Kendall BOE members praised for volunteer service
Some water fountains, classroom sinks test too high for lead
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Pictured include, from left, in front: Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith, Board of Education Vice President Charles Patt, Board of Education member Lisa Levett, Board of Education President Nadine Hanlon, Board of Education member Martin Goodenbery and Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino. Next week is Board of Education Week and October is National Principals Month. (BOE member Chaley Swift is missing from photo.)
KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Central School Board of Education and Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School principals were recognized during Wednesday evening’s regular meeting of the school board.
Superintendent Julie Christensen read proclamations declaring Oct. 24-28 Board of Education Week and October National Principals Month. Christensen presented BOE members with coupon books provided by the Kendall PTSA.
“We appreciate all your work,” she told board members. “We know we could not do the work without you.”
In her report, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino said recent assemblies featuring the Sweethearts and Heroes anti-bullying program were very successful. She said the event has led the school to make new efforts to prevent bullying behavior.
Every Friday video clips are shown about bullying and students receive a daily quote about, “how we should treat each other,” D’Agostino said.
She explained the school would be forming a “Mosaic Club” where students can meet to discuss and provide support to each other regarding issues such as domestic violence or sexual identity. D’Agostino said the club would be a “safe place for kids to come together to support each other and educate our school.”
Christensen reported that there are currently 388 students in the elementary school and 297 in the Jr./Sr. High School for a total of 685 students in the district, down from 718 a year ago. Elementary Principal Sharon Smith said her school had just registered five new students on Wednesday.
Christensen also reported on results from the second round of water tests for Kendall Schools. Initial tests showed lead levels above acceptable levels in newly renovated areas, but Christensen said those systems were flushed and now only one classroom sink in the Jr./Sr. Science wing retested above acceptable levels. All others tested well below the acceptable threshold. The affected sink will be posted as unacceptable for drinking, but is safe for hand washing, she said.
In the Kendall Elementary School, six outlets located in low-use classrooms/restrooms tested above the acceptable threshold for lead. Christensen said of those six, four are located in limited-use office areas. She said signs in those areas indicate sinks should only be used for hand washing and three affected water fountains will be shut off until they are replaced.
Finally, Board of Education members approved the agreement with Holley Central School to combine wrestling teams.
