Kenmore board approves organizational officers, safety plan, DASNY premium amendment and solar pilot; several policies advanced to first read

The Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Board of Education took multiple formal actions at its July 1, 2025 organizational meeting, carrying all motions as recorded at the session.

Key outcomes included the election of Trustee Matthew Shamara as board president and Trustee Karen Whitelaw as vice president; adoption of the 2025–26 District Safety Plan; approval of a budget amendment reflecting a $3,300,000 premium from DASNY for the 2020 capital project; approval of a solar pilot agreement negotiated through the Erie County Industrial Development Agency; and several personnel and bargaining-unit memoranda of agreement. The board also approved first reads of two new or revised policies: policy 70316 (use of internet-enabled devices) and policy 56.85 (maximum temperature for school buildings and indoor facilities). Motions on the consent agenda — including bid awards and vendor contracts — were carried unanimously.

Several motions included named movers and seconders where recorded. Trustee Floss nominated Matthew Shamara for president (seconded by Trustee Vogt); the board voted “aye” and the motion carried unanimously. Karen Whitelaw’s nomination for vice president received a second from Trustee Floss and was carried unanimously. Superintendent Sabatino Sumato and Assistant Superintendents presented items on the consent agenda and recommended board action where noted.

Budget and finance: Assistant Superintendent Marasco reported a $3.3 million premium from DASNY available for final funding of the 2020 capital project; the board approved a budget amendment to record that premium in the 2024–25 accounts. The board also approved a solar pilot agreement negotiated by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency; Marasco said the pilot applies to assessed value above the existing property assessment and will not change the district’s taxable assessed value for the underlying property.

Personnel and labor agreements: The board approved a memorandum of agreement with the Kenmore Teachers Association (KTA) for the open gate screening process for the 2025–26 school year and an agreement with the KTSEA bargaining unit to add job titles (security officer and senior security officer). The board approved other consensus items including bids for food-service products and routine contracts.

Policy actions: Policy 70316 (use of internet-enabled devices) and policy 56.85 (maximum temperature) were presented and approved for first reading; administration said further procedure work and a required policy by August 1 will follow. On the temperature policy, the superintendent summarized the operational thresholds the policy will use: start mitigation measures at 82°F measured three feet above the floor near the classroom center and vacate instruction at 88°F, pending calibration checks on the Medisys system.

Next steps: Several items were referred to administration for implementation or further procedural development; the superintendent said an additional meeting will likely be called before the August meeting to finalize required policies and possible hires.