[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6087939,"mediaKeyId","2886485-02acc9f7cae1d5a29aed82141a6d9dff","parentId",2886485,"title","District proposes budget using reserves, avoids raising levy; Head Start funding trimmed and audit paperwork flagged","audioSeconds",2193,"startMs",2027000,"endMs",4220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886485-02acc9f7cae1d5a29aed82141a6d9dff&start=2027&end=4220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886485-02acc9f7cae1d5a29aed82141a6d9dff/thumbnail_2027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087939/New-York/District-proposes-budget-using-reserves-avoids-raising-levy-Head-Start-funding-trimmed-and-audit-paperwork-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087939-568a1d04b7f7291054f64471fa467bd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093203&Signature=SJPUK9oJVYDxHUfZ7K960YY11Njh3XOi4ZLGCxGdeHYm4IgGg9v9fRZQSGVkYaWaoWbAugywofgunmKWeRTc7N0GRYbqNctHNvr32KtHtZeXXwQvSnmTFJGYPyKnTBEV9jfR9MD9h7iYGhDrCuoK-3sp37ULHWJ~Ul0b~plCqfYxjbJbhwPsuxC0AZLQM6zlXf0zz62iBNSA1Sjlcr4EF2F9VxV7WrDXbHhZVE6~4Xj0NYt3TZs-8BeN6q3f2CUDe23mgZiOXPiZ0iKA1gSTFypY6w17qIHOyZHEagDAsiRxXaG2EZPnwCi4WUYPDBMw8LuKMrfj57A7GdXZHOUSOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-05T17:05:39.647Z","article","Niagara Falls City School District leaders presented a proposed 2025–26 budget at a board review session that relies on reserve balances to close a roughly $4.8 million gap rather than increasing the tax levy.

\"Before we used any reserve, we had a $4,800,000 gap,\" Mark Lohrey told the board, and staff explained they applied available reserves and one‑time adjustments to eliminate the shortfall in the draft that will be presented as a resolution next week.

Staff said the district will not assume additional Foundation Aid in the state budget and therefore did not budget for extra Foundation Aid dollars. The presentation said several expiring or uncertain grant lines informed the proposal: the McKinney‑Vento homeless grant has not had a new RFP released and the district is not assuming continuation for budgeting purposes; staff also included a small reduction in Head Start funding in the draft. Julie (finance staff) and Becky (business office) explained they reallocated reserves proportionally and that the TRS reserve usage was limited by statutory contribution limits; staff said $850,000 is projected from the TRS reserve this year.

The board was told the district still plans to pursue up to 98% state reimbursement for capital work but is not relying on additional state education aid beyond baseline Foundation Aid. Officials said they hope to replenish reserves when year‑end surpluses become clearer in the fall, but emphasized the risk created by a delayed state budget.

An internal audit was previewed: staff said auditors will likely issue two to four findings related to paperwork and documentation (missing dates or signatures), not to missing funds. The presentation cited a 1998 personnel form that lacked a date as an illustrative example.

Other items staff flagged for next week’s board packet include: a required property tax report card (to be submitted to the State Education Department), a resolution to exceed the equipment line for a boiler replacement in the administrative building (staff said the boiler replacement contract is about $186,000 and recommended a board resolution to authorize the expenditure), and a tick‑spraying resolution for athletic fields timed to minimize exposure during spring break.

School calendar and personnel updates were also discussed: staff said the 2025–26 school year will begin on the Wednesday after Labor Day to meet required minute counts and accommodate winter holiday timing. Maria (personnel) outlined resignations and appointments that will appear in the personnel report.

On student assessments, board members asked why state ELA and math results take months to return; district staff said setting cut scores and finalizing statewide reporting adds time and that the district uses local, real‑time assessments (NWEA, iReady, AIMSweb) for instructional decisions.

