businesses and how they create jobs and the basics of what economy looks like. Um, and in ELA, they start to use facts to back up their opinions and they're doing conversations around their writings. Those are all part of both the social studies and the ELA standards. And in this project, the students melded the two. They researched a place in Lancaster and they interviewed people who worked there and then they created posters to persuade others
038that their business was the best one in Lancaster. And you can see an example here of one of our students with a local business right here in town. Um, the students had to form an opinion. They had to back it up, but they also had to interact with not only other students, but adults outside of their teachers and their parents. Um, and then they had to apply it by creating a visually appealing poster. This is an excellent example of how what we we can take what was traditionally taught in isolated skills and create real world experiences for students that let them show their skills but also let them um gain job readiness and the soft skills that go along with being successful as uh once you leave school. So this next one is an excellent
039example of a work experience project. Um in this project the students with the help of their teachers are running a thriving business. Um the project is supported with fundamental math skills. The students have to practice their math skills by checking the inventory. What do they need to buy? What do they have enough of? Um, and they still can practice their math with paper and pencil tasks, but right there on the spot as they're working with their with their customers, they need to be able to add and subtract and make change. Um, here again, students are gaining those skills that will carry them as they enter the workforce. They're learning those hard skills of running a business, but they're also learning how to interact with their customers and communicate about their services. The last one that
040we're going to highlight tonight wasn't a project, but more of an experience. And not everything that's connected to New York State inspires your portrait of a graduate has to be a project. Um, there are experiential things that go along with it. Um these students got the opportunity to see the ultimate goal of life after Lancaster. Um students are actually going to leave Lancaster at some point and go out into the world. And so here we had students who had the opportunity to travel around the world. If you look at them in that picture, um those are not the storage bins that you have in your basement. That is an airplane. And those students are on an airplane and they are traveling around the world and they landed in several different spots around the world and
041learned different traditions and songs and uh information about the culture of those different places. Um they were immersed in stories and music and crafts from all of those different communities around the world. This helps them to have a greater understanding that there is a larger world and helps us to build bridges between different communities. So, those are just three great examples of what's going on here at Court Street and exemplifies the work that we're doing around the district in the K3s um and how we are preparing students for portrait of a graduate and New York State inspires with the work we're doing with our youngest kids. So, I am going to pass it back to Miss Parker. All right. Um, so thank you again for joining us here at Court Street tonight. Um, as the
042new principal here, I am super proud of the work that's being done here. Um, and I know that myself and the teachers, we're going to continue to work alongside the district to make sure that we're giving the students um, those inspir those experiences um, along with some of that explicit instruction that we know our students need. Um, it's experiences like these that we know are going to help prepare our students. like Dr. Marioli said for when they step outside of our Lancaster bubble that we have built so nicely for them. Um we've always provided students with rich curriculum and our hope is to continue that so that we can um provide them those interpersonal and intellectual skills that we know they're going to need so that they can be um equipped for the ever evolving
043world that they are about to step into. So thank you and if you have any questions we are here to answer them. >> [applause] >> I appreciate jump back. Thank you so much for that presentation. Uh, as we've been doing this road show and kind of going from school to school, I've said this at pretty much everyone when we've seen these presentations just how important it is to instill instill leadership at such a young age. So once the kids get out of the elementary schools and move on to William Street and into middle school and high school, um the the teachers at each one of those respective buildings can continue to build upon uh the leadership skills that they get at such a young age. Um so you wind up with kids who are ready
044to face the outside world once they get out there. So thank you very much. Really appreciate you uh showing us all of the stuff you guys are working on. Okay. 6.0 0 correspondence 6.1 uh and 6.2. We have an email from Valerie Palumbo received on February 4th, 2026 and an email from Holly Tarin received on February 5th, 2026. 7.0 We have approval of minutes 7.1. Can I have a motion to accept the regular session from January 12th, 2026? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 8.0 items from staff organizations. Is there anybody here from the Lancaster Administrative and Supervisory Association? >> Yeah. >> Awesome. Thank you. Uh, anyone from the Lancaster Central Teachers Association? Oh, for goodness. >> Okay. All right. Good evening. You hear me back there? Um,
