Pembroke Central School District https://www.thebatavian.com/ en https://www.thebatavian.com/themes/barrio_batavian/images/thebatavian_logo.png Pembroke Central School District https://www.thebatavian.com/ Local Matters © 2008-2023 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:02:59 -0400 https://www.thebatavian.com/themes/barrio_batavian/images/thebatavian_logo.png Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:57:00 -0400 Pembroke Central Schools to present $27 million budget to voters https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-central-schools-to-present-27-million-budget-to-voters/639136 At Monday's board of education meeting, the Pembroke Central School District board approved a $27,289,194 spending plan for the district.

Pembroke Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the state provided the district with no increase in foundation aid.

He said the tax levy will stay within the tax cap limit, with an increase slightly below the cap for the 13th consecutive year.

"We needed to pair down our initial budget draft by $870,000 to get down to the final number," Calderon said. "Thankfully, no current full-time employees were cut."

The proposed budget will be presented at a public hearing at 6 p.m. on May 14 at Pembroke Central School.

The budget vote is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. noon to 8 p.m. on May 21 in the high school auditorium.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-central-schools-to-present-27-million-budget-to-voters/639136#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-central-schools-to-present-27-million-budget-to-voters/639136 Apr 23, 2024, 6:57pm Pembroke Central School District Pembroke Central Schools to present $27 million budget to voters Howard Owens <p>At Monday's board of education meeting, the Pembroke Central School District board approved a $27,289,194 spending plan for the district.</p><p>Pembroke Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the state provided the district with no increase in foundation aid.</p><p>He said the tax levy will stay within the tax cap limit, with an</p>
Pembroke voters approve pricey capital improvement spending on schools https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-voters-approve-pricey-capital-improvement-spending-on-schools/637012 Voters in the Pembroke Central School District on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved two measures that will authorize the district to make more than $37.5 million in improvements to school facilities.

  • Proposition 1 passed 356 yes to 130 no.
  • Proposition 2 passed 269 yes to 208 no.

Here is a summary of what voters approved.

Prop 1: $35,995,000.  No additional tax impact. The local share is $6.8 million and will be covered by capital reserves.  The balance of the spending plan will be covered by state aid and paying off existing debt.

Prop 1 will: 

  • Enhance the auditorium with new house lighting and new theatre lighting 
  • Enhance the band room with acoustics, instrument storage and sink
  • Install a light pole by the band entrance
  • Renovate the pool and construct a spectator seating addition
  • Renovate the existing gymnasium and surrounding corridors
  • Renovate/relocate the locker rooms and fitness centers
  • Regrade baseball field and install proper drainage, with SOD and infield mix
  • Add/reconfigure bleachers at the main athletic field 
  • Repave the teacher lot and  front circle
  • Install a blue light system 
  • Replace PA/phone system
  • Upgrade the business office mechanical equipment 
  • Construct two permanent walls in Classrooms (500 wing)

The plan includes expanding the gym, which will address the current facility's limited seating capacity and eliminate front-row spectators from having their feet on the court during sporting events.  The upgrade will also include installing a divider curtain, adding concessions, and an upgraded scoreboard.

At the elementary school, the playground will be updated. The current playground was installed in 1995 and has lasted longer than expected, according to district documentation.

The district states:

However, the maintenance required to keep it as safe as possible has become more and more challenging over time. At the end of this past school year, we had limited access to the playground. Then, over the summer, our maintenance department made a number of repairs and alterations to address concerns that were identified by a certified playground inspector. As a result of their hard work, the playground is accessible to students this fall, with the understanding that splinters are an ongoing issue. The repairs were only a short-term fix, so it is time to assess how to repair and/or upgrade the playground more significantly to make it last another 25-30 years.

The total cost of Prop 2 is $1,535,000.  The local share is nearly 100 percent of the projected cost. State aid will cover less than one percent.

According to the district, the tax impact breaks down this way:

  • Senior/STAR, $19 ($1.58 a month)
  • Basic STAR, $30 ($2.50 a month)
  • No STAR, $37 ($3.08 a month).

