schools

A former Batavia Middle School teacher is being honored by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association as a Distinquished Alumni of the Year.

Rosa LaSorte Rich, currently living in Brockport, taught at the school from 1973 to 1989.

Richard Boardman, a 1963 SUNY Brockport graduate who met her in 1959 as one of his class advisors and has since followed with admiration her professional and volunteer career.

“I can’t come up with one special act or accomplishment, because there are many, but the success of each was the result of the accumulation of the smaller, day-to-day positive contributions she makes, which are necessary to make individuals and society better,” Boardman wrote in his nomination letter.

The $3.26 million Genesee Community College budget received unanimous County Legislature support tonight.

The spending plan includes a commitment from the county for an additional $50,000 in spending in 2010, even though the county has not yet begun work on the 2010 budget.

"Higher education, with the way the economy is, is very important to people who need help in getting a job or keeping a job," said Ed DeJaneiro.

Both County Manager Jay Gsell and Legislator Charles Zambito noted that the county's contribution to GCC is among the lowest of any county in the state to a community college, as a percentage of the college budget.  Gsell also said after the meeting that GCC's students get one of the more affordable college educations in the state because GCC's coverage area is bigger than just one county.

The county's contribution to the spending plan will be $1,936,374.

Zambito spoke highly of GCC's efforts.

"Enrollment is the highest it's ever been and it's expected to be higher next year," Zambito said. "At a time when every other college is raising tuition, GCC is making a concerted effort not to increase tuition."

Students will pay $1,700 per semester in the coming academic year, or $140 per credit hour for part-time students.

First graders from 10 Genesee County area schools got to learn all about cows and dairy products today at Lamb Farms in Oakfield.

It's the second year the annual First Graders Dairy Day has been held at Lamb Farms.

Jonathan Lamb said not only do the students learn about dairies, but the parents who come along also enjoy the day and learn more, as well.

"In dairy farming we need to do a better job of educating the public," Lamb said. "Lots of times we fall short in that area."

Robin Keller, president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and a dairy farmer herself, said Lamb does a lot to support kids in the county.

"Jonathan is one of those guys who likes to volunteer and work with kids," she said.

Pictured above is Larry Burrows. He is explaining cow feeding and care to one group of kids.

Some 600 to 800 children attended the event this morning, Lamb said.

The story of Geoffrey Balkam dying has nothing to do with Genesee County. Or maybe it has much to do with Genesee County.

Reading the story I thought about the little dust up we had earlier in the week about a Pavilion superintendent earning a rather sizable paycheck.  Residents from Pavilion defended the salary, saying Ed Orman has done a great job for many years.

The Climax-Scotts school district in Michigan is now wondering what it's going to do with out Balkam, who has led the school district through some tough times, including recent economic constraints.

The untimely death of Superintendent Geoffrey Balkam not only is a personal tragedy for Climax-Scotts Community Schools, but could hasten the demise of a small, rural district already struggling to survive.

"The fear is real. There's no denying it," said Climax-Scotts athletic director Kevin Langs, who delivered the eulogy at Balkam's memorial service Tuesday.

"I don't know what the future holds. I don't," Langs said. "I believe, and Geoff felt the same way, that there is a niche in today's world for small, rural public schools. But just because I believe that doesn't mean it will happen."

The story kind of illustrates the idea that the complexity of running a school district is not necessarily tied to the number of students in the district. Small, rural districts have their own unique challenges.

Business First takes a look at tax-relief recommendations encouraging mergers between smaller school districts, and comes up with a list of 13 potential consolidations in WNY, among them Elba and Oakfield-Alabama.

Elba/Oakfield-Alabama

Enrollment is 35 percent lighter in Elba (537 students) than in any other Genesee County district. The closest option for consolidation is 10 minutes down the road in Oakfield-Alabama (990). The resulting district (1,527) would still have fewer students than nearby Batavia.

WBTA has an update on Pavilion School Superintendent Ed Orman's $183,000 salary:

Orman's salary can be attributed to his longevity, 15 years on the job, and for many years he was both superintendent and business manager, said Pavilion School Board President Beck Lewis

Orman retires next month.

The new superintendent, Ken Ellison, will earn $125,000, which is comparable to administrators in other small districts.

WBTA Reports: Pavilion Central School Superintendent Edward Orman earns $183,000 per year.

That makes him the 4th highest paid school administrator in WNY, even though Pavilion, with 900 students, is among the smallest districts in the region.

All eight school budgets up for vote yesterday won in their respective districts by comfortable margins, according to results posted on WBTA's site.

