Forestville schools approve emergency repairs
Forestville schools approve emergency repairs
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured are some of the newest hires of the Forestville Central School District. From left to right: Emily Merrill, Emily Thomas, Jennifer Newkirk, Courtney Strozewski, Jessica Howes, Tyler Morgan, Kristen Bellis, Mishel Tsoncheva, Elizabeth Privitera, Jennifer Hodkin, and Rebecca Thornton. Not pictured: David Coia, Jessica Eggleston, Chelsea Raczka, and Grace Rakiecki.
The entrance of Forestville Elementary School is one of several areas of the district that necessitated an emergency project to address steel-based issues with the district’s facilities.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured are some of the newest hires of the Forestville Central School District. From left to right: Emily Merrill, Emily Thomas, Jennifer Newkirk, Courtney Strozewski, Jessica Howes, Tyler Morgan, Kristen Bellis, Mishel Tsoncheva, Elizabeth Privitera, Jennifer Hodkin, and Rebecca Thornton. Not pictured: David Coia, Jessica Eggleston, Chelsea Raczka, and Grace Rakiecki.
The entrance of Forestville Elementary School is one of several areas of the district that necessitated an emergency project to address steel-based issues with the district’s facilities.
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FORESTVILLE -- Capital improvements at Forestville Central Schools have not gone as smoothly as the District would have hoped. Steel-based structural concerns uncovered during construction throughout the District's facilities have led the Board of Education to pursue an emergency repair project of up to $175,000 to address the issues.
The project is deemed necessary because of significant and unexpected structural deficiencies. Deteriorated steel will be removed and replaced, as recommended by Young and Wright Architectural. The project will be funded by the District's General Fund, with State Building Aid expected as reimbursement at a later date.
At its latest meeting, the Board of Education passed multiple resolutions pertaining to the emergency repair project, which was declared as a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. One of the resolutions passed by the Board defined the project as "immediately necessary to ensure the health and safety of District employees, students and other users of the facilities."
The front entrance at Forestville Elementary School and the boiler room at the Middle/High School are among the areas with the most significant issues. Other areas of the district had issues, as well, but the contingencies in the project were able to cover most of the cost.
The steps at the entrance of the Middle/High School were removed and have yet to be replaced. Addressing that will come later in the school year at an additional cost, likely coming from the District's reserve funds. Elementary Cafeteria renovations are still ongoing, with meals being served in the gymnasium.
The Board also accepted the independent audit report prepared by R.A. Mercer for the 2025-26 school year. The District received a clean audit report. A corrective action plan was also approved.
The Board held its second reading of a policy pertaining to data privacy and security for students, teachers and principals. An agreement between the District and Rocket Monitoring for the 2026-27 school year was also approved, as well as a shared athletic program agreement with Silver Creek Central Schools.
Shauna McMahon's official appointment as Director of Special Education was also approved at the recent meeting, along with her official resignation from the role of Elementary Principal. The District is in the interview process for a permanent Elementary Principal. Todd Crandall is serving as Interim Principal until a permanent hire is finalized.
Kristen Bellis was hired as a 10-month Bus Driver, effective Sept. 15. Brennan Lincoln was approved as a substitute Uncertified Teacher and Food Service Helper.
Five SUNY Fredonia students were approved for field experience at Forestville schools, including Abery Harvey, Livia Gorlewski, Claire VanCise, Damarielys Cruz-Vargas, and Cassidy Bellows.
The Board of Education also welcomed the newest members of the district for a reception at its latest meeting. Of the 15 hires since the end of last school year, 11 were in attendance at the meeting, including Kristen Bellis, Jennifer Hodkin, Jessica Howes, Emily Merrill, Tyler Morgan, Jennifer Newkirk, Elizabeth Privitera, Courtney Strozewski, Emily Thomas, Rebecca Thornton, and Mishel Tsoncheva.
The next Forestville Board of Education meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Middle/High School Library.