For more details on the projects, click here.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-voters-approve-pricey-capital-improvement-spending-on-schools/637012#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/pembroke-voters-approve-pricey-capital-improvement-spending-on-schools/637012 Oct 26, 2023, 11:13pm Pembroke Central School District Pembroke voters approve pricey capital improvement spending on schools Howard Owens <p>Voters in the Pembroke Central School District on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved two measures that will authorize the district to make more than $37.5 million in improvements to school facilities.</p><ul><li>Proposition 1 passed 356 yes to 130 no.</li><li>Proposition 2 passed 269 yes to 208 no.</li></ul><p>Here is a summary of</p>
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Returns to Pembroke https://www.thebatavian.com/jazmyne-boozer/dolly-parton-s-imagination-library-returns-to-pembroke/633243 After a short hiatus, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library returns to the Pembroke Central School District. The Kiwanis Club of Pembroke Corfu Darien, along with The Richter Family Foundation, joined forces to reintroduce this free book program to children 5 and under.

Since the beginning of its operations in 2004, the Richter Family Foundation has focused on the needs of children and educators. Now, the foundation has added Pembroke to its long list of school districts it supports.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, created by the country icon herself, was founded on the desire to inspire young children to love reading. Parents who sign their children up will receive one free book a month mailed directly to their home with the child’s name on their new book.

Parents can register online or in person at the Corfu Public Library. To be eligible for this program, children must be between the ages of birth and 5 at the time of registration.

“We’re already signing up children,” Tim Richter, president of the Richter Family Foundation, said. “Anytime [parents] want to sign up, they can sign up. May books are already ordered, so if you sign up today, you would not get your first books until June.”

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https://www.thebatavian.com/jazmyne-boozer/dolly-parton-s-imagination-library-returns-to-pembroke/633243#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/jazmyne-boozer/dolly-parton-s-imagination-library-returns-to-pembroke/633243 Apr 19, 2023, 7:55pm Pembroke Central School District Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Returns to Pembroke jazmyne.boozer_273646 <p>After a short hiatus, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library returns to the Pembroke Central School District. The Kiwanis Club of Pembroke Corfu Darien, along with The Richter Family Foundation, joined forces to reintroduce this free book program to children 5 and under.</p> <p>Since the beginning of its operations in 2004, the</p>
A historical timeline of the Pembroke Central School District https://www.thebatavian.com/session-placeholder/a-historical-timeline-of-the-pembroke-central-school-district/630132
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Greg Kinal taught social studies at Pembroke High School for 52 years.  He's also a history buff, and after his retirement in 2022, for another project, he compiled a history of the school district.  He provided The Batavian with a timeline of the district's history to share with readers.

The Pembroke Central School District- A Timeline

CORFU

  • In the 19th century, rural schoolhouses were strewn across towns and villages. They usually consisted of one-room buildings with a single teacher to teach a number of grade levels.
  • In 1811, the first school opened in the Town of Pembroke. It was private and was operated by Anna Horton. She ran it in her home in the village of Long’s Corners, now named Corfu.
  • In 1814, a village meeting was held to determine the future of education in the village. The meeting was held at the home of Josiah Lee, who was part of a team to accomplish this.
  • By 1819, a log schoolhouse existed on what is today Alleghany Road, the present site of the Pembroke Intermediate School.
  • The year 1820 saw the first public school open in the village of Long’s Corners.
  • The 1860s witnessed Long’s Corners now being called Corfu. In 1867, a new schoolhouse was located in Corfu at 39 South Alleghany Road. James McGraw was the teacher as well as the head of the fledgling district.
  • Twenty years later, the Corfu residents planned a new school. However, there were complications. The school would be built where an existed cemetery was located. So, in 1881, graves were relocated so the new school could be built. The location is the present site of the Intermediate School. The new building was a two-story wood-frame structure with three classrooms on the first floor and a large room upstairs for the high school. The Corfu residents were proud to witness the graduating class in 1884 of just four girls.
  • The 20th century witnessed more school expansion. In 1906, a two-story addition was added to house another elementary classroom, a cloakroom downstairs, another high school room, and a new principal’s office.
  • On June 13, 1906, the Corfu school became an accredited high school and was then known as the Corfu Union Free School District.
  • (Note: A common school district is a school district first created by legislative action back in 1812 to operate elementary schools (kindergarten through eighth grade). Even though they lack the authority to operate a high school, common school districts remain responsible for ensuring a secondary education for their resident children. The term union free school has nothing to do with unions of any kind. A union free school district is a school district generally formed from one or more common school districts to operate a high school program, which common school districts cannot do.)
  • The Corfu school became a teacher training center between 1913 and 1916, to help supply teachers to rural grade schools.
  • In 1930, a moveable building was added to the rear of the Corfu school at a cost of $2,500.
  • In the middle of the Great Depression, the Corfu Union Free School District believed a completely new building was needed to deal with a growing population. The District hired architects Harbach and Kideney to produce plans for the new school. The cost of the new school was $156,363. The new school would be funded in a number of ways. $70,363, or about half the cost would come from a New Deal program called the Public Works Administration, with $86,000 coming from a bond issue paid for by taxpayers.
  • The District believed the best location for the new building would be directly behind the school built in 1881. Ground was broken in January 1935 and the new school was completed on February 1, 1937. The old school was leveled shortly after the new school opened. The Batavia Daily News reported that the new building was a “two-story fireproof structure of red brick trimmed with Indiana limestone, 158 feet wide across the front and 56 feet on the ends and 100 feet deep in the center where the auditorium is located.” This building could house 350 students. In 1940, a new auditorium was added.

