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Niagara Falls board approves consent agendas, rescinds interdistrict open‑enrollment policy and appoints expulsion hearing designee
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Summary
At its April 8 meeting the Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education unanimously approved consent agendas, rescinded a policy on interdistrict open enrollment for financial reasons, appointed Jeff Ferguson of the Summit ESC as the expulsion‑appeal hearing officer at no cost, and approved an out‑of‑state band trip to Florida.
The Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education on April 8 approved multiple consent agendas, rescinded a policy on interdistrict open enrollment and named an outside hearing officer to handle expulsion appeals.
The board, called to order at 5:30 p.m., adopted the agenda and the consent items in a single motion and roll‑call vote. Clerk recorded that board members Gomez, Harris, Schaefer, White and Zimmerman each voted “Aye.”
Superintendent and treasurer business approved under the consent agendas included personnel recommendations for extended school‑year staffing and preschool assessments, donations from local organizations and contract renewals. Treasurer/CFO noted several donations to the Black Tiger Family Center and other community partners; the board discussed program details and thanked staff for the work on family‑center birthday kits.
In policy business the board voted to rescind Section J (students) policy JECBB on interdistrict open enrollment and moved several personnel and student policies to second reading and adoption. A board member characterized the change as difficult but necessary “for our financial situation.” The rescission passed on a unanimous roll call.
After discussion about appeals procedures for expulsions, the board voted to appoint Jeff Ferguson of the Summit Educational Service Center as the district’s expulsion appeal hearing officer. Board members said the ESC offers the service at no cost to the district; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
The board also approved an out‑of‑state field trip for the high school marching band to travel to Florida. Members discussed fundraising plans and confirmed that the district packet did not list a district cost for the trip at the time of the vote.
What happens next: rescinded and revised policies will be reflected in future meeting materials; the appointed hearing officer will be used for expulsion appeals unless the board elects otherwise. The board adjourned to executive session after the public business portion of the meeting.
Quotes from the meeting: Chair (reading agenda items) said the consent agenda mechanism allows “all items [to be] adopted by 1 singular motion.” Treasurer/CFO noted community support for student programs and donations. A board member told colleagues, “we take no joy in this, but … we feel it's necessary for our financial situation,” when discussing enrollment policy changes.
Votes at a glance: all motions recorded in the packet were approved by unanimous roll calls (members recorded as voting “Aye”: Mister Gomez; Mister Harris; Missus Schaefer; Missus White; Missus Zimmerman).
