Community Update: 03-14-2025
NCS Community,
I hope this message finds you well. The spring weather that is upon us serves as a reminder that the 24-25 school year continues to move quickly. In just a few days, our spring sports seasons will begin and grades 3-8 NYS testing will also take place, yet another reminder graduation is not far away.
I want to take an opportunity to congratulate all of those who participated in our school musical “Mama Mia” this year. The school and community attendance at this event was remarkable. As always, our student performers amazed us with their versatile talents. Kudos to our stage crew, directors, parent volunteers, and of course Bristol Valley Theatre for once again hosting us this year.
At this point in time, our renovated HS Auditorium is near completion--the space should be fully turned over to the district sometime next week. The finished product strikes a wonderful balance of modernizing this new space while also retaining much of the original aesthetics of the previous space; we are excited for the community to see it! It has been a lengthy project, but without question one that will serve our district and community well for many years to come; we look forward to honoring our 2025 graduates there this year.
Spring time also marks the time of year school districts finalize their budgets for the following school year. A few important dates to note regarding NCS budget and related events:
Then NCS Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 6:00 PM in the HS Auditorium. We welcome and encourage community members to attend.
The NCS Budget Vote will take place on Tuesday, May 20th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM in the HS Library.
As mentioned last month, our district was provided the opportunity to pursue a land purchase from Hazlitt's (south of Lake Niagara Lane). At this week's Board of Education Meeting, a purchase offer resolution was approved by our board. Per NYS school law, land purchases must also be approved by the school community via a proposition vote, and as such this will take place on the same ballot as our May 20th budget vote. As a district, we believe this is worth pursuing for the following reasons:
-Acquisition of this land ensures that the school has a degree of control as to what might occur on that property in the future; this property border is lengthy and only feet from our elementary classrooms and playground. It is an asset from a safety perspective and reduces concerns about unknown types of development (and their impact on the district) going forward.
-It may provide opportunities to enhance our facilities in future years. Athletic field improvement has been an area where improvements have been suggested; many parents and students have expressed interest in exploring this over the years. Further, NYS is requiring school districts and regional BOCES to engage in regionalization initiatives, which is the sharing of services and expansion of program access for students across districts. The NYS Portrait of a Graduate initiative is redefining the pathways by which students can earn a diploma through focus on individual student strengths, exploring new electives, and exposing students to skilled trades and workplace internships. As such, this property could also serve in an instructional capacity in future years. If the district acquired the land, it is important to note that future projects of any type there would need the approval of community voters.
-Assuming a successful proposition vote, there will be no community school tax impact to purchase this property as funds exist in our 2021 capital reserve, which serves as a vehicle to continue to maintain and enhance school facilities based on needs.
Further information regarding the 25-26 school budget, as well as all additional ballot propositions, including the potential purchase of land, will be shared at the budget hearing on May 7th.
Lastly, we are still awaiting to hear more details about Governor Hochul’s proposal of a bell-to bell cell/smart phone ban for schools; she has called for the legislature to include this policy in the state budget. As a district, we remain hopeful that a level of local control will be permitted in terms of how we might navigate policies if adopted. Overall, I believe NCS students are generally demonstrating an appropriate use of these devices, though we do at times see the negative impacts of disruption and issues related to social media. Of course, use of these devices outside of school continues to be a regular part of our society and I appreciate the steps our parents/guardians take to minimize issues, particularly in regard social media use. Once details of any passed legislation are clear, our schools will work with their shared decision-making teams to amend our code of conduct and related policies (as necessary) to ensure adherence to the law. Details about this proposed legislation can be found at:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-unveils-plan-restrict-smartphone-use-schools-statewide-and-ensure-distraction
Kevin Swartz
NCS Superintendent
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