EAST PEMBROKE

  • In 1856, a number of “interested and generous citizens” met and pledged $3,413 toward the building of a new school in East Pembroke.
  • On October 7, 1856, the Old Rural Seminary opened on School Street in East Pembroke on an acre of land donated by Rev. Daniel C. Houghton. The previous March, 15 trustees were elected to oversee the running of the school.
  • The new school had a principal named I.A. McFarlane, who was paid $600 for his services, and the teaching staff included Helen Page, Elizabeth Rich, and Helen A. Gould. In today’s world, McFarlane’s salary would be a lot higher, and there would be many more teachers.
  • Changes occurred toward the end of the century. In 1893, the Old Rural Seminary became the East Pembroke Union Free School. They could now operate a high school program.
  • Like other rural areas, East Pembroke was broken up, education-wise, into Districts that led to some consolidation. In the late 1890s, repairs were made to the East Pembroke school building at a cost of $600, and in June 1897, the East Pembroke High School graduated its first class of one member, Leona Seamans.
  • The East Pembroke School was a site to behold. The two-story structure had a cupola on top with a bell. Boys entered the building in one entrance and girls at the other.

CORFU-EAST PEMBROKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • In 1938, the New York State Education Department required that rural school districts be consolidated into centralized districts.
  • Corfu and East Pembroke each had to prepare their own consolidation plans. However, their plan was negated and the State mandated they join both school buildings into one district.
  • The plan instructed that the existing Corfu building would house grades 1-12. Then, a new building would be built in East Pembroke to house grades 1-9. Grades 10-12 at the existing East Pembroke School would be bused to Corfu.
  • On September 7, 1938, the Corfu Union Free School and the East Pembroke Union Free School officially became centralized.
  • The two schools, plus the 18 rural districts from the towns of Pembroke, Darien, Batavia, and Alexander, would now make up the new Corfu-East Pembroke School District.
  • The Public Works Administration (PWA) would once again play a role in the Corfu-East Pembroke District. The Batavia Daily News reported on September 30, 1938, that “controversy over school centralization in the Town of Pembroke appeared ended today with the approval of a $340,000 bond issue for construction of a combination junior high and grade school at East Pembroke and an addition to the present Corfu High School.” The $340,000 bond issue represented only 55 percent of the total cost, with the remaining 45 percent to be furnished by the PWA.
  • This building project for the school also included the construction of a bus garage, the purchase of school equipment, and acquiring land for the school and athletic field on West Avenue in East Pembroke. Also included in this monetary package were funds for the Corfu school to purchase land for an athletic field.
  • The East Pembroke School construction began on December 27, 1938, with numerous speakers, including Master of Ceremonies, and Principal Laurence B. Lane.
  • The East Pembroke School was completed for the 1940 school year. In 1958, the schools were realigned, and East Pembroke became a K-6 building, while Corfu maintained its K-12 status. (Note: Historian Lois Brockway said kindergarten did not come to Pembroke until 1949).
  • In the early 1960s, school overcrowding led to the Corfu and East Pembroke Grange halls being used for 6th-grade classes. Also, the growing student enrollment meant that regular school hours had to be adjusted. The Corfu High School went on split sessions during the 1960s, with grades 9-12 attending classes from 7:55 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. and grades 6-8 attending classes from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • With the new buildings, students had physical education classes in the gymnasium instead of recess and playing games outdoors. Buses were now used to pick up and drop off students at their houses.