045first we'd like to formally welcome Andrea Parker. we haven't had a chance to do that. So, WELCOME. [applause] UM, we'd also like to thank the Court Street teachers who are in attendance tonight [applause] uh for their for their role in helping to create tonight's presentation. The programs and activities on display clearly reflect a strong commitment to helping their students grow and succeed. Thank you, Mr. Ferrar. Anybody from the Lancaster Association of Service Personnel? >> Thank you very much. Anybody from the Lancaster Association of Substitute Teachers? All right. 9.0 board reports. Um, anybody have anything to report? Go ahead, Mr. Van Nortwick. Yeah, I just want to say um over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Lancaster Middle middle middle school musical. Um they produced Frozen. My daughter had the privilege of uh
046being in it and just wanted to point out, I'm sure a lot of you saw it. It was one of the most incredible middle school musicals I've ever seen. Um I know they did The Little Mermaid last year. I didn't think they could top that, but I thought that they did. It was just incredible. I just want to credit Mary Beth Conlin um and all of the numerous numerous community members that volunteered to help support the musical um and just a great example of how she empowers the kids um to go above and beyond and out of their comfort zone. Not just the kids on stage, but the kids in the pit band, the kids that are running sound, stage crew, um lighting. It was just an incredible performance, an incredible example of what we
047can push kids to do. um and just really a great um uh entertaining uh event for our district. So, great job to all involved and it was uh just really nice to see. [applause] So, I'll just uh echo what Mr. Van Norwick said. I also went to the musical over the weekend and it was absolutely incredible. So, huge shout out to the cast and crew uh to Mary Beth Conlin for doing an amazing job. Um, I've never seen anything like it. And I just kept having to remind myself that these are, you know, 12 and 13 year olds and they absolutely blew it out of the water. It was incredible to watch. The talent on display was amazing. So, um, I I couldn't believe it. So, it was it was great. I can't wait to
048can't wait for next year. >> Uh, just quickly, since we're here at uh Court Street, um, my kids went through Court Street. I see uh a lot of the teachers uh that are still here from when my kids now adults um went to Court Street. So, um Court Street always has a a special place in my heart. So, um it's great to see all of you and uh all of the new teachers as well. >> All right, I'm going to kind of echo the the Frozen statement as well. So, I actually had the privilege of knowing uh Elsa who uh was one of the leads there since she was three. So my wife ugly cried in the audience as I maybe shed a couple tears myself. So it was amazing. Um the work they put
049in. I mean we've every time we wanted to see her, she was out, you know, practicing and rehearsing and all that stuff. So it was just amazing. Second thing is I I had the my my son's in second grade. I finally got to the go to the carnival. My daughter was actually not sick this year. So uh we got to go and we had my uh my uncle volunteer to do a karaoke uh thing in the back and it was awesome. the amount of kids that got up there and staying in front of all the adults and all the kids and all their peers was absolutely awesome and uh it was a great job and my my daughter really enjoyed her her snow cones. So, but I appreciate this. Awesome stuff going on. So, >>
050anybody have anything else to report? >> I just have a couple things. Um the first one I also kind of want to piggyback off what everyone else said and give a big congratulations to the whole Frozen cast. I've heard a lot of amazing feedback of the show and um I think it's really amazing what we're doing with our musical program. The high school is also um almost finished the process of their musical Annie. The William Street School students are going to be coming to the high school on Wednesday to see the first run through of that performance. And then the rest of the shows will begin on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday, February 14th. Um I've heard a lot of amazing things about like the behind the scenes of that show as well. and
051everyone in the cast is very excited for it to come to life. Um, another thing too, the Lancaster High School students are starting to work on their process of the spring spirit week, which will be taking place before um, Easter break. Um, but it's going to be really focused on physical, emotional, and mental health. So, there's lots of different events going on during that week that are um, in the process of being planned like a health and wellness fair, a blood drive through connect life, and a bald forb fundraiser. And then there's also various different activities um revolved around mental health going on during that week as well, such as visits from therapy dogs. And then the other thing that I kind of just wanted to highlight as well is that Koma Park recently had
