Kendall

Voters decide fate of school budgets, propositions today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The walkway to the Albion Middle School is pictured Monday evening while the trees are in bloom in front a Vietnam Memorial.

Voters will go the polls today at the five school districts in Orleans County to decide whether to pass budgets, propositions and elect members to the Board of Education.

Here is a snapshot of each school district:

ALBION – The proposed $33,890,990 school budget keeps taxes at the same amount, $8,355,939, as the 2015-16 budget. The district’s tax rate for the current school year, $16.06 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest of all districts in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties. The Albion rate is estimated to fall to $15.87 in 2016-17, school officials said.

Other propositions include:

Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses;

Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library, which is up 1 percent from the $680,411 for 2015-16.
Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. The candidates include Dylan Hellems, Steven LaLonde, Kevin Doherty and Anitrice Riley.

Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the elementary school, conference room A.

HOLLEY – The proposed $24.4 million budget for 2016-17 includes a 1.99 percent increase in the tax levy. The budget is 4.73 percent higher than the current year budget. The nearly 5 percent budget-to-budget increase is due to the district’s share of the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Capital Project, school officials said.

The proposed budget maintains current staffing and programs, and brings the average tax rate to approximately $22.81 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Besides the budget, voters will decide the following: Proposition 2 for the purchase of schools buses – two full-sized and two 30-passenger school buses not to exceed $339,000; Proposition 3 is the budget for the Community Free Library in Holley of $116,061.

Additionally, three candidates are running for two 3-year term seats on the School Board. John Heise and Brenda Swanger are running for re-election, and Christine Klafehn is also running for an open seat.

Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the foyer of the Holley Middle School/High School.

KENDALL – The proposed budget increases spending from $15,065,842 to $17,392,234, predominantly due to the debt incurred with the recent capital improvement project. The budget-to-budget increase, however, is completely offset by an increase in state aid from $9,884,890 to $11,855,939, school officials said.

The proposed tax levy remains unchanged in the 2016/17 budget, and the tax rate will be $17.39/$1,000 assessed value for a Kendall resident.

One seat on the School Board of Education is up for election this year. Incumbent Charles Patt is seeking another term. Debra Szczepanski is also seeking a term on the Board. The five-year term will run through June 30, 2021.

Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School Gymnasium.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proposing a budget that will reduce taxes by 3.4 percent, continuing a downward trend in the tax burden.

The district is proposing a budget that seeks a tax levy of $4,266,578, which is down from $4,416,578 in 2015-16. The previous year, 2014-15, the district’s tax levy was $4,666,578. Lyndonville has reduced the tax levy by $400,000 in two years, a drop of 8.6 percent.

The district’s $13,254,000 budget is nearly the same in expenditures as in 2015-16. The 2016-17 budget is $108 more than the $13,253,892 in 2015-16.

Other propositions include:

$91,589 for Yates Community Library (up from $90,653).
Establish 2016 Transportation Reserve Fund to fund bus and vehicle purchases, not to exceed $720,000 over 8 years.

Authorization to purchase one 66-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $110,000. School officials say the bus proposition and Transportation Reserve Fund will not have an impact on the tax levy.

Three incumbents on the Board of Education are all running unopposed for three-year terms. They include Harold Suhr, Terry Stinson and Rick Mufford.

Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the Stroyan Auditorium forum.

MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year. The $35,825,184 budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.

The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, school officials said.

The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.

The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.

There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille. Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)

Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the District Office.

Kendall Fire Department accepts $1K donation

Staff Reports Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Eric Maxon and Mike Roth of Kendall Fire Department

Provided photo

KENDALL – Eric Maxon (left), Kendall Fire Department treasurer, accepts a $1,000 check from Mike Roth, owner of Allstate Roth Agencies on West Main Street in Batavia.

The Kendall Fire Department received the $1,000 grant from the Allstate Helping Hands Foundation. It is a grant that Allstate Insurance gives out to organizations that are helped by their employees.