PEMBROKE CENTRAL SCHOOL

  • The student population increased in the Pembroke district, and officials realized a new high school needed to be built. The new school would be built at the corner of Routes 5 and 77. Ground was broken in August 1962, and the new junior/senior high school opened its doors in January 1964. The district principal (now called superintendent) was Laurence B. Lane.
  • The Pembroke Central School became a 7-12 building and could hold 800 students. The Corfu and East Pembroke buildings each became K-6 buildings.
  • The late 1960s brought about more improvements in the district’s buildings. An addition was added to the East Pembroke School, which opened in 1967, and a large lecture hall (the Round Room), and 17 instructional classrooms (the 500 wing) were added to the high school, along with a swimming pool, library research center, guidance offices, and a cafeteria.
  • The elementary schools saw a major educational change in 1971. The new superintendent, Dr. Richard Nealon, along with the Board of Education, decided that elementary students’ education would be better served by having the East Pembroke School be a K-2 building and the Corfu building serve as a 3-6 building, becoming the Pembroke Intermediate School.
  • This move was not popular. Some teachers in both schools chose to retire rather than switch buildings.
  • With the 1970s came more improvements. In 1972, the Wilson Choate Outdoor Education Area was dedicated along with the Kip Mantor football field.
  • On June 10, 1987, Pembroke Central School suffered a horrible tragedy. Three Pembroke students and their Driver Education teacher were killed in a DWI accident. The following year, Pembroke’s Redesign Team, part of the Art Department, created a memorial sign to be placed in front of the school. The Pembroke Community Rainbow Memorial Committee, including students, school and community members, constructed this memorial. Dedicated in 1988, it serves as a reminder of the tragedy, as well as a marquee for school events. In 2022, the memorial’s marquee was upgraded to an LED digital sign, bringing a beautiful addition to the front of the school.
  • The last major renovation at Pembroke Central School came in 2008. Taxpayers passed a $25 million bond issue to upgrade the three buildings. It took two years to complete. In those two years, infrastructure upgrades were done at the Primary and Intermediate schools, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical and lighting and plumbing. The high school received most of the updates. Tiles were replaced, and new ceilings, lighting, and floors were installed as well. New boilers were also on the list for refurbishing, along with upgrades to the technology and home economics room. The “Round Room” was turned into an art and music center, the auditorium was air-conditioned, new offices were built, and a new library complex was added.
  • The Pembroke community has a lot to be proud of with its school community. They have come a long way from Anna Horton’s 1811 school in her home, to our modern educational facilities of today. One wonders what the future holds for this dynamic community that has always risen to the challenge of caring for our most precious commodity: our children.

Submitted photos:  Top photo, students at Pembroke High School in a typing class in the 1970s.

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Pembroke High School under construction in 1963.

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Corfu High School.

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East Pembroke Seminary.

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Pembroke High School students in the 1970s.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/session-placeholder/a-historical-timeline-of-the-pembroke-central-school-district/630132#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/session-placeholder/a-historical-timeline-of-the-pembroke-central-school-district/630132 Mar 29, 2023, 10:18am Pembroke Central School District A historical timeline of the Pembroke Central School District Anonymous <p><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.thebatavian.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/users/3232/2023-03/students_at_pembroke_high_in_the_70s1.jpg?itok=y5bcdPf3" width="460" height="603" alt="students_at_pembroke_high_in_the_70s1.jpg" class="image-style-large"> </div> </div> </p> <p><em>Greg Kinal taught social studies at Pembroke High School for 52 years.&nbsp; He's also a history buff, and after his retirement in 2022, for another project, he compiled a history of the school district.&nbsp; He provided The Batavian with a timeline of the district's history to share with readers.</em></p> <p><strong>The</strong></p>
After 52 years, Pembroke social studies teacher ready for an easier pace in life https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-b-owens/after-52-years-pembroke-social-studies-teacher-ready-for-an-easier-pace-in-life
screenshot_2022-06-15_at_10.38.07_am.jpg

A lot can change in 52 years -- monumental world events like wars, recessions, and pandemics pass by, and new inventions like mobile devices and electric cars transform lives.