Batavia's budget passed 323 to 131.

In the only contested school board race in the county, Terrence Krajewski beat out Jeanne Walton for a seat on the Alexander board of education, 137 to 120. Sixteen school board members were elected without opposition.

Elba approved a bus purchase, 121 to 27. Pavilion voters also passed a proposition to purchase a bus, 191 to 93.

Pembroke agreed to a contract with the Corfu Library (373 to 135) and passed a proposition to purchase buses, 377 to 134.

Le Roy also approved its library budget 424-106.

Today is the day to weigh in on school spending through out Genesee County, with several districts holding budget votes this afternoon and evening.

In Batavia, voters are being asked to approve a .33 percent tax increase to fund a $39.9 million budget.

Three incumbent school board member are also up for re-election, all running unopposed: Gail Stevens, Gary Stich and Andrew Pedro.

Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m.

In Alexander, there is no change in the tax levy and the budget stands at $16.8 million. Polls are open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In Byron-Bergen, the $19.4 million budget does not include a change in taxes. Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

In Elba, the spending plan is up 1.9 percent for a $9.9 million budget. Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m.

In Le Roy, No tax increase in the $21 million budget. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

In Oakfield-Alabama, taxes will climb less than 2 percent for a $16.8 million budget.

In Pavilion, No tax increase. Spending: $16.3 million. Noon to 9 p.m.

In Pembroke, taxes will go down by 1 percent and proposed spending drops 2.3 percent for a $19.3 million budget. Voting: Noon to 9 p.m.

Students of Genesee County College should be relieved to know there will be no tuition increase for the 2009-2010 school year.

The board of trustees announced the proposed budget Monday. The county legislature will now be asked to approve the spending plan.

The $32.6 million budget holds full-time tuition at $1,700 per semester while part-time students will continue to pay $140 per hour.

The budget includes plans to open a new campus in Lima this fall as well as moving the college's school of nursing to a new Med Tech Park that will be constructed on the south side of Hawley Drive.

Most of the $1.8 million in additional costs in the budget are due to increases in energy cost, insurance, telecommunications and state-mandated increases in faculty and staff retirement contributions, as well as normal salary changes.

The full press release from the college after the jump:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees announced Monday evening that the College will not increase tuition during the 2009-2010 academic year. Under the 2009-2010 budget adopted that evening, tuition for full-time students will remain $1,700 per semester. Part-time students will continue to pay $140 per credit hour. The Board met at the Batavia Campus for its regular monthly meeting.

The $32.6 million spending plan will now be submitted to the Genesee County Legislature for approval. Genesee County is the College's sponsor.

Trustees wanted to keep college costs to students and parents as low as possible during these economically challenging times, according to Board of Trustees Chair Laurie J. Miller.

The 2009-2010 budget includes the cost of opening of a new campus center in Lima this fall, as well as relocating the College's recently-expanded School of Nursing to the new Med Tech Park slated for construction on the south side of Hawley Drive across from the Batavia Campus. The College expanded its nursing program from 72 incoming students to 120 incoming students last year, and now offers the full range of nursing courses during the fall and spring semesters. The relocated nursing facility will also accommodate the College's growing LPN-to-RN program, which allows licensed practical nurses to complete the course of study necessary for a nursing degree and registered nurse status.

Most of the $1.8 million in additional costs in the new budget is due to significant increases in the costs of energy, general insurance, health insurance, telecommunications, state-mandated increases in faculty and staff retirement contributions, and ordinary salary and wage adjustments. Despite the College's record-breaking enrollment during the 2008-2009 year, the budget calls for a net increase of only one faculty position - the Board added four new positions and eliminated three positions as the result of retirements and discontinued programs. The College is moving a half-time admissions counselor to full-time status to help serve the rapidly growing number of applicants, President Stuart Steiner said. The College is also planning to add a career coach who can help students in area high schools with educational and job planning. The College posted record enrollment of 6,672 during this year's fall census. Another record-breaking spike is possible this fall, Dr. Stein! er said.

At the request of the Student Government Association, trustees voted to increase the student activity fee by $14 per semester for full-time students, to $118, and $7 per semester for part-time students, to $22. Student fees cover the cost of student clubs and organizations, out-of-class activities, and bus service between the Batavia Campus and bus stops throughout the Batavia area.

The budget also includes a request to Genesee County to increase the County's college appropriation by $50,000, to $1,936,374. Even with the adoption of this increase, Genesee County would still have the second-lowest level of community college sponsor support in the entire State University of New York.

