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United Way outlines first‑year results and expanded plan for Erie High community schools
Summary
United Way of Erie County presented its first‑year implementation report for Erie High’s community schools, citing 1,200 engaged individuals and a set of four pillars guiding expanded services next year.
Mike Jaracevich, representing the United Way of Erie County, presented a year‑one review of community‑school implementation at Erie High School and a plan for expansion in 2025‑26.
Jaracevich said the United Way began planning in February 2023 and used a nine‑month data collection and evaluation process that combined quantitative metrics (attendance, discipline, proficiency, graduation and other school data) with qualitative surveys and dozens of focus groups. He said the process engaged about 1,200 unduplicated individuals including students, parents, teachers and community members.
The United Way organized strategies around four pillars identified in the data: (1) Positive environment for wellness and learning (attendance, health supports, school culture); (2) Expanded learning and extracurricular opportunities; (3) School transitions and life preparedness (career readiness and transition planning); and (4) Family and community partnerships.
Jaracevich highlighted several accomplishments during the first year: vision services that supplied eyeglasses to 20 students through a Vision to Learn partnership; a revamped staff lounge/Zen room; a comprehensive community closet for basic needs; expanded extracurricular offerings such as an eSports club; quarterly student celebrations and attendance incentives; a senior spotlight initiative; a career and job fair; and outreach events including National Night Out. He said partners contributed to field trips, college visits and career‑preparation pilots with Erie Insurance.
Jaracevich described next‑year priorities including expansion of the community closet, mobile dental services, additional health and wellness programming, increased out‑of‑school‑time opportunities, two student leadership programs, and strengthened family engagement through events, new student orientations and volunteer alignment.
Principal Orlando (speaking from the floor) said the community‑school partnership “identified the appropriate gaps” and produced tangible results: increased family comfort with the school, higher extracurricular participation and more positive communications and publicity.
United Way and district staff said the community school leadership structure at Erie High includes four community‑school directors, each focused on one pillar. Jaracevich said the initiative will continue to collect quarterly data and adjust strategies as needed. No formal board action or vote was recorded in the meeting on the presentation.