But some things stay constant.  

Love, for example.

That's the case for Greg Kinal, who grew up in Elma and then accepted a job teaching social studies at Pembroke High School.

"Prior to taking the job in 1970, I had never been to Genesee County," Kinal told The Batavian on Wednesday. "I didn't know Batavia was here.  "But once I arrived in Pembroke, I fell in love with the community. I fell in love with the kids. I fell in love with the school.  It’s hard for me to come up with the idea that I’m going to be leaving.  I just love this area."

In 52 years of teaching at Pembroke, Kinal said he's taught all manner of young people -- high achievers and those who get by -- but he's found, and it's the reason he loves the kids, that they are all eager to learn.

"Sometimes you get the impression, 'oh, social studies --  groan,' but when we learn about the Vietnam War, kids bring in their grandfathers' medals, or when we talk about World War I, they talk about their family history. There is always interest in the topics we go over."

Now it's time to slow down, said the 74-year-old Kinal, who has two biological children and two stepchildren, and four grandchildren. In retirement, he still plans to be a substitute teacher, but he wants life to move at a slower pace.

"I find that I come to school on Monday and the next day, suddenly, it's Friday," Kinal said.  "I want to take it easier and not have my whole life be in a rush."

Photo illustration courtesy Pembroke Central School District.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-b-owens/after-52-years-pembroke-social-studies-teacher-ready-for-an-easier-pace-in-life#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/howard-b-owens/after-52-years-pembroke-social-studies-teacher-ready-for-an-easier-pace-in-life Jun 22, 2022, 10:37pm Pembroke Central School District After 52 years, Pembroke social studies teacher ready for an easier pace in life Howard Owens <p><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.thebatavian.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/users/60/2022-06/screenshot_2022-06-15_at_10.38.07_am.jpg?itok=fpUioWTq" width="460" height="462" alt="screenshot_2022-06-15_at_10.38.07_am.jpg" class="image-style-large"> </div> </div> </p> <p>A lot can change in 52 years -- monumental world events like wars, recessions, and pandemics pass by, and new inventions like mobile devices and electric cars transform lives.</p> <p>But some things stay constant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Love, for example.</p> <p>That's the case for&nbsp;Greg Kinal, who grew up in Elma and then accepted</p>
Pembroke Central Schools honored for music program https://www.thebatavian.com/press-release/pembroke-central-schools-honored-for-music-program/602455 Press release:

Pembroke Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.  Now in its 23rd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Pembroke Central School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Our K-12 music department and the consistent quality of vocal and instrumental instruction it has provided to our young Dragons has been nothing short of amazing!” said Superintendent Matthew Calderón. “Receiving this designation for three years in a row is no surprise to me and will have an ongoing positive impact on the district’s music education program.”

Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education. 

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/press-release/pembroke-central-schools-honored-for-music-program/602455#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/press-release/pembroke-central-schools-honored-for-music-program/602455 Apr 22, 2022, 4:42pm Pembroke Central School District Pembroke Central Schools honored for music program Press Release <p>Press release:</p> <blockquote> <p>Pembroke Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.&nbsp; Now in its 23rd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts</p></blockquote>
Grounds and emotional maintenance priorities for O-A, Pembroke school districts https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/grounds-and-emotional-maintenance-priorities-for-o-a-pembroke-school-districts/601449
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Editor's Note: The Batavian has reached out to all public school districts in Genesee County to check on how the budget season has been going so far. School district responses will be published as they are received.

While neither Oakfield-Alabama nor Pembroke school districts plan to eliminate any jobs, each would like to add at least one position, including a social worker and maintenance person, to the 2022-23 budget.

