Superintendent of Schools shares goals for 25-26

Akron Central Superintendent of Schools Andrea Kersten Taylor shared her 2025-2026 goals with the Board of Education during their November 5 meeting.

Taylor indicated that the goals are designed to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) and are aligned to the Board of Education Goals and the Akron CSD 2025–2028 Strategic Plan.

“Together, the Board of Education and Superintendent will advance the district’s priorities by expanding community engagement, amplifying student voice, and promoting innovative learning opportunities. Each goal is aligned to both the Board of Education’s adopted governance goals and the first-year action steps of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring transparency, accountability, and progress toward the mission of supporting every student’s success,” Taylor said.

Board of Education Goal 1: The Board will receive, review and discuss regular public updates from the Superintendent or designee on community engagement initiatives tied to the strategic plan, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Superintendent SMART Goal

By June 2026, the Superintendent will ensure the Board receives quarterly updates highlighting progress toward expanding student experiences and community partnerships as outlined in the Strategic Plan.

She plans to conduct student, staff, and family surveys to identify engagement priorities; Audit and expand partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and service groups; Pilot a community Speaker Series and highlight engagement efforts at monthly Board meetings; Audit and explore current schoolwide/ staff-wide community service opportunities

Measures of Success include: Four public Board updates annually; Community partnership audit completed and shared and Launch of at least one new engagement initiative (e.g., Speaker Series, family event, or service project).

Board of Education Goal 2 The Board of Education will use climate survey data and student voice feedback to inform governance decisions. The board will receive timely updates from the superintendent or designee on survey results, student advisory input to ensure they reflect the district’s commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusivity.

Superintendent SMART Goal:

By June 2026, the Superintendent will ensure student voice and climate data are regularly shared with the Board to guide decisions that promote belonging, inclusion, and well-being across all schools.

To implement this goal, Taylor plans to: Conduct a district-wide climate and belonging survey;  Share updates on survey results and Student Advisory Council feedback to the BOE;  Support consistent social-emotional learning (SEL) and behavior expectations across buildings.

Measures of Success include: Two Board updates focused on climate and student voice;  Completion of Year 1 steps of the Tier 1 SEL Framework;  Action plan developed based on survey and advisory input.

Board of Education Goal 3 The Board of Education will ensure that the district budget and resources prioritize expanded program offerings and innovative non-traditional opportunities. The Board will receive updates from the superintendent or designee on how resources are leveraged—including regional partnerships—to enhance access, equity, and long-term sustainability.

Superintendent SMART Goal: By June 2026, the Superintendent will ensure resources are strategically used to expand access to innovative and non-traditional learning opportunities aligned with student interests and long-term sustainability.  Planned actions to meet this goal include: Audit current course offerings and student interests;  Identify and pilot new electives or academic opportunities;  Strengthen partnerships with BOCES, local businesses, and higher education institutions; Provide biannual updates from the Work-Based Learning Coordinator and monthly updates from building leaders.

Measures of Success include:  Audit completed and presented to the Board; At least one new program or learning opportunity implemented or planned; Two Work-Based Learning updates shared with the Board.

Polar Plunge

Akron Central School student Christopher Ginestre hopes to raise $20,000 for Special Olympics encouraging Akron Central School students, faculty and staff to join him in “Freezin’ for a Reason” at the Buffalo Polar Plunge Cool School Challenge 2025, a School Fundraising Competition.  Donations are collected online and the plunge is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.  Some listening to Christopher’s presentation indicated they will join him in the effort and challenged others to do the same.

Property transfer

Peter Forrestel appeared before the Board to suggest property transfer and annexation relative to school property.  Forrestel said that a change of property line incorporating a strip of land currently owned by the Christian Airmen and not usable by the airport because of the escarpment would give the District room for a storage building.  He noted that the property transfer is supported by the Christian Airment and the FAA and would need to have a public vote if the District wanted to pursue it.

