“The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you’re really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you’ve been in the deepest valley can you know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

May 3, 2002

“The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you’re really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you’ve been in the deepest valley can you know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

- - Richard M. Nixon

Greetings from Wayne Central School District. Below are some items of interest.

Newsletter:

Awards Ceremony – Last evening was the undergraduate awards assembly. One hundred sixty nine awards were earned by our 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade students. It was a wonderful event and we should be pleased with our students accomplishments. We are planning an even bigger event for next year! Our Board family was well represented with three Board member’s children earning awards.

Budget Tax Rate - Greg has reviewed both the Walworth and Ontario assessment figures. Retaining a 4 million assessment cushion, the tax rate increase will be 7%. The levy will remain at 9.2%. This is one of the few times that the tax rate is substantially lower than the levy. It is estimated that a taxpayer with a $100,000 home will see an $88 increase in taxes. For those using an escrow account it will amount to a $7.33 monthly payment change. The one factor we don’t yet have is the equalization rate. We won’t have that until late July/early August.

I have begun my budget presentations. The next one will occur Monday night for the Superintendent-Parent Advisory Group. So far the reception has been good. The key will be for all of us to stay very positive about our budget.

Ginna – Since coming to Wayne, one of my “must do” tasks has been to figure out a way to stop the 13-15 million dollar decline in the assessment at Ginna. We may be beginning that task. RGE has agreed to meet with the school and the Town to discuss the feasibility of a pilot program. A pilot (payment in lieu of taxes) would provide a pre-determined amount of taxes for a fixed number of years. Usually they run 5-10 years. I completed a successful pilot negotiation for the Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant in my previous district, and believe there are some strong possibilities with this one. I would love to be able to say that this year would be the last one in which we see a Ginna decline. I will keep you abreast as we proceed and will need strong input from the Board once the first “Getting to Know You” meeting is complete.

Three Boards Meeting – If there is an item you feel should be discussed at the Three Boards meeting, please let me know. We should plan to review the Three Boards discussions at our May 14 Board meeting.

Events -

May 6 – Supt-Parent Advisory Group – HS PAC – 7:00 p.m.
May 7 – Policy Committee Meeting – DO Conference Room – 4:00 p.m.
May 7 – FE Band & Chorus Concert – HS PAC – 7:00 p.m.
May 7-9 – NYS Math Standards Testing (Grades 4 & 8)
May 9 – OP 2^nd Grade Concert – HS PAC – 7:00 p.m.
May 13 – HS PTSO meeting – HS Conference Room – 7:00 p.m.
May 14 – OP/OE PTA Meeting – OE Cafeteria – 3:30 p.m.
May 14 – Board Budget Hearing – HS (location TBD) – 7:00 p.m.
May 15 – Construction Meeting –Location – 3:00 p.m.
May 16 - 7th & 8^th Grade Band Concert – HS PAC – 7:30 p.m.
May 17 – HS Junior Prom – Burgundy Basin Inn
May 20 – Three Board’s meeting – Ontario Town Hall – 7:00 p.m.
June 6 – Four County School Boards Annual Dinner Meeting – All members/spouses
Belhurst Castle, Geneva 5:30 Social; 6:30 dinner; 7:45 Business Meeting; 8:15 Guest Speaker
Dinner selections: Prime Rib, Almond/Raisin Dressed Chicken, Atlantic Salmon
Guest Speaker – Dr. Katherine Keough, President, St. John Fisher College
Please let Lori know if you are interested in attending

Athletics: (home games)

5/4 – JV & V Baseball and Softball Tournament – Hosted at Wayne Central – All Day
5/6 – V Baseball vs. Pal-Mac – 4:15 p.m.
5/6 – Boys’ V Tennis vs. Honeoye – 4:15 p.m.
5/6 – V Softball vs. Pal-Mac – 4:15 p.m.
5/7 – V Softball vs. Lyons – 4:15 p.m.
5/8 – V Baseball vs. Williamson – 4:15 p.m.
5/9 – JV Softball vs. Bishop Kearney – 4:15 p.m.
5/10 – V Baseball vs. Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
5/10 – V Softball vs. Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
5/13 – JV Baseball vs. Newark – 4:15 p.m.
5/13 – V Boys’ Tennis vs. Newark – 4:15 p.m.
5/13 – JV Softball vs. Newark – 4:15 p.m.