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‘Walk the World’ celebration lauded; parents urge Eid recognition and ask budget questions
Summary
Board members praised the district’s Walk the World cultural fair and screened student videos; public commenters later urged the board to formally recognize Eid on the school calendar and asked for clarity on program reviews and superintendent compensation.
Board members and community volunteers spent the start of the April 23 meeting praising Walk the World, a cultural fair at Niagara Falls High School, and thanked staff and hundreds of student volunteers involved in the event.
Mallory Leo, who presented videos from students and volunteers, told trustees the event grew each year and highlighted the student-produced video by Leo Nadrowski. Board members and attendees described the event as culturally responsive and a strong example of student and community engagement.
Later, during oral communications, Dr. Tina Schultz of the Niagara Community Information Group urged the board to explain its public process for reviewing programs in the budget and asked whether the incoming superintendent’s salary will be higher than the current superintendent’s; she requested a public justification if that is the case. "If you don't answer now, we'll put it in writing and have it on public record," she said, asking for follow-up.
Sajida Rahman, president of the Hyde Park Elementary Schools Parent Engagement Group, asked the board to recognize Eid on the district calendar and said a petition she circulated had more than 250 signatures. Rahman said recognition or an adjusted schedule would avoid forcing Muslim students to choose between school and religious observance, and framed the request as an equity issue.
Other public speakers invited board members to community events and noted partnerships and programs (including a Shoes That Fit partnership and a financial literacy fair). The superintendent said the district has added summer and expanded in‑year programming in the proposed budget and acknowledged student petitions on calendar inclusivity; he said he expects those topics to be raised again as the calendar and budget process continue.
What happens next: the board will hold a public hearing on May 7 on the budget and safety plans, and community members said they will follow up in writing or return to the board if their concerns are not addressed.
