Parents continue to ask for mask mandate to be lifted

Thanking the Akron Central School Board of Education for their letter to the State regarding lifting of mask mandates several parents reiterated their position that the mask mandate be lifted at Akron regardless of the state, during the June 23 Board of Education meeting.  They cited physical and mental health concerns for children, in urging the board to take action.  Parents had appeared at the previous Board meeting with similar concerns.

Also shared were the potential of mandating vaccinations.  “There is a lot they don’t know,” one parent noted.  “I don’t think it is reasonable to require vaccines.”

In his report following public comment time, Superintendent of Schools Patrick McCabe told Board members that he continues to seek out information regarding the requirements for schools as the COVID State of Emergency expires.  McCabe stated that he is proud of every member of the Akron Central School community in how they have handled the last 15 months, and their support of District efforts to maintain a focus on health and safety of the students as well as meeting their educational needs.  “I thank our wonderful families for their flexibility, support, and understanding, McCabe noted.

A local resident asked the board for an update on the High School Principal search.  She noted that there is concern in the community that no information is available and there is a lack of transparency.

As reported in the June 10 AKRON BUGLE, Interim Akron Central High School Principal Stephen Dimitroff  became High School Principal effective July 1, 2021 following action by the ACS Board of Education on May 26.  Dimitroff has served as Interim throughout the 20-21 school year.  His appointment is in the tenure area of School District Administrator with a salary for the school year 2021-2022 in accordance with the negotiated District/AAA Contract at $126,674.

During his report, McCabe noted that the Capital Improvement project is going well.  New drainage is installed and bus garage fuel tank removal completed without any issues.  Boiler room demolition is also complete.

Danielle Behringer and Emily O’Connor shared an update on the school counseling program.  They noted services were very different this year as student needs changed during the Pandemic.

Board of Education members accepted with appreciation for her years of service, the retirement resignation of High School Teacher, Susan Palmer effective February 1, 2022.

Claudia Best was appointed to a .65 Full Time Equivalent Elementary AIS Teacher Assistant position.  Marlen Gehl was appointed to a .3375 FTE Elementary AIS Teacher Assistant position for the 2021-2022 school year.  Jennifer Burden was appointed to a full-time, long-term substitute High School Math Teacher position effective September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, replacing Krista Schiffler.

The Board approved 3 full-time teaching positions and three full-time teacher assistant positions, as well as approved a separation agreement between a teacher in the district, the ACS District and the Akron Faculty Association.

Summer Hours for Special Education meetings in July and August were approved for Jennifer Abrams, Colleen Blackley, Karen Blochwitz, Julie Castiglione, Melissa Ciepiela, Amy Critelli, Caitlin Durkin, Rebecca Falls, Michele Heiderman, Michelle Howland, Kristin Jelson, Michaela Korcdzynski Sarah Martino, and Jacqueline Shellum.

Danielle Behringer and Caitlin Durkin were approved for up to ten hours each during July and August to respond to a subpoena to testify in court by Genesee County.  The meetings are in order to maintain compliance with New York State regulations.

Summer Curriculum development work as approved for several teachers in the Elementary school as they work on ELA, Vocabulary, Reading, History, and other areas.

Board members approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Akron Employees’ Association for the period covering July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, which was previously ratified by the Akron Employees’ Association.

Christi Dukat was appointed to a part-time, ten-month food service helper position effective September 1, 2021 and hours for food service employees were approved.

The resignation of cleaner, Carylee Loga effective June 17 was approved, as were leaves of absence for Emily Kenline from her full-time, ten-month monitor position and for food service helper, Ashley Longmire effective June 3.

Summer Hours for transportation employees to participate in mandatory training hours, in-house summer school and/or extended school year trips from July 1 through August 3,1 2021 were approved.

Erin Cochrane, Lacey Gennamore, Beth Kieffer, Cynthia Magera, Lorna Regan, Kayla Wdowka were approved for Middle School Summer School appointments.  Mary Bordon was appointed as a Middle School Summer School Substitute.

Anna Bargnesi, Karen Blochwitz (Monday/Wednesday), Holly Bona, Melissa Cianciulli, Kristin Corser (Tuesday/Thursday), Nicole Adams, Andrew Harrington, Lisa Lamont, Kathryn Milone (Monday/Wednesday), Danielle Whiteside (Tuesday/Thursday), Alexis Walser, and Ashley Ziccardi were approved for Elementary School Summer School appointments for 2021 and Bryan Bellis, Julie Bellis, Molly Bilinski, Emily Drum, Jessica Matusek, Martha Risitano, and Chrischell Samolis were approved as Elementary School Summer School Substitutes.

Matthew Willadsen was approved as accompanist for four hours on April 21 and May 26.

Jill Cornell- Slater and Melissa Quinones were each appointed as 50 percent High School Yearbook Advisor and 50% Elementary School Yearbook Advisor.

Extra-curricular appointments for 2021-2022 were approved for Brendan Bardo Music All County/Sectional Festivals, Jeri Diletti Mentor Coordinator, Debra Komosinski, Meghen Putts, Courtney Sanville, and Kimberly Stachowski Music All County/Sectional Festivals, and Casey Willadsen Marching Band Assistant #2.

Board members approved the 2021-2026 collective bargaining agreement with the Akron Administrators Association; approved the contract between the District and Susan Brewer, Account Clerk Typist, the contract between the District and Donna Ciurzynski, Account Clerk Typist, the contract between the District an Roxanne Rebmann, Secretary to the Superintendent, and the District and Teresa Skorupski, Account Clerk Typist for the terms and conditions of employment for the 2021-2022 school year through the 2024-2025 school year.

A Bond Resolution was adopted authorizing the district to purchase the transportation vehicles approved by District voters in May and finance them through the issuance of serial bonds not to exceed $426,000.

The next Board of Education meeting is set for Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m.   An Organizational and Business Meeting is planned at that time.