052a fundraiser for the Punt Foundation Against Cancer and they raised over $1,000. And I thought that was really important to note as well. And that's all I have. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Michaela. 10.0 Superintendent Administrative Report. I will turn it over to Dr. Kufel. >> Thank you, Mr. Terico. I think some of my updates have been already uh mentioned, so I will maybe skip over those or or lessen those. I will say I added this one during the last presentation, the passport to the world. uh at about 5:00 running home real quick. Um found out my second child has a basketball game at Holland Boys Club. My six-year-old has been doing some of the passport to the world stuff. So between going home and going coming back here, he found out that
053he's going to his brother's game in Holland. He was a little disappointed to find out it's just on the other side of like East Aurora before Machias, not the Holland that he visited in first grade. So, I thought that was funny as you guys were putting that up there. Um, in preparation for this board meeting uh and talking to people recently, many people talked about this uh this space that we're in and the newly renovated court and how beautiful it is and many people talking about it. It got me to thinking a little bit about the last time that I was here when it was full of people. So that was right before winter break. Um and in those two weeks leading up to winter break, uh there was a celebration uh organized by the
054faculty, staff, families, the students uh participated for Mrs. Jackie Kleinard, who recently retired right before break. And um during those two weeks, that celebration included um I think spirit themed days. I feel like I remember something about a sloth. Um there was a calendar and a photo shoot that some of us at DO got to participate in and be part of the calendar. Uh which was amazing. Uh there was a third grade concert. I think I saw Mr. Shamrock. Uh I came over here for the coral concert and Mr. Shamrock like all of our music teachers, Michaela mentioned it and the musical a wonderful job. And to see where our our youngest students begin and then where they go, whether it's in Frozen or Annie is just remarkable. And those opportunities they get, whether it's
055the talent show here that my kids participated at Hillview or or other opportunities that gets them comfortable and acclimated to performing for people and on stage. Fantastic. And that day, uh, I think culminated with a I I know it culminated with a song and a tribute to Mrs. Kleiner, I believe. I don't know who put it together. I'm going to assume it was Mr. Shamrock, but I'm sure there was others involved. I think it was the Jingle Bells. And the entire auditorium here participated in that. I got roped into participating and just tried to root not to ruin the the performance, but it was heartfelt. It was thoughtful. It was emotional and it was illustrative of what Court Street's about. how much they care for the Corsery community, our students, our faculty, our staff, each
056other in times of celebration, in times of need, um, and in times of every day. And that's what you guys are about. And I think Court Street is a microcosm of the Greater Lancaster School District. So, when we were coming here and we were in this space, it really got me thinking about about what we're about as a school district and what Court Street's about. So I just wanted to share that because that was a I think a really special moment and it was a great celebration of Mrs. Kleiner but exemplified what court's about and then you guys welcoming uh Mrs. Parker with open arms and that transmit transition being so smooth is a testament to this building and those who work here. So so thank you for that. I will say speaking of kindness
057a little bit um this is the week of kindness. This is a tradition in Lancaster that started probably about 15 years ago give or take. Dr. Marie Perini, then assistant um superintendent who's also from Holland. Uh neither here nor there, just a weird coincidence. Um and the Bullyproof partnership, the culture, climate inclusivity committee, uh started that tradition. It's full of um spirit themed days, uh kindness challenges going out through each of our buildings and then community service projects that happen and occur where our youngest and our oldest participate in ways to make our communities just a little bit better. So, thank you to all involved and it's a another wonderful tradition in Lancaster. Mr. Craman talked a little bit aboutmies. We have seven career themedies as many of you know thosemies started uh years and
058years ago to really help prepare students for life after Lancaster schools and also to create a school within a school feeling because you guys know that the high school and in this district is quite large. So it provides some ability and some areas for our students uh to connect around to uh help prepare them for whatever pathway they choose whether that's college career right in the workforce or even the military. So uh I've gone to the academy night and I think it was in about two weeks ago late January multiple times over the years as a professional. Uh my daughter's in ninth grade so I had the opportunity to go also as a parent and I will tell you uh I often talk here in my superintendent report about excellence in education and there's a