Dr. Steiner called the 2009-2010 budget "thoughtful and prudent."  "We are maintaining our longstanding record of fiscally conservative spending, while protecting the academic programs that have boosted our reputation across the United States." Dr. Steiner noted that Genesee's cost per student, of just over $7,100, is among the lowest in the SUNY system and about 20% below the SUNY average.

The current recession ironically helped the Board of Trustees meet its flat-tuition goal. A growing number of students are seeking affordable college education, and these students bring added tuition revenue to the College, Dr. Steiner noted. Also, despite worries that state aid to community colleges might be cut this year, the State Legislature and Governor decided to use federal economic stimulus money to maintain state funding at current levels. "Every budget we develop is a challenge, but overall we are pleased with the outcome of our budget preparation this year," Dr. Steiner said.

In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:

• Promoted six members of the faculty:  Kathleen A. Kimber, from Associate Professor of Spanish, to Professor of Spanish; Christine Belongia, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, to Associate Professor of Teacher Education; Michelle D. Abdella, Instructor of Mathematics, to Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Elise C. Banfield, Instructor of Psychology, to Assistant Professor of Psychology; Cheryl A. Corke, Instructor of Accounting, to Assistant Professor of Accounting; and Patricia J. Kendall-Cargill, Instructor of Nursing, to Assistant Professor of Nursing.

• Authorized President Stuart Steiner to negotiate and execute a new three-year contract with AVI Foodsystems, Inc. to operate the College's food service and vending operations, upon the recommendation of an ad-hoc Food Service Committee.  AVI currently provides these services, and the company's current contract expires June 30. Under the new contract, AVI Foodsystems has committed $108,000 in capital improvements to the kitchen and cafeteria area.

• Authorized President Steiner to negotiate and execute a new five-year contract with SunGard Higher Education Managed Services, Inc. to provide technology services to the College.  The current SunGard contract expires August 31.  SunGard has been the College's technology partner since 1979, and manages the College's computer and telecommunications infrastructure. The new $1.75 million annual contract will add computer help desk support for all students, and expand the help desk to a 24/7 operation.  This will result in considerable savings to the College, while providing more services to students, Dr. Steiner said.

• Approved a "Negative Declaration" for the upcoming athletic fields and gymnasium capital projects. The "Negative Declaration," made under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, reflects the Board's conclusion that the projects will have no significant effect on the environment and no major adverse impact on the environment.

• Heard Board Chair Laurie J. Miller appoint a three-person Nominating Committee to recommend board officers for the 2009-2010 year. Appointed to the Nominating Committee were Melvin J. Wentland, Glenn R. Morton, and Marcia H. Noonan. Board officers will be elected at the Board's annual meeting in July.

• Presented "Certificates of Completion" to eight students from earthquake-ravaged Sichuan Province of China, recognizing the year they spent at Genesee.  The eight students were among the "China 150" group invited by the State University of New York to attend a year of college at SUNY campuses.  All of the students will continue their studies in China, and have made public service commitments to help rebuild their communities.  Professor of English Charley Boyd and Director of Human Services Programs Connie Boyd, who spent much time with the Chinese students over the last year, showed video clips of the students to the Board.

• Heard President Stuart Steiner report that James Goodwin has been appointed Director of Curriculum and Review. Mr. Goodwin has served as Instructor of Mathematics and Chemistry since 2006. Mr. Goodwin has been developing curricula for a new Veterinary Technology Program the College hopes to establish in the next several years. He is a native of Australia. Dr. Steiner also noted that Yolonda Johnson will join the staff as Project Coordinator of the Finger Lakes WIRED grant program. She has been a training specialist with the Catholic Youth Organization, a probation assistant with the Monroe County Probation and Corrections Department, and a department director for the Advocacy Center in Rochester. She has also been a member of Rochester Institute of Technology's adjunct faculty.  She holds an A.S. degree from Monroe Community College, and B.A. and M.P.A. degrees from SUNY College at Brockport.

• Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Dr. Virginia M. Taylor report that 2,680 individuals have applied to Genesee for admission as full-time students during the fall 2009 semester as of May 5, up 10.2% from the 2,430 individuals who had applied one year ago. Two hundred thirty nine individuals had applied for admission as part-time students, up 5.6% from the 226 individuals who had applied a year ago. President Stuart Steiner said that the summer semester and fall semester enrollment will probably once again break records. Summer course registrations are running 8 ½% over last year's registrations, while fall registrations are running 11 ½ percent over last year's.

Derek Hagen submitted this video with the following message.