Roth lives in Kendall with his wife Linda and is a honorary member of the Kendall Fire Department. Roth helps sell ride tickets at the annual carnival, which this year will be July 7-9.

The grant will be put into the Kendall Fire Department ambulance fund for supplies needed for the operation.

County approves bids to replace bridges in Kendall, Ridgeway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2016 at 10:00 am

ALBION – Orleans County officials have approved bids to replace deteriorated bridges on Carton Road in Kendall and over Fish Creek on East Scott Road in Ridgeway.

The County Legislature last week approved the low bid from Union Concrete and Construction Corporation in West Seneca to replace the East Scott Road Bridge for $724,346. The new bridge will replace one from 1936.

The Legislature also accepted the low bid from Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport to replace the Carton Road Bridge for $793,729. It will replace a bridge from 1959.

The work will be paid for as part of an $8 million bond the county took out in 2014 for a series of infrastructure projects over three years.

Construction on the two bridges is scheduled to start at the end of this month.

Kendall Scout earns his Eagle

Staff Reports Posted 3 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided Photo

KENDALL – Damian Morfin Howes was awarded his Eagle Scout rank during a celebration on Sunday.

Damian is from Troop 94.

For his Eagle project, he built four large flower boxes.

Two boxes were placed in the front of Kendall United Methodist Church. The second two were placed on the side of the church barn under the barn quilt.

The flower boxes allow the congregation of the church to plant flowers on both sides of the church’s front entrance, thus enhancing the front of the church.

The boxes on the side of the barn allow for the planting of flowers and easier upkeep for the church property.

This was Damian’s way to give back to the church community that has supported him.

Holley school district supports plans to redevelop old high school

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 28 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Kendall and Holley also will meet to discuss shared services

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – The old Holley High School has been vacant for more than two decades.

HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Board of Education were updated during their regular meeting Tuesday evening regarding the status of the old Holley High School building in the village.

School district attorney Jeff Martin informed board members about recent efforts by Home Leasing, LLC of Rochester to acquire the building, which was constructed in the 1931 and was last used by the district in 1975. Home Leasing wants to turn it into senior housing with 26-30 units.

Martin explained that a major obstacle – sorting out title issues – may be overcome with recent news that, “Orleans County will get involved.”

The county will likely foreclose on the property, Martin explained, and that would facilitate cleaning up title issues.

“It would be a benefit to the whole community,” Martin said of the possible development of the building.

The old Holley High School does contain asbestos, Martin noted. It has sat unused since the early 1990s when Lift Tech Systems, which had owned and utilized the building, declared bankruptcy. The owner of the property died suddenly following that, Martin said. The building has been off the tax rolls for several years.

Martin said he attended a meeting in March regarding the school and was asked to see if school board members were receptive to moving forward with the possible development. He explained that a 15-year PILOT agreement may be offered to developers, which would mean that tax revenue would again be generated from the site.

This photo shows the back side of the building.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Martin said, and noted the Orleans Economic Development Agency would likely be involved due to the expense of renovations. He said much time still needs to go into developers acquiring the property and renovation work. “It could take a couple of years,” Martin said.

School Board members expressed their approval of the process moving forward.

In other business, Superintendent Robert D’Angelo reported that he had recently been contacted by Kendall Central School Superintendent Julie Christensen, who requested a joint meeting of both boards, superintendents, high school principals and business officials be held sometime this summer. The meeting would be to, “discuss shared services across the board… it would not be restricted to athletics,” D’Angelo said.

The districts agreed this spring to field a combined baseball team, and D’Angelo noted that agreement is working well. He said Tuesday evening football and wrestling have been mentioned as other sports where the districts could form a merged team.

Currently, Kendall does not have a football team.

He said both districts/school boards sitting down at one table will be, “a positive thing for both of us. I look forward to meeting with Kendall during the summer. There are so many things we can do for students in the classroom if we join forces. They are just a hop, skip and a jump away. It’s definitely an advancement for us and them.”