He also noted that the District’s property line along the Pine Trees reaches into some back yards, creating liability for the District.  He suggested that the Board consider transferring property to bring the property line into agreement with current use.

Forrestel also noted that a portion of the Elementary school, most of the Middle School, and the athlete fields are in the Town of Newstead.  He raised concern over the possibility of confusion over EMS and other emergency services and suggested the Board consider pursuing annexation of the portions of the District currently in the Town of Newstead into the Village of Akron.

Board Policies

Board of Education members received policies on District Standards and Guidelines for Web Page Publishing, Public Complaints, Solicitation of Charitable donations, Advertising in the Schools, Allocation of Title 1, and Part A Funds in the District, for a first read through and comment.

They voted to retire Policy #3273- Selling Merchandise on School Property.

Action items

Chelsea Carier was appointed to a full-time, ten-month, twenty-six week Civil Service probationary teacher aide position, effective November 6, 2025.

Dallas Reuther was appointed to a full-time, tweleve-month, twenty-six week Civil Service probationary laborer position, effective November 6, 2025.

An extended leave of absence request from Special Education Teacher Jennifer Klodzinski, effective October 1, 2025 with an anticipated return date of January 1, 2026 was approved.

A leave of absence request from copy machine operator Barbara Windnagle, effective November 24, 2025 with an anticipated return date of February 16, 2026 was approved.

The appointment of Basketball Modified Girls B Coach Robert Westmiller was rescinded as approved on October 15, 2025.

The following instructional substitutes were approved for the 2025-2026 school year: Emma Albrecht, Todd Esposito, Marisah Januszkiewicz, and Heidi Muck.

The following extra curricular appointments were approved for the 25-26 school year: Kathie Ann Montante Prospero- Musical Choreographer; Karen Muscarella- Cooking Club Advisor (50%); Andrew Bogdan- Scorekeeper; Jeffrey Owen- Scorekeeper; and Jim Holtz- Scorekeeper.

Antoinette Abrams was appointed JV Girls Basketball coach.

David Guyton- Varsity Girls Basketball and James Holtz- Varsity Girls Basketball were approved as volunteers.

The Board amended the School Attorney fees for Greco Trapp, PLLC effective January 1, 2026 that were approved at the July 9, 2025 re-organizational meeting to the following: $275/hr (Partner). $200-225/hr (Associates)

Also approved was the MOA between the Akron Central School District and Alden Central School District regarding sharing of opportunities and resources for Interscholastic Girls Flag Football for the Spring 2026 season and the agreement between the Akron Central School District and Tech EDGE LLC, regarding consultative services to assist with scheduling in PowerScheduler for the 26-27 school year, effective November 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Board members authorized and directed a transfer of $2,764.07 in Expendable Trust funds, which were previously designated via a Board of Education resolution dated November 19, 2008 for use by the District’s High School Mock Trial Team, to the District’s Extraclassroom Account for use by the Student Council in the performance of its role and duties.

A request to create the extra-curricular account for Varsity Girls Basketball as recommended by Athletic Director Mr. John Morello was approved.

The Board voted to accept a donation in the total amount of $3,500.00 from Brian and Jane Perry, donated with the expectation that the District will deposit $1,000.00 of the total sum into the Tiger Innovations Extra Classroom Fund, and $2,500.00 will be awarded as scholarships to graduating seniors selected by the District who have demonstrated an interest in entrepreneurship and have committed to further academic studies after graduation.

Bus #264 – 2019 Chevrolet Express Cutaway – VIN #1GB3GSBG8K1144928 was declared as surplus and salvaged as submitted by Chief Operations Officer Mark Alexander.

Gina Doane, Jennifer Prisaznuk, Samantha Weaver, and Alexandria Witing were approved as district volunteers:

The agreement between the Akron Central School District and the Clarence Central School District for Special Education Services for the 2025-2026 school year was approved.

Board members approved the classifications and placements as per list received as recommended by the Committee on Preschool Special Education and the Committee on Special Education. These recommendations are for the least restricted environment at this time.