West Genesee District e-Newsletter
February 12, 2021
Facilities Study Update/Results
Here is a very brief summary of their findings:
- Unlike most school districts in upstate New York who are seeing and will continue to see declining enrollment, West Genesee is projected to begin seeing an increase in enrollment beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.
- Space in the elementary buildings is somewhat tight in the current K-5 configuration.
- There is an imbalance in enrollment between the two middle school buildings (6-8 configuration).
- The District currently does not offer Universal Pre-K, nor do they qualify for funding the program.
- The District may want to consider creating a 5-6 intermediate school and a 7-8 junior high school
- The District is in excellent financial condition.
- The District may want to consider a capital project to accommodate enrollment and involve the architects early in the planning process.
The full report was presented to the Board of Education at the January 6, 2021 meeting. At the January 20, 2021 Board of Education meeting, the Board discussed the ramifications of reconfiguring the schools. The Board discussed and voted to adopt the study’s recommendations at their February 3, 2021 meeting.
If you are interested in the full report, it is available on the District website homepage from the Quicklinks section. Click here to read the full article from the website.
Food Pantry Information for Over the Break
Many students enjoy breakfast and lunch at school on a regular basis. It is understandable when families find it challenging to provide those meals during school vacations.
Food pantries partner with the Food Bank of CNY to provide low cost, nutritious food to those in need. The following is a list of food pantries and services available in our community to assist families. Please know that you will be serviced by the food pantry nearest your legal address. If you have questions or need assistance please call: The Interreligious Food Consortium (IRC) weekdays at 315-474-8855 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Their website is: http://www.ifccny.org/.
For more information listing the local food pantries, click here.
Fall 2 Sports Registration Opens
The West Genesee "Fall 2" registration is now open on FamilyID for football, volleyball, cheer, and girls swim/dive! Click here to register.
Reminder: The seasons dates include the following sports:
- Extended Winter (February 1, 2021 thru March 13, 2021) – Basketball, Hockey, Cheer
- Fall 2 (March 8, 2021 thru April 24, 2021) – Football, Volleyball, Cheer, Girls Swim/Dive
- Spring (April 19, 2021 thru June 12, 2021) – Baseball, Boys/Girls Lacrosse, Softball, Boys/Girls Track, Girls Golf, Boys Tennis, Wrestling
Any question please contact the West Genesee Athletics Department Office at 315-487-4560.
Rescheduled: Board of Education to Host a Listening Session
The West Genesee Central School District Board of Education (BOE) invites parents, staff, community members, and students to a rescheduled Community Listening Session.
It will be held in the West Genesee High School Library on Wednesday, March 3, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (prior to the BOE meeting that will start at 7:00 p.m.) The guiding question for this is: "What are your hopes and dreams for WGCSD?" Please consider joining this session and offering your thoughts.
Those who would like to come to the Library and participate will need to pre-register by filling out the RSVP from the invitation here. This will allow us to track participant numbers. Depending on how many register and the capacity we can have in the Library, we will put in place a plan for overflow (i.e satellite rooms). It will also be livestreamed so anyone can watch from the link on the website or by clicking here.
If you cannot join that evening, but want to share your thoughts, please send an email with your hopes to kcoyne@westgenesee.org and your ideas will be included. The BOE President, Kimberly Coyne, will try to read them aloud if there is time.
Click here to read an invitation and RSVP to the BOE Listening Session.
Nurse's Note: Required Health Form
Education Law requires all New York State (NYS) public school students to have a health exam when they are a new student in a school district and when they enter Pre-K or Kindergarten, and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
Beginning on January 31, 2021, schools cannot accept the health exam if it is not on the required form or the required health record equivalent.
To access the existing required health form on the District website, click here. Please bring the form to your child’s health care provider (HCP), for their next physical exam. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school nurse for assistance.
West Genesee Streamlines our COVID-19 Communication
Tax Exemptions for Residents-Deadline by March 1
Residents who are age 65 and/or who are disabled may be eligible for a partial exemption on their school property taxes if they meet certain qualifications.
At the regular meeting on January 20, 2021, the Board of Education reviewed the maximum income eligibility ranges for exemptions that have been approved by New York State. Exemptions ranging from 5% to 50% of qualified applicants assessments are available on income levels of $37,400 or less.
Also available to District residents is a tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, approved by the Board of Education on January 20, 2021. To qualify for this exemption, applicants must reside in the District served by the fire department or ambulance service, the property must be the primary residence of the member, and only the residential portion of the property may receive the exemption. The exemption is equal to 10% of the property’s assessed value, not to exceed a $3,000 assessment reduction.
Finally, on January 20, 2021, the Board of Education approved the continuation of the tax exemption for Veterans.
Click here to read the entire article for more specific information about this topic.
Reminder: Free Breakfast and Lunch
The USDA has granted ALL students in the United States FREE breakfast and lunch for this entire school year due to the COVID pandemic. Orders can be placed at: https://westgenesee.nutrislice.com/menu/.
Upcoming Events
- February 15-19, 2021 Winter Recess
- March 3, 2021 BOE Listening Session-6:00 p.m.
- March 3, 2021 Board of Education Meeting-7:00 p.m.