Superintendent outlines playground grants, safety work and upcoming budget schedule; family support center wins United Way recognition

Superintendent (name not listed in the transcript) told the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District Board that the district will seek Niagara River Greenway host-community funds for playground replacements at three elementary schools and for a Cayuga Creek educational boardwalk, and provided updates on safety, budget planning and recent recognitions.

"Within the next calendar year, maybe calendar year and a half, because all this stuff has to go through the education department," the Superintendent said, describing the expected timeline for approvals and installation after Greenway approval. The board was told that Colonial Village, Eric Road and West Street elementary schools are slated for playground replacements funded primarily from Greenway host-community monies; Tuscaroras playground is expected to be funded directly by New York State via funds requested in the districts capital priorities submission.

Nut graf: The superintendents report combined facilities and safety updates with budget planning and community recognition, including a family support center award and a town grant that the superintendent said will support family services.

Playgrounds and Cayuga Creek: The Superintendent said "about, a little over half of that is for our playgrounds" from the Greenway host-community funds, with the remainder directed to work along Cayuga Creek that would include an educational boardwalk, sampling access for students and a small bridge to property owned by the NWA (as described in the meeting). District staff noted that several playgrounds have required recent repairs for safety reasons and that new equipment will be "as much or more" than what currently exists to ensure equitable upgrades across sites.

School safety and reunification: The district outlined work on its student reunification procedures and the phased rollout of the Raptor reunification app. The Superintendent said the district has tested reunification following events such as flooding and an accidental lockdown and cited the I Love You Guys Foundation materials as a planning resource. Tom Stack was identified in the transcript as taking the lead on reunification at incident sites; the high school received initial Raptor training and each school will receive a second phase focused on using the app.

Budget planning and events: The board was told Dr. Rick Timbs, the districts financial consultant for long-range planning, will present at the next meeting. The superintendent also announced the Niagara Orleans School Boards Association legislative breakfast is Jan. 25 at Niagara Falls High School, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with an RSVP deadline of Jan. 17.

Awards and community grants: Kara Kirk, director of the districts family support center as identified in the transcript, was reported to have received two pieces of good news: the family support center was chosen for a United Way of Greater Niagara "Shining Star" recognition, and the Town of Niagara again provided a grant to the family support center.

The superintendent closed with brief acknowledgements of recent student performances and a note that the boys wrestling team won the Section 6 Division I dual championship.

Ending: District leaders said further details and formal approvals (for example, Greenway funding and state education approvals) must follow before projects begin.