“It would benefit both districts,” school board vice-president Robin Silvis said.

“In the long term I see us sharing a lot of different things,” board member John Heise said.

Additionally, Superintendent D’Angelo said Holley is meeting on Friday with its counterparts in the Pembroke Central School District to talk about football.

“I will not let the distance interfere with our kids having a good program,” he said.

Kendall Lions clean up roadsides

Staff Reports Posted 24 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos, Helen Unterborn

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions had about 45 volunteers on Saturday for the annual Kendall Community Environmental Cleanup Day. This photo shows Lion President Tom Minigiello and his wife Candy Minigiello, who is also a member of the Lions Club.

Lions, Leos, Scouts and community members joined forces to clean up about 80 percent of the roadsides in the Town of Kendall. The Lions provided safety vests to participants as well as refreshments following. The Lions Club thanks the Town of Kendall Highway Department for its support in the cleanup.

A group of community members gather at the town highway department and await their road assignments.

Members of the Leos Club at Kendall Central School – Brook Andrus, Evan Gaesser and Julia Smith – pick up garbage from by the road.

Volunteers filled many trash bags with roadside debris.

On Friday, Earth day, the Lions were happy to participate in the Fourth Grade Foresters Program. The Lions Club provided and handed out trees to each 4th grade student at Kendall Elementary. Lion Phil D’Agostino presented a tree to his grandson Louis Conte.

Kendall school district won’t increase taxes in new budget

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 22 April 2016 at 12:00 am

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall School Board of Education have adopted the proposed 2016-17 budget which doesn’t increase the tax rate.

The proposed budget increases spending from $15,065,842 to $17,392,234, predominantly due to the debt incurred with the recent capital improvement project, said Julie Christensen, the district superintendent.

The budget-to-budget increase, however, is completely offset by an increase in state aid from $9,884,890 to $11,855,939, Christensen explained, the majority of which is an increase in building aid.

“Our expense based state aid figures increased for BOCES cost, but decreased for transportation and high cost aid,” she said. “These aid dollars are determined solely by usage that fluctuates from year to year. For example, we purchased more technology from BOCES hence the increase in that aid line.”

The new state budget ends the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), restoring funds to school districts from the recession in 2009-10.

“This is the amount New York State deducted from the legislated school state aid figures to pay their bills for the state,” Christensen said.

Additionally, the district will actualize $25,104 in revenues from the PILOT from The Cottages at Troutburg.

“Our current programs and services, dependent on student enrollment and interest, will remain intact,” Christensen said. “We are offering many new high school course electives based on student interest.”

The proposed tax levy remains unchanged in the 2016/17 budget and Christensen says Kendall has held the levy stable for many years.

This year, maintaining the zero levy was facilitated by the Board of Education seeking to apply the one-time return of GEA funds to the levy, she said.

The tax rate will be $17.39/$1,000 assessed value for a Kendall resident.

The 2016/17 proposed Budget Presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 at the David J. Doyle Junior/Senior High School at 7 p.m. in the Commons. District residents are invited to attend, ask questions regarding the 2016/17 proposed budget, and meet school board candidates.

The annual budget vote/school board election is set for May 17 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School Gymnasium.

Kendall Lions celebrate 10th anniversary of Leo Club at school

Posted 10 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club – Kendall Lions Club President Tom Minigiello, Leo Advisor Marlene Morrow and Lion Terry Bliss are pictured after Morrow was presented with a Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award.

Press Release, Kendall Lions Club

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club welcomed over 90 Lions, Leos and their families on Saturday in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Leo Club at Kendall Central School.

The Lions hosted the dinner at the Kendall Fire Hall. During the program, Lion Terry Bliss shared with those attending the history of Leo Clubs in the Lion organization as well as how the Leo Club was formed in Kendall 10 years ago.

