• <p>H.C. Storm student showing off his excellent reading skills with Board Vice President Jon Gaspar. </p>
  • <p>Another H.C. Storm student revealing his reading chops with Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hichens and Board President Cathy Dremel.</p>
  • <p>Calling all trivia buffs! The Batavia Education Association is holding its first-ever Trivia Night to raise funds for student scholarships. The BEA Trivia night is open to the entire community and will start at 7 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 24 at the Moose Lodge in Batavia.</p>
  • <p>Board Member Bob Baty-Barr is in the holiday spirit. Lookin’ good, Bob!</p>
  • <p>Rotolo Middle School cross country team members presented the Board of Education with a plaque to commemorate their successful 2017 season.</p>
  • <p>RMS cross country coach Mark Montgomery (far right) said a few kind words about Kate Hillman (middle) who is stepping down as head RMS girls cross country coach. She is leaving to spend more time with her young family. She will be missed!</p>
  • <p>The Batavia Arts Council presented a $500 check to Batavia High School theater (Batavia Fine Arts Centre manager Dominic Cattero accepted the check), to enhance student experiences on stage. The Batavia Arts Council also presented a $500 check to the Batavia High School band for the band’s upcoming IMEC performance. </p>

December 20, 2017

Board Highlights: Dec. 19, 2017

The following is a brief recap of the Tues., Dec. 19, 2017, BPS101 Regular Board Meeting.

  • View the agenda and all supporting documents from this meeting and minutes from previous meetings. 
  • View BATV’s recording of the Dec. 19 meeting.
  • View recap of Tues., Nov. 21 Board Meeting.

Celebration: RMS Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams

Rotolo Middle School cross country coaches Mark Montgomery, Kate Hillman, and Bridgett Schmitt introduced the RMS girls and boys cross country teams that not only qualified for this year’s IESA state meet, but also placed in that meet (fourth place for boys and seventh place for girls). Coach Hillman shared that RMS eighth grader Katrina Schlenker broke the state record this year at the IESA state cross country meet. Katrina came home with the state championship title last school year, too, in both Cross Country and Track & Field (800m and 1600m events). At the end of the celebration, the RMS student athletes presented Board Members with a plaque to display at the Rosalie Jones Administration Center. Mark Montgomery shared that this is the final year for Kate Hillman to be coaching the RMS girls cross country team. Mrs. Hillman started the successful cross country program at RMS and will be missed!

Celebration: H.C. Storm/Holmstad Retirement Community Bridges Program

H.C. Storm Elementary School Principal Anne Paonessa and HCS Reading Specialist Breannen Marshall shared with Board Members the success of the “Bridges Program,” which is a partnership between HCS and the Holmstad Retirement Community. Every Friday during the school year, Holmstad residents volunteer their time to come to H.C. Storm Elementary School and read with kindergarten and first-grade students. Mrs. Marshall trains all of the Holmstad volunteers before they work with students. During this celebration, HCS students who are currently reading with Holmstad volunteers, talked about how this reading partnership has helped them. Students also showed off their reading skills by reading to Board Members. The following short video features a few Holmstad volunteers “on the job” and provides a glimpse into the value of this program for both the young readers and the volunteers.

Action: 2018-19 Academic Calendar

Board Members approved the 2018-19 Academic Calendar as presented.

Action: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Board Members approved the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2017 (ended June 30, 2017) as presented.

Action: 2017 Property Tax Levy

The Board of Education approved Administration’s recommended $68 million 2017 Property Tax Levy (the amount of property taxes a school district or other taxing body requests for the next fiscal year, based on its needs). View 2017 Certificate of Property Tax Levy.

Report: Capital Projects Plan for Fiscal Years 2019 – 2022

BPS101 Director of Operations Mark Anderson outlined the projects and schedule for the Capital Projects Plan for Fiscal Years 2019 – 2022, which was created by the BPS101 Capital Projects Committee. Chief Financial Officer Tony Inglese explained that the focus of this plan is on fiscal years 2019 and 2020 and that the new Facilities Committee will be putting together a master framework for fiscal year 2021 and beyond. Mr. Inglese also shared that BPS101 was able to start the Districtwide lighting project earlier than expected, which will result in a $180,000 guaranteed annual energy savings. The Capital Projects Committee is recommending that the Board fold this savings into the annual capital projects budget.

Upcoming Meetings

Regular Board Meeting
Tues., Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

Regular Board Meeting
Tues., Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Regular Board Meeting
Tues., Feb. 20, 7 p.m

All meetings are open to the community and are located at the Rosalie Jones Administration Center, 335 W. Wilson St., Batavia.