Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
It is with great pride that I write this message during my first week as Superintendent of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District. Growing up in Ken-Ton in the 80s and 90s, I learned the value of hard work and high standards from a very young age. It is evident that these values still exist in Ken-Ton today. I am happy to be home and confident that our future is bright.

Earlier today, I shared a letter with our families and staff that I would also like to share with the entire Ken-Ton School District community. You can find the letter here and at www.ktufsd.org . Please take a few minutes to review this letter. It contains information that I am excited to share with our school district community, including planning that is underway for September.

I am humbled and privileged to begin as your new Superintendent of Schools, and I thank the entire Ken-Ton School District community for your continued support and commitment.

Ken-Ton Weekly Connection:
  • To keep the entire Ken-Ton School District community informed, I will be sending out a weekly update every Friday entitled "Ken-Ton Weekly Connection" with important news and updates and to celebrate all the wonderful work that is taking place by our students, staff, and schools. This update will be used during the school year to communicate about school and community events and partnerships that keep our community Ken-Ton Proud! You can sign up to receive these updates by texting the word “Superintendent” to 22828, or by going to www.ktufsd.org/superintendent.
School Re-Opening Task Force Update
On July 9, the new Ken-Ton UFSD School Re-Opening Task Force met for the first time to establish the structures necessary to complete the work that is to come as we plan for the 2020-21 school year. This group is composed of district administrators and school building principals with several different teams and sub-committees focusing on a multitude of areas of school district operations. Guidance from the New York State Education Department is expected to be released by July 13, and school districts will be asked to submit reopening plans by July 31. We must prepare for three potential models:

  • A return to school in September with full face-to-face attendance and precautions to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff
  • A fully remote and virtual learning environment
  • A blended model, combining elements of the two 

New York State is expected to make a decision on school reopening the first week of August. Ultimately, our plan will need to adhere to local, state, and federal requirements, and the safety of our students and staff is paramount. I will keep our community informed as this process moves forward.

It is very important for the team to understand the needs of the community. In June, a total of 1,800 individuals from the Ken-Ton School District community took part in a regional survey coordinated by several area school district superintendents, which provided very helpful feedback. We are in the process of developing a comprehensive follow-up survey for our students, staff, and families, and expect to launch this survey in the coming week.
Ken-Ton School District Welcomes New Board of Education President, Trustees

The Board of Education held its annual Re-Organizational Meeting on Tuesday, July 7 in the Kenmore Middle School Building Community Room, with careful social distancing precautions while facilitating virtual participation as well. Four individuals, including myself, are embarking on new leadership positions and were administered the Oath of Office. We were very excited to welcome our two new Board of Education members, Trustee Lesley Battaglia and Trustee Jennifer Morrow. We were also very excited to congratulate Matthew Chimera, who was elected to the position of Board of Education President. I look forward to working with President Chimera, Trustee Battaglia, and Trustee Morrow along with the other two dedicated members of our Board of Education, Vice President Andrew Gianni and Trustee Dr. Thomas Reigstad.