Lion Mike Cusimano shared the impact the service of the Kendall Lions Club and the Leo Club has had on our community. He encouraged the Leos to continue this commitment to service as they go forward in life. He also encouraged the families to consider joining the Lions in their service to our community.

Leo Advisor Mrs. Marlene Morrow, back left, and KCS High School Principal Mrs. Carol D’Agostino are at the head table in the celebration of the Leo Club at Kendall.

Lion Julie Christensen, the school district superintendent, spoke on behalf of the school district. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino shared the impact on the high school and shared with the families the commitment, support and guidance demonstrated by Leo Advisor Marlene Morrow. The Leo Club presented a slide show showing the many ways they have served their school and community over the past 10 years.

The evening ended with a presentation by the District Governor Tim Crawford to the club. Lion Terry Bliss awarded a Robet J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award to Leo Advisor Marlene Morrow. This award is awarded by clubs to individuals who embody the ideals, ethics and objects of International Lionism. It is the highest award available in Lions Multiple District 20 of which the Kendall Lions are a part. Ms. Morrow demonstrates these qualities as she guides and supports the Leos and students at Kendall Central School.

Leo Officers – Nancy Wright, Julia Smith, Rose Pajek and Destiny LaPlant – are pictured with Lion President Tom Minigiello and Leo Advisor Marlene Morrow. Following their presentation the Lions presented the Leos with a monetary gift to help them continue their work.

Garden creations benefit Donate Life

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 7 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – This terrarium created by Lori Laine of Kent features a tiny kitty cat in her own fairy garden.

KENDALL – Kendall Garden Club members had an opportunity to complete a fun project while benefitting the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network during their meeting at the Kendall Town Hall on Wednesday evening.

Lori Laine of Kent lead the workshop. She described how she became involved in the craft of creating miniature fairy gardens nestled in clear glass terrariums and teacups.

“We are transplanting new life and growth,” she explained, just as her husband received the gift of new life after receiving a liver transplant in 2014. “Life can change with organ donation.”

Laine now creates and sells the little indoor gardens and teaches classes in the craft. Proceeds go to the Donate Life organization.

Members of the Kendall Garden Club work on teacup fairy gardens during their April meeting Wednesday evening. Lori Laine can be seen standing at the bottom right of the photo. She is speaking with garden club member and Town Councilperson Barb Flow.

Laine led members of the Kendall Garden Club through the process of transplanting tiny houseplants into their new, diminutive containers. Laine said she buys “sad plants” at discount department stores, takes them home, divides them, and establishes the divisions in egg cartons. The process helps to keep the plants small, Laine said.

Participants embellished their creations with moss, tiny stone pathways, and miniature accessories and figurines.

Laine provided blue and green marbles to add some sparkle to the gardens. “Those are the colors of Donate Life,” she said.

Lori Laine also had several of her terrariums on display featuring her houseplant “transplants.”

Lori Laine provided several varieties of houseplants from which participants could choose. She recommended pruning them to keep them small.

Participants also chose from neatly organized miniature accessories for their teacup gardens.

A teacup garden made by Kendall Garden Club member Barb Flow.

Kendall student code of conduct may include cyber-bulling, social media

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 24 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Seniors could lose driving privileges if failing a class

KENDALL – Board of Education members held a public hearing Wednesday evening on proposed changes to the district’s code of conduct.

Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino went over revisions and additions suggested by a committee. Many proposed changes are in regards to personal electronic devices/technology and ways to help motivate seniors to remain in good standing in order to graduate.

D’Agostino said additions include very specific wording regarding cyber bullying as being inappropriate behavior and using, “language as clear as possible for appropriate behavior regarding the use of social media.” Additionally, there is language prohibiting, “the sharing of inappropriate photos,” and “selling, using or distributing inappropriate or obscene materials.”

Additions to the code of conduct also include a senior lounge area located in the commons which could be utilized by seniors in good standing as well as what D’Agostino called a “big change” in eligibility for Senior Class Top Ten recognition.

Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, students would be required to earn four math or four science credits to be eligible for the Top Ten.

The proposed addition which received the most attention from board members was in regards to driving privileges. Seniors would have to be passing their classes or staying after school for extra help in subjects they are failing, or their driving privileges would be revoked.

“It seems like punishment,” D’Agostino said, “but I see it as motivation.”

She said she wants seniors to have freedom, but she also wants to see them graduate. The possibility of having driving privileges revoked would help them to be responsible.

“We are providing more opportunities for them to get help,” she said of students who are failing classes.

School Board Vice President Christopher Gerken said he agreed with what D’Agostino was trying to do, but, “I don’t know where we stand if this is challenged. It gets complicated.”

Gerken expressed concerns over students who participate in off-campus programs and must drive themselves.

“We need niches to help motivate kids to behave in an age-appropriate manner,” D’Agostino responded.

Kendall Senior Coralee Freitag, who attended the meeting for Student of the Month recognition, told board members during the public hearing she felt such a code would be unfair to students who are participating in programs that take them off-campus and require that they drive themselves.

“If you want to make students more motivated, this is not a good way to do it,” Freitag said.

Her parents, however, who also attended the meeting, disagreed. They told board members they thought the possibility of losing driving privileges was a good motivator and might work to “wake up parents,” if their child is failing a class. They said the district will provide opportunities to help students regain driving privileges if they are lost.

School Board President Nadine Hanlon noted there were no students on the committee which worked on the code changes. D’Agostino explained that the teacher who chaired the committee invited students to be a part, but those students had a conflict with the committee meeting time. She said the students were able to review proposed changes before they were presented to the board.

The code of conduct revisions were not on the Wednesday agenda for board action.

In other business, Superintendent Julie Christensen said during her report that tests for lead in the district’s water supply will likely be conducted in April.

Recent concerns over the issue in area schools is prompting the testing which will be done through Genesee Valley BOCES/Monroe County Water Authority, Christensen said.

Board members also approved an inter-municipal cooperation agreement with the Holley Central School District regarding varsity baseball. School officials said four Kendall students tried out for the Holley team and two made the squad.

Holley, Kendall faculty volleyball game raised $1,440 for food kitchens

Posted 23 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Kendall faculty participants in the March 3 volleyball match icnlude, front row, from left: Tige Noni, Lovette French, Martin Goodenbery, Louise Reger and Kelly Picardo. Middle row: Bethanie Mason, Kelly Smith, Nicole Pettrone, Jessica Glanton and Jessica Hutton. Back row: Marty Christensen, Jack Keenan, Chris Proukou, Melisa Rath, Julia Robinson, Michael Yaskulski and student Madison Rath.

Courtesy of Holley and Kendall school districts

HOLLEY – The Holley Faculty Team competed against the Kendall Faculty Team in volleyball at the recent “Cause for the County” game at Holley Middle School/High School on March 3.

Holley won 3 games out of 4. This is the fourth time Holley has competed against Kendall in a sporting event. Ticket proceeds were divided between the Kendall Food Cupboard and Holley Loaf and Ladle. Each food cupboard netted $720. The annual game has raised over $5,000 for the local food cupboards in the last four years.

Holley faculty participants include, front row, from left: Jenn Morgan, Kellie Marciano, Janelle Baker, Renee Wolf, Kelly Frost, Kristen Pelkey, Sara Missell and Kate Connor. Back row: Sal DeLuca, Jason Cole, Jeff Shannon, Chris Grasta, Nick D’Amuro, Bill Silpoch, Jeremy DeFazio and Chad Cummings.

As part of the pre-game entertainment, brothers Ashley and Andrew Grillo wrestled against each other. This was a rematch of their 2014 half-time wrestling match during the annual faculty game, with younger brother, Andrew, a Holley physical education teacher, beating his oldest brother, Ashley, an assistant principal at Holley Elementary School, once again. Middle brother Adam Grillo served as referee of the match, while father John Grillo, Holley varsity wrestling coach, supervised.

