Superintendent praises student achievements, details community support and partnerships

Superintendent Mister Lohrey used his report to highlight student success, thank staff and volunteers, and outline community partnerships and philanthropic support.

Lohrey congratulated the district's ad hoc student board member for a near-97 average and celebrated student athletes and musicians representing Niagara Falls at regional competitions. He singled out two students — ninth-grader Selena Govern and senior Tori Anne Frank — for upcoming state swimming and diving championships.

Lohrey also reported on district fundraising for Dominic Strangio, a student or staff family member fighting cancer: "The first check... $20,500 was incredible, raised money for Dominic," he said, adding that broader fundraising efforts had raised about $2,021,000 and would continue through June. He described a recent send-off at Niagara Falls High School and praised Cataract Elementary staff for an emotional celebration.

On community partnerships, Lohrey updated the board on Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed deliveries: 50 beds had been delivered as of Dec. 7, another shipment of 50 was expected, and 149 requests remained in the queue. He also outlined plans for community service days with North Tonawanda and Niagara-Wheatfield school districts, where students from the three districts will work together at community mission sites.

Lohrey referenced materials provided to the board addressing questions about the 'Maestro' lawsuit and how much districts have contributed since 2007; he said the materials show steps to come and illustrate how much further ahead the district would be if fully funded by the state.

What happens next: The superintendent's updates indicate continued community fundraising and partnership activity; implementation of contracted services and vendor agreements approved earlier will proceed under district procurement processes.