Dear Canastota School Community,
In the course of our annual review of programs and budgets, the District analyzes a wide range of factors that shape our plan for the coming year. One area that has been closely analyzed pertains to the grade configuration of the District. Specifically, our buildings and how grade levels are arranged. Does our current structure provide the best access for students to obtain academic, social and emotional resources? After an extensive review of the programmatic and fiscal considerations that play into our decision-making process, the District is planning to provide an overview of a proposed configuration that would commence in the 2024-2025 school year.
Among the proposals is the formation of a Middle School structure similar to a number of our neighboring districts in the interest of best supporting students. One piece of our plan also involves a potential change in Pre-K vendors for the District. Operationally a program can be offered in several ways: A District can staff and run their program or contract through a vendor. Some districts contract with a BOCES while some contract with certified daycares, head starts or other types of recognized organizations approved by the Office of Early Learning. The District is looking at a similar partnership with our local Head Start for a variety of reasons. Not only is the Head Start program comparable in terms of quality of program, but it also represents a partnership that is an important part of our local community. This program of indisputably comparable quality also comes at a reduced expense to taxpayers.
Please note that an overview of the proposed configuration will be presented at our public Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 pm. At this session, a rationale for the potential changes (programmatic and fiscal) will be laid out, and many of the most frequent questions associated with this potential move will be discussed. I’m confident that when you are aware of all of the pieces of the puzzle, the proposals will make sense. If you are interested in learning more about these potential shifts, please plan on joining us Tuesday evening. I am equally confident that after the public session the vast majority of our community will be pleased with these potential shifts in configuration and operation.
Please take an opportunity to submit questions through the questionnaire link below to ensure all questions can be answered during public presentation. I look forward to seeing you Tuesday.
Sincerely
Superintendent Bissetta