From left, Andrew Grillo takes on his brother, Ashley, in a pre-game wrestling match.

Mr. Kendall Pageant is an evening of fun for a good cause

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 19 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Evan Gaesser (left) took second place honors and Creagan Maclaren (right) was selected Mr. Kendall 2016 Friday evening at Kendall Central School.

KENDALL – Kendall High School Senior Creagan Maclaren was crowned “Mr. Kendall 2016” during the 3rd Annual Mr. Kendall Pageant Friday evening at Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.His “bio” in the program stated: “Cregan’s favorite activities in school (include) wrestling, golfing, and being an absolute lady killer.”

“I’m glad to finally take the crown,” Creagan said as he paraded around the stage following his victory. He wore his lion costume from the “Individual Talents” portion of the pageant. “Last year I got so close,” he said.

Contestants perform a group dance number at the opening of the Mr. Kendall Pageant Friday evening. They danced to the song, “It’s Raining Men.” The pageant was “crashed” by two female students – Student Council Event Coordinators Maddie Rath and Kacey Menge. Both were disqualified at the end of the competition for “not being males.”

Mr. Kendall Pageant contestants strut their stuff Friday evening during the workout wear competition.

Creagan was the only participant this year who also participated in 2015. Senior Evan Gaesser came in second place. Other participants were seniors Brandon Lewis and David Maslyn, and juniors Brandon Miller, Bobby Wilson and Kenny Price.

The tongue-in-cheek event is organized and hosted by members of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High Student Council and provides an opportunity for upperclassmen to “strut their stuff, show off their talents, and support a good cause,” the program states.

Mr. Kendall contestant Kenny Price (left) performs his “Teacher Impersonation” of instrumental music teacher Ashlea Strouse with the help of a fellow student.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Grace Lang/Amber Liese Memorial Walk in May. In recent years, the walk has benefited Teens Living With Cancer, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the Kendall Ambulance. Grace Lang was a school nurse and Amber Liese, a Kendall graduate, died of cancer in 2010.

Participants competed in several areas: formal wear, a group dance number, teacher impersonation (an audience favorite), workout wear, strongest/smartest, sleep wear, interviews and individual talents.

Mr. Kendall contestants Creagan Maclaren (left) and Kenny Price (right) listen intently to a question during the “strongest/smartest” portion of the pageant.

The talent portion was won by Kenny Price; workout wear by Brandon Lewis; teacher impression by David Maslyn; sleep wear by Brandon Miller and interview by Ryan Barrett – who wasn’t an actual contestant, but who gave contestants their questions during the interview and managed to change his costume between each contestant.

Guest judges were former Student Council members Matt Schuth and Marisa Hanlon, former “famous teacher” Kris Stumpf, and Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino.

Audience members were able to participate in the competition through social media. Student Council members Sarah Pieniaszek and Lexi Payton manned the Twitter booth and reported on tweets during the evening.

Contestant Brandon Miller – sporting his sleep wear – is questioned by Student Council Member Ryan Barrett during the personal interviews. Barrett changed costumes incredibly quickly between contestants.

Ryan Barrett wore a “Dorothy” ensemble to question Mr. Kendall contestant Bobby Wilson who was asked what his campaign slogan would be if he ran for president. Wilson responded: “Sponge Bob is awesome 24.”

Evan Gaesser, who took second place, performs “Artistic Stylings” during the talent portion of the Mr. Kendall Pageant. His “artwork” was a “Vote for Evan” poster which he presented to the judges.

Contestant Brandon Lewis performed “magical” for the talent portion. He made several items “disappear” by putting them in his pockets, throwing them away or tossing them off-stage.

Former Mr. Kendall contestants in attendance took the stage momentarily during judging. On the far right are brothers Mark and Adam Washington – the winners of the first two Mr. Kendall Pageants.

