New elective proposed at Akron Central

Akron Central School Board of Education members heard a proposal for a new course for students beginning with the Spring semester during their December 20 meeting.

Teacher Nicholas Ilardi shared an overview of the proposed course, which he indicated was requested by students.

He was the Media would be cross-curriculum with an English Languar Arts component, would help with communication practices district-wide and create and distribute content through existing district social and digital media.  He said students would create news content, video and podcast, and learn Media Literacy.  He hopes to have guest speakers, field trips, and facilitate development of employable skills.

“Students would develop critical thinking and literary skills in analysis of text and visual media; engage hands on with work in developing video, podcasting and journalism; and would collaborate as a class in the development of original concepts in production of various pieces of media.  Students gain understanding in the concepts of bias and reliability in current news landscape,” Ilardi said.

He also noted a social emotional learning component with students building relationships with students on projects, self-management of their own progress on individual work; making responsible decisions when it comes to making and consuming media; and becoming socially and self-aware when it comes to creating digital content that can be seen by an authentic audience.

Audit

An Allied CPS’s, LLC representative shared the results of an audit of District financial policies and procedures with the Board.  The audit found that policies and procedures providing internal controls were appropriate and that they were operating as designed.  “Controls are proper and operating properly,” he said.

Mission Movers

Akron musicians Landon Polkowski 10th grade cellist, Katerina Ryska, 11th grade vocalist, Ava Lombard, 10th grade violinist, Emma Leonard, 10th grade violinists, and Whitley Koopman, 10th grade percussionist were recognized as Mission Movers for December for their selection into NYSSMA Area All State.

Substitutes appointed

Board of Education members approved Jennfier Greene as a Preferred substitute frm December 15, 2023 to June 21, 2024; Brian Hubbard as Preferred Substitutes from December 21, 2023 to June 21, 2024, and Andrea Toussaint as Preferred Substitute from January 11 to June 21, 2024.

Emma Esposito – non-certified was appointed an instructional substitute for the 2023-2024 school year effective December 15, 2023 and Kaila Szczygielski – non-certified was approved as an instructional substitute for the 2023-2024 school year effective December 18, 2023.

Non-instructional action

Jeffrey Higgins was approved for a permanent appointment of automotive mechanic after successfully completing the twenty-six-week Civil Service probationary period, effective January 10, 2024.

The resignation of bus driver, Sean King, was accepted effective December 5, 2023.

Non-instructional Substitute Wage rates were set at $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2024 for bus attendant, Cleaner, Clerical, Food Service Helper, Laborer, Teacher Aide/Monitor, Custodian, and Election Clerk.

Elizabeth Graney and Sheryl Walter were approved as non-instructional substitutes – Food Service Helpers, for the 2023-2024 school year.

Extra-Curricular

A prorated stipend for JV Field Hockey Coach Kathryn Griener was approved reflecting the cancellation of the Junior Varsity Field Hockey 2023-2024 season in August of 2023 due to low student athlete enrollment.

Extra-curricular appointments for 2023-203 were approved as follow: Ryan Carberry – Basketball Modified Boys B Coach; Chandra Jagielo – SADD – up to 15 hours; Dale Jonathan – Scorekeeper (effective September 6, 2023 through October 30, 2023); and Robert Westmiller – Basketball Modified Boys A Coach.

Steve Patterson was approved as a volunteer basketball coach for the 23-24 season.

Agreements

Board members approved the agreement between the Akron Central School District and D & M Refrigeration, Inc for kitchen repair labor costs, effective for the 2023-2024 school year and authorized and directed the Superintendent of Schools to execute on behalf of the District.

An agreement between the ACS District and Auctions International, Inc. for the sale of educational assets, effective December 21, 2023 through December 20, 2025 was approved and the Superintendent of Schools authorized to execute the contract on behalf of the District.

Other

Board members approved the sale/charitable donation or disposal of obsolete/surplus books, many from the 1980s and 1990s.

Donations to the District were accepted form Ohiophyle – $37.48 for the Sale of Akron merchandise in local stores; Whiting Door Mfg and Cold Spring Construction – $1,000.00 each for the Akron Hometown Pride Scholarship (existing); County Line Stone and Niagara Specialty Metals – $4,000 each toward the 2023 Scholarship (existing).