BALDWINSVILLE — The Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education offered an overview at its Oct. 17 meeting of the district’s proposed renovations at Baker High School, the athletic complex and Ray Middle School, as well as minor improvements at Elden Elementary and Durgee Junior High School.
District residents will vote on the $68.3 million project in May 2023.

Funding for the project will come from:

• $48.8 million in State Building Aid
• $7.5 million from the Capital Reserve Fund
• $7.6 million raised from taxes

The projected tax increase would be about $16.61 for a home assessed at $100,000. According to Zillow, the typical home in the Baldwinsville school district is worth $246,367, so taxes for such a home would increase by about $40.92.

BOE member Jeffrey Marier said the Baker leg of the project includes improvements in the science wing, expansion of the main gymnasium and running track, locker room renovations and a new 50-meter pool with six lanes. There will be a new entrance to the athletics wing and a new access road for parent drop-off and parking.

As for the athletic complex, a baseball/practice field will be converted to a multi-purpose turf field with lights. Softball will return to the main campus, Marier said.

Ray Middle School will undergo significant renovations as well. The technology, art and music wing will be reconfigured, as will the gym and locker room. The district also will upgrade classrooms, replace walls and flooring, and make traffic-related improvements including the bus loop.

Elden and Durgee will see infrastructure and green space improvements.

Looking ahead, BCSD likely will present a capital project vote in 2026 covering renovations and additions to the elementary schools and a possible reconfiguration of Durgee and Ray.

Matus resigns

Also at the Oct. 17 meeting, the school board accepted the resignation of BOE member Frank Matus effective Oct. 8. BOE President Jennifer Patruno read Matus’ resignation letter into the record.

Matus wrote that suspended Superintendent Jason Thomson’s Oct. 7 arrest for driving while intoxicated was not the sole reason for his resignation but was “the catalyst needed to reinforce my decision.” Matus said his job has required extensive travel in the last few months, limiting his time with his family and forcing him to miss school board meetings.

“The district will face many challenges in the near future due to the demonstrated lack of professional judgment of Superintendent Thomson’s actions during the homecoming game,” Matus wrote. “A community voice must be available with the necessary time and energy to assist in navigating these turbulent waters. For myself, my family, and the board of education, stepping down now is the right move.”

Patruno said Matus had given her a heads up about his resignation.

“He really feels it’s time to give someone else a seat at the table to help us with the challenges and all the decisions we have ahead of us,” she said.

The board also released a statement Oct. 17 about the ongoing investigation into Thomson’s conduct. The BOE urged the community to stay patient.

“The Board of Education acknowledges that the community would like answers to the questions they have regarding the events that occurred during the homecoming football game on Oct. 7, as well as the related actions taken by the board,” the statement read. “We ask for your patience as we continue the investigation and follow all education laws and the contractual agreement that includes standard language for superintendents. We do not take lightly what has occurred and we will continue to keep the community informed of all decisions made regarding this matter.”

‘Lunch and Learn’ series begins

Just a few days after the most recent BOE meeting, Acting Superintendent Joe DeBarbieri kicked off the Baldwinsville Central School District’s Lunch and Learn webinar series Oct. 20. The virtual session offered updates on the district’s curriculum and instructional technology.

Read on to learn more in these areas:

• Elementary: Tony Cardamone, director of elementary curriculum and instruction, reported that New York State’s fourth-grade science assessment is moving to fifth grade. The practical portion of the assessment will now be “science investigations” that students must complete before fifth grade. Those investigations will be referenced in the fifth-grade test.

Danielle Nahorney, director of academic services and accountability, said the district’s pre-K program has expanded from 58 seats to 197 seats. Cardamone said there are now nine sections of pre-K.
Cardamone said the district has been implementing “restorative solutions” in discipline and conflict resolution at the elementary level. This approach emphasizes reconciliation and creating a safe, welcoming space instead of punishment.

The district also is training faculty in culturally responsive teaching, which incorporates students’ culture and identities into education.

• Secondary: Renee Burnett, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, said the district is preparing students for the state’s new world language standards. Eighth-graders will be tested on the new standards starting in 2024.

The Seal of Biliteracy program for Baker seniors is starting up once again. Students will prepare a presentation in at least two languages, which they will deliver in front of a panel of judges in April.

BCSD is implementing the Seal of Civic Readiness program, which is the social studies equivalent of the Seal of Biliteracy. Students must pass certain courses and Regents exams, complete a series of projects and participate in community service or other civic engagement opportunities.

• Technology: R.J. DeLisle, director of instructional technology, reported that BCSD provides 6,000 devices (Chromebooks and iPads) for students and teachers. Recently, classroom smartboards have been updated to touchscreen boards with 4K resolution cameras for virtual instruction and field trips.

If you missed the Oct. 20 Lunch and Learn, watch the video at bville.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=8274. To register for future sessions, visit bville.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=8260. The next Lunch and Learn takes place at noon Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, and will cover updates on the transportation department, capital project and the budget process.