Okay I go to Pembroke Jr/Sr high school and me and my friends made a video entry to submit to the Digital Media Arts Festival and its run by BOCES and they had disqualified our video, only 16 days before the competition. I was just wondering if you could post the video and see if users agree or disagree that it should have been disqualified.

I immediately e-mailed Derek to find out why the video was disqualified. He has not responded.

This morning I spoke with Gary Mix, superintendent of the Pembroke Central School District. He wasn't aware of this particular video or why it was disqualified.

If you watch the video, you might pick up on three possible reasons: portrayal of a drunk student, the murder/suicide theme or the overall quality of the production.

Sharon Kaiser, coordinator, learning technologies at BOCES said she was aware of the video but didn't know it had been disqualified or why, she said. She said she wasn't handling that part of the festival.

Mix noted that Supreme Court cases have upheld a school's right to limit student expression in school sponsored activities. Reasons for limiting speech can include vulgarity, sexual innuendo and of course the school maintains an anti-alcohol and anti-drug stance.

"Over the years there has been a perception that students have unlimited free speech," Mix said, "but there are some constraints."

He added, "What I hope would not get lost in the discussion is that through the Media Arts Festival there is a tremendous opportunity to integrate across curriculum. We can include literature, social studies, arts and music and give students a chance to showcase their creativity. It's a tremendous opportunity for students."

The large corner desk was covered with at least 10 stacks of paper. But Pamela Buresch doesn't panic at the sight or the cluttered book shelves or the memo board tacked over with stuff.

As administrator of student assessment and data analysis for the Batavia City School District, she's responsible for oodles of projects linked to these paper trails. And she says she knows what's in each pile.

"I love my job," she said with a warm smile and a calm, focused attitude.

These days, the lifelong educator is busy coordinating district and state assessment programs for pre-K through 12th grade. The work involves analyzing test scores, student results, state reporting and testing protocols. She also looks at data to determine where students did well or need further instruction.

State assessments are conducted each year in grades 3 to 12 to measure how well students are learning. There was testing in January and there will be more this month as well as in June and August.

When it comes to testing, Buresch analyzes each question. If students do poorly on a test she looks at all angles. How was the question worded? How much of this was covered in class? The answers help educators improve the tests.

Superintendent Margaret Puzio said student achievement data plays an increasingly important role in educational reform.

“Our new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is known for using academic performance data to innovate," said the superintendent. "He closed down poor-performing schools in Chicago based on data and reopened them with new staff. For example, a doctor consults blood test results before treating a patient. In education, we need to know what students already know before we try to teach them.”

Buresch agreed.

“For us, it’s all about the learning,” Buresch said. “It’s all about using the data to help the students improve.”

New York now has so-called Value-added Growth Reporting. It asks administrators to examine each student individually instead of grouping them by grade or class.

When assessing a child's progress over time, they can compare, say, his or her progress in fourth grade to what it was in third.

The school report cards are published twice a year and are now available online. They are one tool in gauging abilities and achievement gaps when considering ethnicity, economic status, English proficiency and disabilities.

Over the years, each of Batavia’s schools have been named among the high-achieving, gap-closing schools.

Getting out and visiting these classrooms is something Buresch does eagerly. She says it reminds of her of the days when she was the principal of Batavia High School.

“I miss it,” she said about the daily interaction with students. “(But) it’s nice to still have an impact (as an administrator). ... I really love it, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else."

Andrea Bennion is a fourth grader at Jackson Elementary with a passion to get involved, and it influences her actions in and outside of school.

Her talents range from playing the flute in band, piano at home, earning awards in Girl Scouts, entering book competitions, swimming at GCC and soccer in the summer.

Bennion's mother Brenda was thrilled to find out her daughter was selected as a top scholar for The Batavian. You could see how proud she was by watching her expression as her daughter talked about all the activities she is involved in.

"She is an all around good girl," said Bennion's mother. "She is my energizer bunny, she keeps me going."

Bennion is a go-getter and is very humble in all she does. Piano is her favorite instrument to play and she hopes to one day learn to play the guitar like her father, Mike.

She loves all the projects assigned in fourth grade and is excited to attend middle school because her sister has told her many great things about it.

When Bennion isn't playing an instrument or competing in the Page Turners Competition, she can be found in the kitchen cooking omelets and pancakes, or if she isn't cooking  she munches her favorite foods: bacon or Chinese.

She loves reading The Tinkerbell series books because she enjoys getting to know all the different fairy characters.

In the summer she will be out on the soccer field hoping she doesn't see any snakes. Snakes are her greatest fear, and she would definitely scream if she saw one.