First up is Oakfield-Alabama Central School, which reports a tax levy “way under” the cap of 1.97 percent. With a proposed 2022-23 budget of $23,589,606, or a 10.45 percent increase, the district is looking at a 1.1 percent tax levy increase, Superintendent John Fisgus said.

Although expenses for this next year are “hard to manage and estimate at times,” the district has proposed adding three positions: one elementary school special education teacher, one maintenance worker and one guidance office secretary.

During the school board’s March 15 meeting, the need for a maintenance worker was reviewed and explained. There have been two grounds and one maintenance staff to tend to the district’s property, sports fields and building maintenance. The proposed additional position is “no reflection on staff,” Fisgus said, but is called for given the amount of work to be done. 

There are 70 acres to maintain and landscape, which gives each of the two grounds people 35 acres each. Adding a maintenance position would reduce that to about 23 acres each. Maintenance also does the winter snowplowing in addition to grooming the baseball and football fields and other outdoor areas, he said. This person would also serve as a backup for the existing staff. As it is, the district is down one grounds person, which will be replaced, he said.  

“I always thought the size of this district was small and rural, but wow, do we have land,” he said. “Especially with the capital project. We want to make sure our maintenance can keep up with the (work to be done). If someone called in … we’re very worried.”

The current staff has been doing “quite a bit of overtime” to get tasks done, Director of Facilities Jordan Yager said. “They’ve done an awesome job; they just can’t get to everything they need to get done.”

Hiring the additional position would cut down on overtime, he said. 

Good news for the district is a state aid boost of $1.5 million more or an 11 percent increase, Fisgus said. As for predicting future costs, “it's a guessing game when we don't know the outcome of the Governor's Budget,” he said. 

“With the increased costs of gasoline, electricity, and other utilities, we have to forecast out how much longer these increased expenses might continue,” he said. “The inflation rates along with the allowable levy growth factor play into our decision-making when calculating our expenditures.” 

Although revenues are up by $2,168,785 from this past year, he is concerned about Foundation Aid, which has tentatively reflected a decrease of about $100,000 from what the district expected, he said.

“That’s huge for a small rural school. We will need to wait and see what the Governor’s budget entails,” he said. “Our Board of Education is well informed to make the most appropriate and fiscally responsible decisions for our community. I praise their work and commitment to our students, staff, teachers, administrators, and school community. It also helps to have the best Business Adminstrator around to navigate these waters.”

This year’s budget ballot will include a proposition to add a student representative to the Board of Education in 2023. Fisgus is “excited for the opportunity” to have a student on the board, he said. Student ex-officios provide input and updates from the student community, and typically do not vote on district matters. 

“We will have a separate proposition on the ballot for our community to vote on this,” he said.

Pembroke Central School does not have a proposed budget as of yet, Superintendent Matthew Calderon said. District officials usually recommend a tax levy increase of about 2 percent, even though “there are times when the tax cap is far above that,” he said.

Since the tax cap formula includes a calculation for a capital outlay project, he is proceeding with caution before determining a tax levy and related increase or decrease.

“We are waiting for the state budget to pass to determine whether or not we can include a capital outlay project in the proposed budget. That decision will affect our final allowable tax cap and is to be determined,” he said. 

Total expenses are also to be determined, he said,given that “there are expenses that are out of our control.” Those expenses include the rising costs for utilities and health insurance, “which limits our capacity to expand programs for students.”

An increase in state aid, based on the governor’s initially proposed budget, was not enough to cover the district’s preliminary budget, Calderon said. That may mean some belt-tightening if necessary.

“We are prepared to reduce costs to eliminate any deficit,” he said. “And a few retirements may assist in doing that.”

Pembroke is looking at adding one social worker position to “better support the social-emotional needs of students, families and employees,” he said. There are no plans to eliminate any positions.

As for the budget process, there is one big, unanswered question.

“It is challenging to propose and finalize a school district budget when the state budget is late,” Calderon said. 

School budget votes are on May 17, and each school district will conduct a hearing/presentation at least one week prior to the vote. Oakfield-Alabama's hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 10  and Pembroke's hearing is at 6:30 p.m. May 10.

File photo: A new tennis court at Oakfield-Alabama is one of the items needing maintenance at the district, officials say. Photo by Howard Owens.

