Friday, December 20, 2019

Holiday Thoughts: It Takes A Village

This month and throughout the first half of this school year, I find myself using the hashtag #ItTakesAVillage in many of my tweets (I hope you are following me on Twitter). This well-known African proverb essentially means that it is the responsibility of an entire community to look out for and support children so that they experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment.

When I think of our community, and the acts of kindness and generosity from our students, staff and families, especially around this special time of year, I am truly humbled. The spirit of “It Takes a Village” is demonstrated daily in our schools. Recently, we collected snow boots and jackets to provide to students who lack warm winter wear. In October, Spanish teacher Meg Fronczek started a Crocs and Socks campaign after noticing students coming into school on rainy days with wet sneakers and socks. Many of our teachers and support staff stepped up donating hundreds of pairs of socks and Crocs so now our students have access to dry socks and a pair of comfortable Crocs they can borrow during the school day, giving their socks and sneakers or shoes a chance to dry before the walk home.
This December, both our schools (WES, WJSHS) again participated in adopt-a family efforts to purchase gifts for children of local families in need and help make their holidays brighter. Through the adopt-a-family at WJSHS, 45 children from the Watervliet Housing Authority received two to three presents each (toys and clothing) delivered by Santa and Mrs. Claus a week before the holiday. Meanwhile, a total of 40 children were provided gifts between the school and community adopt-a-family effort at Watervliet Elementary School. My sincere thanks to our teachers and staff for their continued support that brings smiles to the faces of some of our neediest students and their siblings.

I tweeted about the many good deeds performed by our students as they gave back to their community throughout December:

WHS students serve holiday lunch at Watervliet Senior Center
The Cannoneer Chorus sings at Watervliet Senior Center
WES student ambassadors deliver holiday beauty to residents of Watervliet Housing
WES students collect pajamas for Unity House

Looking ahead to 2020: Capital Project Vote

Earlier this month, the Board of Education voted on a resolution that would authorize $9.99 million in capital improvements for Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School and Watervliet Elementary School. District residents will have an opportunity to vote on the referendum Tuesday, February 4.

Unlike our last facilities improvements that included big-ticket, highly-visible improvements like the turf field and the track, the project we are proposing now is best described as “no-frills” because it addresses the district’s most immediate facilities needs, as identified in the latest building condition survey: aging infrastructure, and health and safety improvements.

A building condition survey is a thorough inspection conducted by a team made up of at least one architect or engineer and certain district staff. The State Education Department requires all school districts in the state to submit a building condition survey every five years to collect information on the district's infrastructure and prioritize facility needs district-wide. The data collected helps district officials assess current conditions of program spaces and major building systems to prioritize the most essential repairs and restorations.

From January through June, a Facilities Advisory Committee that included school leaders, teachers, maintenance staff, school board members, students and parents, met with our district’s architectural consultants to take a deeper dive into our facility and maintenance needs and make recommendations to present to the Board. Factors considered by the committee included protecting the health and safety of students, staff and school visitors; systems and equipment that have reached or are near the end-of-life expectancy; deteriorating building components; and the ability to service or repair outdated equipment.

The final project scope includes such items as roof replacement at both buildings; replacing elevators at the elementary school and renovating the high school elevator; heating and ventilation systems work; and drainage at the elementary school playground. Visit our website for more information on the project scope

State building aid would cover 95 percent of the cost of the proposed capital project. The remaining 5 percent of the project would be funded through a 1.06% increase in the overall property tax levy, based on the current tax cap data for the district.

We invite you to learn more about the proposed capital project at two presentations scheduled for January 7, 2020 and January 16, 2020 at Watervliet Elementary School. I encourage you to attend and ask questions to make an informed decision when you vote in February.

School Budget Development

Also, in January we will be diving into the 2020-21 school budget development process. The Capital Region BOCES Superintendents’ Legislative Committee, which I help lead with Niskayuna’s superintendent of schools, met recently with NYS Senator Shelly B. Mayer, who chairs the State Senate Education Committee, to discuss foundation aid formula and other educational priorities. This is ahead of Governor Cuomo’s State of the State, which he will deliver in early January. My administrative team and I will pay close attention to that address for information that will guide our budget development for the coming school year. The state reportedly is facing a $6 billion budget gap, so we will have to wait and see how that impacts school aid.

Happy holidays to all!

I hope you will take time this holiday season to reflect upon the positive aspects of your lives, and enjoy the most precious gift of all—time spent with family and friends. May you all enjoy a relaxing and peaceful holiday season.

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