059plethora of ways to do that community service and the culture student empowerment and student leadership. I think ourmies exemplifies all of those things. Um and it was on full display at academy night. Seeing the the faculty members, the adviserss, the students who were empowered to talk about how proud they were of themies that they were in um was really heartfelt and uh I think the toughest thing was trying to figure out and facilitate which academy uh my daughter wants to apply to. But it gave me a newfound uh uh perspective as a parent going through that as opposed to uh a professional. special education parent information night last week. Um we've had a long-standing partnership with Dr. Greg Fabiano. He's an expert in the area of uh ADHD. Uh that partnership, that relationship has taken
060many forms. It's been participating in research. Um it's been coming to some of our buildings to work with teachers or programs. Uh it's been participating our legendary day of learning to work with uh all of our faculty and staff. and it's been a long-standing relationship that we're certainly very um proud of. I think Dr. Fabiano has a a captivating way of of marrying uh the research and the theory along with uh I guess the practicality of of working with students with ADHD and whether you have students with ADHD in your classroom uh in home. I think it was a great way for our special educate special education department to support all of our learners and all of our families. Komao Park recently hosted um a cohort of educators from Chile uh along with members of
061the education department from Buff State part of the exchange program. So, I don't know if anybody's here from Komo Park, but I know that that day consisted of of panel discussions, uh, classroom visits, uh, going over how at the youngest levels we utilize Kagan cooperative learning structures, implementation of UFly and Hagerty, focusing on lesson design, the difference between special education and general education in the states, um, and supporting students from a social emotional standpoint. Uh, I just want to thank all of those who were involved and opened their doors to that opportunity. I think Mrs. Marcenelli in one of the upcoming um, breaks along with many educators from Buff State is going uh, to South America. So, I just want to say kudos to everybody involved. And then lastly, I won't touch on Frozen. Unbelievable
06212 and 13year-old kids. Astounded. You couldn't pay me to get on stage and I definitely wouldn't sing in front of anybody, karaoke or otherwise. Um, Annie's coming. Looking forward to that. Always fantastic shows and just so impressed. And last time at Koma Park, Mr. Rep talked about the wonderful student athletes that we have, the accomplishments, the teams that we have, almost 80 teams. Um, and it's just the opportunities that our students have. I know that came with Dr. Cap Capoana, the outside opportunities. The students in Lancasters are certainly fortunate to have a lot of outside opportunities in music, athletics, and the arts because of what our teachers do and the community members do. A few that I just want to highlight some of the accomplishment, varsity cheerleading won first place in grand champions at a
063recent competition. JV and modified also took first place. Our Lancaster cadet winner guard and varsity winner guard both took first place in a recent competition, Archer Park. The girls bowling team took second at the Quaker tournament. And then unified bowling is in full swing right now and that's an unbelievable experience. Um and then unified basketball is going to be starting up and that kickoff uh which I don't know if that's the right word for basketball but that kickoff is taking place on March 6th and it's a collaboration with our unified basketball team along with the Lancaster Police Department which mark your calendars. It's an absolute joy to be around. Um, and it's a great opportunity for all of our students. Uh, SRO Mauy and Brian Wild were the ones who spearheaded uh, that event. And
064if you haven't, please come check it out. And then really lastly, I go by William Street several times. Certainly, every time I go by, there's more and more progress that's being made. So, kudos to to all involved in the the flexibility of everybody and the hard work. Um, that's going to be where our students are going to be. And then where the students currently are in the back of the building is where the district office is going to be. But that building now is almost fully enclosed and they're starting to make some real progress on the inside. So coming soon. Back to you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Kufel. 11.0 Old Business. Does anybody have any old business to discuss? 12.0 new business. 12.1 Personnel items. 12.1.1. Can I have a motion on
065the tenure recommendation? Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. Uh we will recognize that teacher at a later meeting. 12.2.1. Can I get a motion on the personnel changes? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 12.2 Education Items 12.2.1. Can I have a motion on the committee for special education? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against? Motion carries. 12.2.2. Can I have a motion on the committee for preschool special education? >> Second. Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 13.0. Business and financial items. 13.1. Can I have a motion on the financial reports? >> So second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against?
