Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent

Volume 2, Issue 34 (May 6, 2022)

There Will Be No Video Update This Week

2022-23 Budget



The proposed 2022-23 Ken-Ton School District budget will be presented to voters for their consideration on Tuesday, May 17th during the annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election. The Board of Education and district administration worked hard to create a fiscally responsible spending plan that keeps the tax levy below the property tax cap, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. It also preserves and improves educational programming for students. Our most important responsibility is to provide students with the best, most equitable education possible and the 2022-23 budget is designed to maintain and enhance opportunities for all students. The budget includes strategic investments in several different areas:

• Expansion of our mental health staff and new partnerships with community organizations to enhance our social-emotional support services and best address the needs of students and families.
• Expansion of our Big Picture Program at Kenmore Middle School, which has been extraordinarily successful in guiding students to graduation, to include seventh grade beginning in September.
• Maintaining our district focus and achieving the Board of Education reduced class sizes as a priority.
• Continued enhancement of our technology infrastructure to leverage the thousands of additional devices secured during the pandemic.
• Additional improvements and enhancements in curriculum and instruction such as the implementation of a new state-of-the-art STEM science curriculum.

The development of the 2022-23 budget was a team effort led by Assistant Superintendent for Finance Nicole Morasco. Budget planning is a comprehensive process that takes into account a multitude of factors that will impact expenses and revenue projections for the coming year as well as years to come. We pay close attention to the district's five-year financial plan, which helps us understand the long-term impact of budgeting decisions.

Our strategic plan, the Ken-Ton Forward, remains at the center of our planning. The Ken-Ton Forward is our long-term blueprint to ensure continuous improvement throughout our system. The plan encompasses goals and strategies in five core areas: Instruction for All Students, Technology, Social Emotional Health & Wellness, Community Engagement, and Finance, Safety & Operations. The Ken-Ton Forward is a cyclical process of improvement and will continue to be central in all budget planning and decision making.

The district remains committed to openness and transparency and detailed information on the budget can be found at www.ktufsd.org/budget. This includes the 2022-23 Budget Book, a comprehensive document that provides line-by-line budgeting information for the coming year. More information will also be presented at the Budget Hearing, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, May 10th in the Kenmore Middle School Community Room. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17th at Hoover Middle School (use the Sheridan Drive entrance). I encourage all residents to learn about the budget and participate in this important vote.

KENMORE EAST: The extraordinary talents of students in the Kenmore East High School Tri-M Music Honor Society were featured at their annual Spring Recital at Buffalo State College’s Ciminelli Recital Hall. The recital featured performances by string, band, vocal, and piano students who performed repertoire from a variety of genres and styles. Students were accompanied on piano by Edison music teacher Elizabeth Ruth and Kenmore East teacher Laura Eisenhauer. Special thanks also go out to Buffalo State College for allowing Tri-M to perform in this truly state-of the art facility! The recital was livestreamed and is still available to watch on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/e1s1Kl_1-04

EDISON ELEMENTARY: Third- and fourth-grade students at Edison Elementary School had the opportunity to attend an exciting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Night on April 28th. This event provided participating students with the opportunity to explore a variety of STEM topics by completing various activities. These activities included coding with Ozobots and Spheros, building cup towers, making paper airplanes, creating aluminum foil boats, and demonstrating their problem-solving skills in challenges such as "Bob for Apples" and "Save Fred." Students had a great time participating in these fun and educational hands-on activities.

FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY: Congratulations to Franklin Elementary fourth-grade students who won second place in the Rain Barrel Decorating Contest sponsored by the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning! The contest took place in March with schools throughout Western New York submitting protographs of their specially decorated rain barrels. For the contest, Franklin Elementary was provided with a 55-gallon syrup barrel that they converted into a usable rain barrel to collect and store rainwater to reduce water pollution and protect our waterways. The students chose to decorate their barrel with grass, flowers and the words "Let it rain." Submissions were judged based on how well the design fit the theme as well as creativity and neatness. Not only does Franklin Elementary get to keep the rain barrel but the school will also receive a $200 award.

KENMORE EAST: On March 24th, Kenmore East celebrated its World Languages Honors Societies Induction Ceremony to honor students for their achievements in French, German and Spanish. It was a particularly special night since it was the first ceremony to take place since 2019. Because last year’s ceremony could not take place, both juniors and seniors were inducted into the honor societies with seniors also receiving their honor cords which they will be able to wear at graduation. In order to be eligible for membership in the world languages honor societies, students must have studied their language of choice for at least three semesters in high school, have at least a 90 percent average in their world language classes, have at least an 85 percent average in all subjects, and possess a keen interest and passion for learning language and culture. These three organizations honor achievements in both language and high school studies. Being a member is a significant advantage when applying to colleges and universities, and it opens many doors because of the importance of strong language skills.

RECOGNITION: TEACHERS

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week, an opportunity to reflect on the incredible work of our educators and the critical role they play in our students’ development and growth. It is always important to recognize their great work and this year is no exception. Our teachers have demonstrated outstanding creativity, dedication, compassion, and resilience over these past two challenging years.

The Ken-Ton School District has always been known for its world-class teachers. Our educators truly embrace teaching as a lifestyle. They are committed to professional development to advance their skills and find new ways to engage and educate their students. They always take ownership over the academic and social-emotional success of our students and make them feel cared for and special every day. They also demonstrate care and concern for the welfare of students, families and their fellow staff. Teachers in Ken-Ton share a dedication to the entire community.

Please join me in recognizing our teachers for their wonderful work. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude for everything they do to help build a bright future for all our students.

UPCOMING DATES

• Tuesday, May 10: Board of Education Meeting & Budget Hearing (6:30 p.m. Kenmore Middle School Community Room)
• Friday, May 13: Elementary School Gr. K-4 Early Release Day (12:40 p.m. Dismissal)
• Tuesday, May 17: Budget Vote & Board of Education Election (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hoover Middle School - Use Sheridan Drive entrance)