December 10, 2004

“The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. “ --Jay Leno

This will be a short letter because we just met last night.

Newsletter:

1. Supervisor Numbers - I have listed below the Wayne County Supervisors and their weighted voting number. A measure needs 2113 weighted votes to pass. Conversely we have always tried to make sure we have 2113 votes on our side to keep the sales tax revenue.

2. Schaumberg Decision - Enclosed is the full Schaumberg decision. I am very pleased with the arbitrator’s decision. He supported our contention that there never had been a past practice because we had never encountered such a set of circumstances before. I was also pleased with his language on page 21 in which he agrees with our point that such statements are not appropriate. I would like to recognize Mr. Blankenberg who went through a rather lengthy, uncomfortable ordeal as the district’s only witness. He was highly praised by Mr. Solomon for his efforts as well.

3. Sexual Harassment - We have a fourth grade boy who has made some sexual advances on girls in his class. He has also used vulgar language in talking to them. This is a very unusual thing to happen at an elementary building. I believe it has all the makings of sexual harassment. We have a policy that deals with this. I have directed our title nine officer (Mr. Spring) to conduct an investigation and report his findings to me. Even if it is determined that it isn’t a title nine offense, it is a disciplinary offense. He has received both out of school and in-school suspension. He is a student with disabilities. He parents are upset with us for disciplining him. The girls’ parents are upset with us because their children were subjected to his behavior.

4. Ontario Walworth Dollars for Scholars - The Dollars for Scholars program is teaming with The Downstairs Cabaret Theatre to bring a special performance of “I’ve Got The Music In Me.” The cost of the event is $10.00 per person and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Dollars for Scholars program to support scholarships for the Class of 2005. Tickets can be purchased at 104 Contractors, Konstantinou’s Restaurant, and the Wayne Central District Office.

5. Ginna Drill - We conducted our annual Ginna emergency evacuation drill today. As you know, we are mandated to perform an unscheduled emergency evacuation drill each year, because of our proximity to Ginna. In order to be able to evacuate our entire district, we need to “borrow” busses and drivers from Gananda and Penfield School Districts. This year, it appeared, was going to be a problem, since both those districts were on half day schedules. However, our thanks goes to both those districts and especially, our own transportation staff for making it all happen smoothly once again. The district was fully evacuated in 45 minutes, which is a standard amount of time. Considering we have to call all our bus drivers at their homes or cell phones, get them to report, ready a bus, drive the busses to their assigned buildings, and load all the children; 45 minutes is a commendable response. Thanks to all our staff for a job well done.

6. Weisenreder Community Outreach Fund – The Wayne Teacher's Association (WTA) is raffling off a Holiday Baking Basket to benefit the Weisenreder/Community Outreach Fund. This is a fund that was set up to help families in need due to health issues or crisis situations. Tickets will be sold before and after many of the building's holiday programs and at each individual building. Please see a building representative or buy your ticket(s) at one of the concerts. The winning ticket will be drawn on Dec. 16^th.

7. Manor House - The Code Officer of the Town of Ontario, Ed Collins has done an inspection of the new Manor House (really farm house) used as part of the Eagle Ventures program. As many of you know, this building is located on Lake Road. He found multiple violations of the structure and recommended we Cease & Desist occupancy. The students have been moved out. We are attempting to use the original Manor House, which we believe has a CO, through Christmas. We have held two emergency meetings and are developing plans for a long-term solution. This is an excellent program which needs an off site location to be successful.

8. Scholar Athletes - We had three teams earn recognition by section five as NYS Scholar-Athlete Teams (based on their average GPA). They were girls tennis, boys cross-county and girls volleyball. That is a great accomplishment and we are quite proud of them. Also in athletics, our girls’ basketball team recently won the Midlakes Tip-off Tournament for the second year in a row.

9. Events -
12/11 – Holiday Dance Show - PAC
12/15 – MS Band Concert – PAC – 7:00 p.m.
12/19 – HS Band & Chorus Concert – PAC – 2:30 p.m.
12/24-31 – Schools Closed – Holiday Recess
1/9 – Downstairs Cabaret Theatre supporting “Dollars for Scholars” @ PAC – 3:00 p.m.

Athletics - (Home Games)
12/9 – JV & V Wrestling vs. Mexico – 6:00 & 7:00 p.m.
12/9 – Girls’ Freshman Basketball vs. Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
12/10 – Boys’ JV & V Basketball vs. Victor – 6:00 & 7:30
12/13 – Boys’ Freshman Basketball vs. Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
12/14 – Boys’ JV & V Wrestling vs. Victor – 6:00 & 7:00 p.m.
12/15 – Girls’ JV & V Basketball vs. Canandaigua - 6:00 & 7:30
12/15 – Co-Ed V Bowling vs. Newark @ Empire Lanes – 4:15 p.m.
12/16 – Co-Ed V Bowling vs. Marcus Whitman @ Empire Lanes – 4:15 p.m.
12/17 – Boys’ Freshman Basketball vs. Geneva – 4:15 p.m.
12/17 – Girls’ JV & V Basketball vs. Geneva – 6:00 & 7:30
12/21 – Boys’ JV & V Basketball vs. Pal-Mac – 6:00 & 7:30
12/22 – Girls’ Freshman Basketball vs. Aquinas – 4:15 p.m.

10. Attachments –
a. County Supervisors Weighted Voting Information
b. Schaumberg Decision