066Motion carries. 13.2 2 and 13.3 are policy adoptions. So 13.2 is policy adoption 5413 procurement uniform grant guidance for federal awards and 13.3 is policy adoption 5681 school safety plans. Can I have a motion on both of those? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 13.4 4 and 13.5 are both policy first readings. So 13.4 policy first reading 1620 annual organization annual reorganization meeting and 13.5 is a policy first reading for 1640 absentee military and early mail ballots. Those are for information only. We will read those two more times and then vote to adopt those policies. 13.6. Can I have a motion to adopt the 2026 2027 school calendar? Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 13.7. Can I have a motion
067to adopt the 2026 2027 classified staff holiday schedule? Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 13.8. Can I have a motion to accept the food service operating reports for December 2025? Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against? Motion carries. 13.9. Um, this was the annual audit report. Um, that was actually the audit committee met earlier today. Uh, again, it was a reschedule of the audit meeting. we were supposed to have uh back in January, but due to the snow day, we had to move it. Um during the audit report, uh there were no action items or anything to um to report. So, I would recommend to the board that we um adopt the uh annual audit report. So, can I have a motion to accept the
068annual audit report? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against? Motion carries. 1310. Uh, can I have a motion to accept the club creation? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1311 state environment state environmental quality review seeker for capital outlay project. Can I have a motion to accept? >> Any any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1312, 1313, and 1314 are all contracts. So 1312 is a contract with Frontier Central School District. 1313 is contract for Fannon Musical Productions LLC. That's music rental and custom composition writing. And 1314 is a contract with Fannon Musical Production LLC for visual design. Can I have a motion to accept those three contracts? the move. >> Any comments or questions? All those in
069favor? Anyone against? Those motions carry 13:15. Can I have a motion to accept the bid extension with just any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1316. Can I have a motion to accept the AIA contract with CJ Brown Energy and Engineering PC? So move. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1317. Can I have a motion to accept the contract extension with Ocar Workplace Compliance LLC? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1318. Uh, this is a tax certiiori settlement and this is information only. 1319. Can I have a motion to accept the Boseis call for nominations? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1320. Can I have a motion on the
070equipment auction results? >> So moved. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against? Motion carries. 1322. Can I have a motion on the amended food service budget? Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 1323. Can I have a motion on the amended transportation contract? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. 14.0. We have our public hearing. Uh we do not have anyone signed up to speak this evening. Um sorry. Ah, all right. We'll go back. Sorry. Uh 1321. Can I have a motion on the bus auction results? Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Anyone against? Motion carries. Okay. Now, 14.0 public hearing. We do not have anyone signed up to speak this evening. Um
071before we get to uh the last couple things on the agenda tonight, um our next budget work session will be March 9th, 2026. That will be at the William Street multi-purpose room. The next regular session meeting is March 23rd, 2026. That is also at the William Street multi-purpose room. Um 15.0 on the agenda, we have an executive session to discuss the employment of a particular individual. Can I have a motion to go into executive session? >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Anyone against? Motion carries. All right. Uh that will effectively end this evening's meeting. Um appreciate everybody coming out and for all the presentations. Thank you all so much for being here and have a great