Kendall farmer honored for one of top corn yields in country

Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo/National Corn Growers Association – Matt Kludt (center) of Kendall placed third nationally in the A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated Category of the 2015 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. Trophies were presented at the annual Commodity Classic held in New Orleans in early March. From left, are Martin Barbre, Carmi, IL, chairman of the NCGA Corn Board; Kludt; and Wesley Spurlock, Stafford, TX, first vice president of the Corn Board.

Press Release, National Corn Growers Association

NEW ORLEANS – A local corn grower has been honored as one of 18 national winners in the 2015 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association.

Matt Kludt of Kendall placed third in the nation in the A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated
Class with a yield of 322.9722 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was DEKALB DKC52-84RIB.

The 2015 competition included 7,729 entries from 45 states. The contest consists of six classes. In the national competition, three placings are awarded within each class. The 18 national winners represented nine states.

The average yield among national winners was 386.4 bushels per acre – greater than the 2015 U.S. average of 169.3 bushels per acre. Six of the national winners recorded yields of 400 bushels or more per acre.

“This harvest, the world witnessed the incredible bounty U.S. corn farmers can provide to meet the growing need for food, fuel and fiber both in our nation and around the world,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling, a corn grower from Newburg, MD.

Agronomic data gleaned from the contest reveal the following:

Average planting population for the national winners was 40,861 seeds per acre, compared to 34,123 for all entrants.

National winners applied an average of 364.06 pounds of nitrogen, 116.39 pounds of
phosphorus and 231.78 pounds of potassium per acre.

Average commercial nitrogen use per bushel of yield was 0.94 pounds for the national winners and 0.89 pounds for all entrants.

27.78 percent of the national winners applied trace minerals, compared to 38.74 percent of all entrants.

Use of manure as a fertilizer was consistent. 38.89 percent of national winners applied manure, compared to 16.06 percent of all entrants.

The National Corn Yield Contest began in 1965 with 20 entries from 3 states. The highest overall yield was 218.9 bushels per acre, while the national yield average was in the mid-60 bushel-per-acre range.

The winners were recognized March 4 at the 2016 Commodity Classic, the premier convention and trade show of the U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum, wheat and equipment industries, held this year in New Orleans, LA.

The National Corn Growers Association represents more than 41,000 members, 48 affiliated state corn grower and checkoff organizations, and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs.

For more on the Corn Growers, click here.

Kendall students bring Dr. Seuss tales to stage

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 11 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KENDALL – Abby Rice stars as The Cat in the Hat and Sarah Knapp is JoJo in the opening number of Seussical.

Tonight is opening night for Seussical, this year’s musical presentation at Kendall High School. This evening’s performance begins at 7 p.m. and performances on Saturday are set for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. All performances are in the Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium. There will be additional activities for children at the afternoon performance on Saturday.

Sophomore Sarah Knapp plays JoJo, senior Abby Rice plays The Cat in the Hat and sophomore Caleb Henion plays Horton, the elephant, a part Caleb said he relishes.

“I love being Horton,” Caleb said. “He has a lot of powerful songs and I love singing loud. I get to fill the whole stage.”

This is Caleb’s fourth Studio K production through Kendall.

Members of the cast of Kendall High School’s production of Seussical perform “Oh the Thinks You Can Think.”

Horton and JoJo are characters with kindred spirits and Sarah Knapp says JoJo (a teenage resident of Who-ville) is trying to find his way.

“He’s a kid who doesn’t know what he’s doing,” she said. “He’s always getting into trouble.”

Eventually, however, JoJo finds acceptance because of his unique imagination. This is Sarah’s third Studio K production.

Senior Abby Rice has been in every Studio K production since seventh grade, but this year she has had to overcome a particularly difficult obstacle in taking a starring role in Seussical.

“I’m standing,” she said. “I had my knee replaced in December and I’m off my crutches.”

Abby said she is a cat person, which has helped in her role.