Next steps: staff will add formal resolutions to next week’s packet for board action (budget adoption for presentation to voters, property tax report card, equipment/boiler resolution, tick spray), and will submit required documents to the State Education Department by statutory deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NFCSD Board of Education Meeting - 4/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Niagara Falls City School District leaders presented a proposed 2025–26 budget at a board review session that relies on reserve balances to close a roughly $4.8 million gap rather than increasing the tax levy.","taxTitle","NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38344,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6087945,"Niagara Falls district says $30 million capital program is on track; Abbott paving change order goes to board next week",1600,120000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886485-02acc9f7cae1d5a29aed82141a6d9dff&start=120&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886485-02acc9f7cae1d5a29aed82141a6d9dff/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6087945/New-York/Niagara-Falls-district-says-30-million-capital-program-is-on-track-Abbott-paving-change-order-goes-to-board-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087945-5ebcaea1684af7d2919b8cfa1936456c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093204&Signature=GA8McrzTviWx2aXxR6UKATq~B7gRljqDA5x~S2oAUD-VKP0teI7P5AdShp5FeSGq-6XcZ0cWiJJJty7raFLdd-YPsxMFTsSXnP-xcR4D~DB8fwE1pBnP-vr2W1wJvrWH1Yq7LPqqyvLy-FSVG07y0452IZm0eC6AxJ40QDDwbtmfm0J00xf3JXsQ1fxT4D5eRRP32mBs5WSO66GlzV0TSaiG2WUw~xpjRzVCbTW-S8fMvCz6z0T7QbgDeXm~2dbX9bFRv8xNMzt2Uq8D54~7xev~X8ucnCIN8u8v8o8Q3lxz7LbRpFDRcYZ0jqZtlLc5R5JOdR-wEDA2w2MH38Y4DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Niagara Falls City School District officials told the board at a review session that the district’s $30,000,000 capital program is roughly 80% complete and remains on schedule and under budget.

\"We are over 80% complete on this $30,000,000 capital project,\" Mark Lohrey said at the meeting, thanking contractors and staff for progress on school security vestibules, HVAC work and other projects.

District staff highlighted several sites receiving work: secured double‑door vestibules with a pass‑through window and AI weapons detection at multiple schools; HVAC and chilled‑water system upgrades at Gaskill and LaSalle; a greenhouse at Bond that district staff say will be accessible to students across the district; and new fire doors and building branding at Niagara Falls High School.

Stu (staff member) described the secured vestibule installations and early commissioning work, saying the vestibules are \"going very well\" and that some units will continue through the summer. Earl Bass (district facilities staff) explained upgrades to alarm dialing and monitoring, noting the district is replacing hard copper dialers with cellular and IP dialers and routing alarms through a single call center (RapidSOS) once security installation is complete.

The board was told contractors named during the presentation include Frye, Danforth, Scraffari and MKS; staff also singled out Greater Niagara Mechanical on smaller HVAC work. Bill Zagrafis and Brian Trott were identified by staff as architects involved in the program.

A single owner‑directed change order discussed at the meeting affects Abbott Elementary’s front drive, described by staff as a badly degraded cut‑through used for drop‑off and pick‑up. Staff said a January 2023 water‑main break undermined the underlayment. The district described the affected area as roughly 17,000 square feet and said the recommended change order cost is $28,051.80; officials said there are contingency funds available and that the change order will be sent to the State Education Department for approval if the board approves it next week.

Mark Lohrey said the district expects the capital program to be complete, including punch‑list work and commissioning, by Aug. 31 so state reimbursement paperwork can be filed on schedule and the district can seek the 98% reimbursement it has factored into project planning.

The meeting also included a farewell to project executive Tony Maselli, who staff credited with leading more than $150 million in district construction work during a 12‑year association with the district.

Staff answered technical questions on systems, including glycol use in chillers and sequencing of electrical upgrades tied to National Grid work. Officials said HVAC start‑ups and commissioning were under way where power upgrades were already in place, and that remaining units will be started after the power work is completed.

Next steps: the Abbott repaving change order will appear on next week’s board packet for a formal vote and staff will continue commissioning and remediation work on items such as a Walk of Fame wall where paint defects were reported.","District staff told the Board the $30 million capital program is about 80% complete, with secured vestibules, a district greenhouse and HVAC upgrades under way; an owner‑directed change order to repave a damaged Abbott drive (about 17,000 sq ft) for $28,051.80 will be on the agenda for a vote next week.","actionData","errors"]

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District proposes budget using reserves, avoids raising levy; Head Start funding trimmed and audit paperwork flagged

Niagara Falls district says $30 million capital program is on track; Abbott paving change order goes to board next week