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https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/grounds-and-emotional-maintenance-priorities-for-o-a-pembroke-school-districts/601449#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/grounds-and-emotional-maintenance-priorities-for-o-a-pembroke-school-districts/601449 Apr 18, 2022, 8:00am Pembroke Central School District Grounds and emotional maintenance priorities for O-A, Pembroke school districts jfbeck_99_272012 <p><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.thebatavian.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/users/272012/2022-04/38cab072-e782-4a02-b98f-516ec10fde41.jpeg?itok=0ofKeQcp" width="459" height="283" alt="38cab072-e782-4a02-b98f-516ec10fde41.jpeg" class="image-style-large"> </div> </div> </p> <p><em>Editor's Note:&nbsp;</em><em>The Batavian has reached out to all public school districts in Genesee County to check on how the budget season has been going so far. School district responses will be published as they are received.</em></p> <p>While neither Oakfield-Alabama nor Pembroke school districts plan to eliminate any jobs, each</p>
More than $2 million awarded in bids for Pembroke schools project https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/more-than-2-million-awarded-in-bids-for-pembroke-schools-project/594115 Pembroke Central School Board approved more than $2 million in bids for its 2021 capital improvement project during a special meeting conducted this past Thursday.

Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the meeting was called so that the bids and project could move forward “sooner than later.”

A total of $2,139,223.25 was approved for the following individual bids:

  • $496,775.79 to Edward Holme, Inc. for site work$756,000 to Willett Builders, Inc. for general trades work
  • $107,000 to Parise Mechanical, Inc. for mechanical work
  • $445,000 to DV Brown & Associates for plumbing
  • $293,913.73 to Astroturf Corp. for track resurfacing
  • $40,533.73 to Johnson Controls, Inc. for energy-efficient temperature controls

The project, approved by district voters in 2021, covers renovations and upgrades that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and per the district’s Building Conditions survey. Work includes:

Pembroke High School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, ADA upgrades in restrooms throughout the building, install discus cage fencing (a safety issue), resurface the track, which has been deemed to be "at the end of its life."

Pembroke Intermediate School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, ADA upgrades to the first and second floor main restrooms, retrofit the existing auditorium house lights, replacement of flooring in corridors, cafeteria, and select rooms.

Pembroke Primary School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, asphalt reconstruction of parking lot and driveway around the building.

District officials have said the project will not affect taxpayers since a majority of the cost — 73 percent — is to be paid from state aid, and $1.1 million from the Capital Reserve Fund.

Below, a video of the project presentation via Pembroke Central School:

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https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/more-than-2-million-awarded-in-bids-for-pembroke-schools-project/594115#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/more-than-2-million-awarded-in-bids-for-pembroke-schools-project/594115 Feb 20, 2022, 10:58pm Pembroke Central School District More than $2 million awarded in bids for Pembroke schools project jfbeck_99_272012 <p>Pembroke Central School Board approved more than $2 million in bids for its 2021 capital improvement project during a special meeting conducted this past Thursday.</p> <p>Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the meeting was called so that the bids and project could move forward “sooner than later.”</p> <p>A total of $2,139,223.25 was</p>
Pembroke board cancels regular meeting, schedules a special one for this week https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/pembroke-board-cancels-regular-meeting-schedules-a-special-one-for-this-week/593433 Pembroke Central School’s regular board meeting on Feb. 22 has been canceled, however, an impromptu meeting has been scheduled for this week, Superintendent Matthew Calderon says.

The original meeting was scheduled during the board’s reorganizational session this past July. It was more recently deemed unnecessary due to no “pressing business," Calderon said to The Batavian on Monday.

An Unexpected “more pressing issue" arose, he said Tuesday, prompting a special board meeting to be set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the district office, corner of routes 5 and 77. 

“Basically, we recently had a bid opening for our ADA/BCS capital project, and the board needs to award the bids sooner than later in order to start the project on time,” Calderon said. “That is the main reason for the meeting, and we will also approve a few other items.”

The capital project stems from Americans with Disabilities Act and Building Conditions Survey (ADA/BCS) issues. A meeting agenda is to be posted on the district’s website by Wednesday, he said.