“It’s been a little bit difficult, but fun,” she said.

The three agree that the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss – on which the musical is based – transition well to the stage.

Tickets are available at the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Main Office or at the door.

Seussical is directed by Michael Billotti (Drama) and Daniel Lauritzson (Music). Choreography is by Michael Billotti, Kierstyn Christensen, Michela Hanlon and Megan Hardenbrook.

Horton, played by Caleb Henion, is certain that he hears someone calling for help in “Horton Hears a Who.” Bird Girls and Jungle Animals look on.

Sarah Pearson portrays Mrs. Mayer and Ryan Barrett is Mr. Mayer in Kendall High School’s production of Seussical.

Michela Hanlon plays the Grinch.

Hanna Hofstra plays Gertrude, a bird who is trying to win the affection of Horton the Elephant.

Gertrude, played by Hanna Hofstra, listens while Mayzie, played by Morgan Reed, explains how she changed from a plain bird into “Amazing Mayzie.”

Educators try to address misconceptions with state tests at Kendall forum

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 March 2016 at 12:00 am

KENDALL – The 2016 round of NYS Grade 3-8 Assessments is just around the corner and parents in the Kendall Central School District Tuesday evening were invited to an informational forum presented by Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES on understanding standards and assessments in New York State.The district hoped that the presentation, which Monroe 2-Oreans BOCES staff has been making for its member districts, would help remove anxiety and misconceptions about new standards and the 3-8 tests.

Marijo Pearson, assistant superintendent for BOCES 2, and Bridget Harris, coordinator of the BOCES 2 MAARS program, presented information to district administrators, school board members, students and their families during the forum held in the Jr./Sr. High School Library.

Pearson noted there has been much press around the assessments as well as, “a lot of misinformation.” She explained the difference between standards – what students need to know – and curriculum – how the district will teach the standards. The four types of assessments – formative, benchmark, summative and state assessments – were also discussed.

Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino said the new standards are having a positive impact on students.

“It’s a real application of understanding,” she said. “I see it coming to life in the classroom, it’s powerful.”

Pearson explained the status of the AIMHighNY survey which the NYS Education Department conducted recently to review Common Core Learning Standards and ensure those standards are right for New York’s students.

Work has just wrapped-up on analyzing the results and the process of revising standards will begin soon.

“They are looking at the standards and re-writing, fine-tuning them to make sure they are appropriate,” Pearson said. She noted the survey found ELA standards for preK-Grade 3 may be a little challenging as well as those for Math for K-Grade 4.

New standards are expected in the spring of next year and then districts will begin to re-align their curriculum documents, Pearson said.

Examples of Data Report and Analysis documents from State Assessments were explained and one parent in attendance expressed the worry she experienced when she first received her child’s NYS Education Department Score Report, saying she became anxious because she felt the results might be part of her child’s future transcript sent to colleges.

District officials in attendance and Pearson told the parent results of the Grades 3-8 Assessments are not part of a student’s transcript.

The assessments are not for graduation, Pearson explained.

“They are about where (the student) is in relationship to their peers, and help teachers learn what they need to do differently. It’s valuable for teachers,” she said.

Pearson said the state is working to make the reports better and easier to understand. She also announced the most recent changes for the 2016 Grade 3-8 Assessments.

The tests will have fewer questions and will not be timed. Students will have the time they need to complete the tests, she explained. There is also greater teacher involvement in both creating and reviewing the assessments and opportunities will be expanded for teachers to be more involved in future test development.

Finally, the state is moving to a new test vendor, Questar Assessment Inc. Questar has partnered with the State Education Department on the recent changes. Questar Assessment tests will be administered beginning in 2017, Pearson said.

In the near future, the state will release more test questions and release results before the end of the school year. Additionally, the Assessments will be completely computer-based by 2020, Pearson and Harris said.

Kendall School District Superintendent Julie Christensen said the entire presentation will be available on the school’s website (Click here).