One day we could see Bennion being a kindergarten teacher or an artist. Which ever she picks she will go on to do great things, and will always be reminded of her mother's strengths, because her mother is her hero.

Be sure to check out the video of Bennion playing her piano.

Our ND "seniors in the spotlight" - Jill Marshall, daughter of Paul Marshall and Maureen Torrey Marshall of Elba and Kevin Francis, son of Mark and Cindy Francis of Batavia - both recently received the prestigious Ronald McDonald Game Sportsmanship Award for their respective teams during the Saturday, March 28, 2009 Ronald McDonald High School Basketball All Star games held at R.I.T. It is a rarity that two student athletes from the same school are selected to represent their [Genesee Region] league and school in this annual showcase of local basketball talent, much less receive the same prestigious award as a result of their performance in this contest! Congratulation on jobs well done!

Kevin Francis is a very talented student-athlete and has been a stalwart member of our Fighting Irish Football, Basketball and Baseball programs throughout his high school career. He has been a member of our Section V Class D Varsity Football Championship team as a Sophomore and Section V Class D Varsity Baseball Championship team as a Junior earning Sectional [Section V – Rochester Region] patches during both of these seasons. He played a key role in the success of our Fighting Irish Baseball team last year which captured the NYS Far West Regional championship and advanced to the NYSPHSAA “Final 4” at SUNY Binghamton last June. Kevin earned a spot on this year's 2009 Section V Class D- All Star team for his exemplary play during our recently concluded season. Regardless of the sport, Kevin can always be counted on to play hard and give it his all. He consistently plays within the parameters of the rules and lets his performance on the field or court “speak for itself.” Kevin has been a very unselfish team member throughout high school and makes everyone else that much better by his presence in a line up. He was selected to receive the "Birdseye Player of the Year" in the Genesee Region by a vote of league coaches in addition to being selected to play in this year's Ronald McDonald High School Boys All Star Basketball contest!

Kevin is also the type of student who is capable of “stepping up” and taking on leadership roles. A two time Genesee Region All-Star in both football and basketball, Kevin is a leader by example both on and off the field of play. He has captained each varsity sport that he has competed in during his Junior and Senior years at Notre Dame. He is a role model for all of the younger student-athletes in our athletic programs. 

An individual who enjoys spending time helping others, Kevin has volunteered to assist others through his involvement with Salvation Army bell ringing at Christmas time, reffing grade school basketball games and assisting veterans at the Batavia Veterans Administration Hospital and Home.

Kevin is considering attending St. John Fisher College in Rochester, SUNY Fredonia and D’Youville College in Buffalo and is interested in pursuing a degree in business administration. He also has aspirations of continuing his football and/or basketball career at the collegiate level.

Jill Marshall has a never-ending thirst for knowledge and exhibits an outstanding work ethic on a daily basis at Notre Dame. She is the type of student that any instructor would love to have based on her appreciation for education and willingness to work hard to achieve her goals. She is the type of individual who is not afraid to challenge herself academically having spent the second semester of her Junior year as a Page for United States Representative Louise Slaughter in Washington, DC, as well as having taken summer courses at Cornell and Georgetown Universities.

A very well rounded individual and member in good standing of the National Honor Society, Jill served as her Class President during her 9th, 10th and 11th grade years at Elba. She is currently a contributing member of our Notre Dame Environmental Club, as well as our ND Mission Club and SADD organization during her senior year, as well as a member of the Genesee County Youth Court, a position to which she was appointed in December 2008.

A very talented student-athlete, Jill has been an integral part of our highly touted Fighting Irish Varsity Girls Cross Country and Basketball teams during the 2008-2009 school year. She has received numerous individual Genesee Region honors in Basketball and Soccer, as well as Section V NYSPHSAA All Star recognition in both Cross Country this past fall and in Basketball twice - once at Elba and this season at ND. She [like Kevin Francis] is the consummate team member, sacrificing individual recognition for the success of a team victory and was a fitting representative to this year's Ronald McDonald High School Girls All Star game from the GR league. She makes everyone better just by being in the lineup. She is a leader by example and has achieved prestigious NYSPHSAA student athlete status (minimum 90% team average) during each varsity sports season she has played during her combined high school career at Elba and Notre Dame.

Jill plans to continue her education at Cornell University while pursuing a degree in the area of nutritional science next fall.

The Notre Dame Family is proud to salute Kevin Francis and Jill Marshall as our spotlighted seniors for the month of April 2009 and wish them the best of luck next year at the collegiate level!!!

Pictured: Jill Marshall ‘09 and Kevin Francis ‘09

www.ndhsbatavia.com