For more information, go to: https://www.pembrokecsd.org/page/board-of-education-home-page
 

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https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/pembroke-board-cancels-regular-meeting-schedules-a-special-one-for-this-week/593433#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/pembroke-board-cancels-regular-meeting-schedules-a-special-one-for-this-week/593433 Feb 16, 2022, 7:55am Pembroke Central School District Pembroke board cancels regular meeting, schedules a special one for this week jfbeck_99_272012 <p>Pembroke Central School’s regular board meeting on Feb. 22 has been canceled, however, an impromptu meeting has been scheduled for this week, Superintendent Matthew Calderon says.</p> <p>The original meeting was scheduled during the board’s reorganizational session this past July. It was more recently deemed unnecessary due to no “pressing business,"&nbsp;Calderon</p>
Batavia Career and Tech Education Center announces 40 national honor society inductees https://www.thebatavian.com/billie-owens/batavia-career-and-tech-education-center-announces-40-national-honor-society-inductees Press release:

In April, the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Chapter announced the names of 40 career and technical student inductees. These students met the rigorous criteria set forth by this national organization.

The minimum grade-point average for acceptance is a 3.0. Students are also selected based upon credit hours completed, attendance, volunteer service, and membership in other student organizations.

Due to COVID-19 event attendance restrictions, this ceremony will held be during the school day later in May. 

The 2021 Batavia Career and Technical Education Center NTHS Inductees

​Alexander Central School District

  • Norah Crawford, Metal Trades
  • Allision Kelly, Cosmetology
  • Julia Lennon, Cosmetology
  • Courtney Seymour, Criminal Justice
  • Brayden Woods, Building Trades

Attica Central School District

  • Hope Bell, Building Trades
  • Samantha Cordier, Criminal Justice
  • Matthew Parkhurst, Metal Trades
  • Olivia Rudolph, Criminal Justice
  • Katie Stockschlaeder, Health Dimensions
  • Brooke Whitton, Building Trades

Batavia Central School District

  • Jack Bruggman, Graphic Arts
  • Liliana Espinoza, Culinary Arts
  • Alaina Every, Cosmetology
  • KayLeigh Mayeu, Criminal Justice
  • Alannah Penkszyk, Animal Science
  • Robin Scroger, Animal Science
  • Kurstin Smith, Graphic Arts
  • Skarlette Tellier-Wilcox, Cosmetology

Byron-Bergen Central School District

  • Aleigha Shallenberger, Graphic Arts

Caledonia-Mumford Central School District

  • Lillias Bell, Metal Trades
  • Molly Ryan, Health Dimensions
  • Jayden Thompson, Diesel Mechanics

Le Roy Central School District

  • David Gracie, Auto Trades: Collision, Custom and Restoration
  • MaKayla Grant, Criminal Justice
  • Adam Risewick, Electro-Mechanical Trades
  • Taeya Starkey, Diesel Mechanics
  • Garrett Talbot, Building Trades
  • Zach Vanderhoof, Electro-Mechanical Trades

Oakfield-Alabama Central School District

  • Zachary Bradt, Graphic Arts

Pavilion Central School District

  • Ayrianna Hurlburt, Health Dimensions
  • Nikolai Hutchings, Animal Science
  • Savanna Kenyon, Diesel Mechanics
  • Toby Stappenbeck, Building Trades 
  • Alanso True, Building Trades
  • Alexa Wolcott, Culinary Arts

Pembroke Central School District

  • Alex Lamb, Building Trades
  • Ashley Pfalzer, Cosmetology
  • Tia Stone, Criminal Justice
  • Riley Yager, Graphic Arts
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https://www.thebatavian.com/billie-owens/batavia-career-and-tech-education-center-announces-40-national-honor-society-inductees#comments https://www.thebatavian.com/billie-owens/batavia-career-and-tech-education-center-announces-40-national-honor-society-inductees May 3, 2021, 12:40pm Pembroke Central School District Batavia Career and Tech Education Center announces 40 national honor society inductees Billie Owens <p><em>Press release:</em></p> <p>In April, the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Chapter announced the names of 40 career and technical student inductees. These students met the rigorous criteria set forth by this national organization.</p> <p>The minimum grade-point average for acceptance is a 3.0.&nbsp;Students are also</p>