Jump to content

Grand Island Central School District

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by D-Day (talk | contribs) at 01:43, 15 February 2021 (→‎Veronica E. Connor Middle School). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Grand Island Central School District
Location
Grand Island, New York
District information
GradesK-12
SuperintendentBrian S. Graham
Schools5
Students and staff
District mascotVikings
Other information
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & InstructionKaren Cuddy-Miller
Assistant Superintendent of School Business ServicesJoseph Giarrizzo
WebsiteGrand Island Central School District

The Grand Island Central School District is a New York State public school district that serves the town of Grand Island in Erie County. The district consists of 5 schools–3 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The middle and high schools share the same address and building. From 2013 to 2017, the district underwent a $58 million renovation, dubbed the "Capital Project" locally. This project included improvements to the district's lighting, air conditioning, auditoriums, gymnasiums, wireless Internet, as well as the addition of new academic wings. Grand Island is known regionally for their music program, and was designated for their community excellence in 2012-2016.[1] More recently, mostly due to the capital project, Grand Island has also become more involved in state and regional technology-related activities.

Administration

The district offices are located at 1100 Ransom Road in Grand Island. The current superintendent is Dr. Brian Graham.

District administrators

  • Dr. Brian S. Graham–Superintendent
  • Mrs. Karen M. Cuddy-Miller–Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
  • Mr. Joseph A. Giarrizzo–Assistant Superintendent of School Business Services
  • Ms. Cheryl M. Cardone–Director of Pupil Personnel Services
  • Mr. Dennis Donovan–School Lunch Manager
  • Ms. Molly Marren–Director of Instructional Technology
  • Off. Christopher Pyc–School Resource Officer
  • Mr. Thomas Rachow–Maintenance Mechanic Crew Chief
  • Mr. Jeffrey S. Richards–Director of Human Resources and Staff Development
  • Mr. Jon N. Roth–Director of Athletics

Board of education

  • Mrs. Ashli Dreher–President
  • Mrs. Susan Marston–Vice President
  • Mr. Glenn Bobeck–Trustee
  • Mrs. Joy LaMarca–Trustee
  • Mrs. Robin McCreary–Trustee
  • Mr. Jay Grover–Trustee
  • Mrs. Nicole Novak–Trustee

[2]

Selected former superintendents

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

Grand Island Senior High School

Grand Island Senior High School
Address
1100 Ransom Road

Grand Island
,
Erie
,
New York
14072
Information
PrincipalMichael V. Lauria
Assistant
Principals
Hillary Kretz-Harvey
Karen Surdyke
Grades9-12
WebsiteGIHS

Grand Island Senior High School is located at 1100 Ransom Road and serves grades 9-12. The current principal is Mr. Michael Lauria, and the current assistant principals are Mrs. Hillary Harvey and Mrs. Karen Surdyke.

History

Grand Island Senior High School opened in September 1963, housing both the junior and senior high schools.

Renovations

Starting in 2013, the school was renovated to include a new technology wing, science classrooms, and new lighting in the auditorium and gymnasium. A new athletics complex was built, along with an updated front parking lot. [9]

Former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

Selected former assistant principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

Notable alumni

Veronica E. Connor Middle School

Veronica E. Connor Middle School
Address
1100 Ransom Road

Grand Island
,
Erie
,
New York
14072
Information
PrincipalJohn M. Fitzpatrick
Vice PrincipalAdam J. Buffomante
Grades6-8
WebsiteVCMS

Veronica E. Connor Middle School is located at 1100 Ransom Road and serves grades 6 through 8. The current principal is Mr. John Fitzpatrick and the current assistant principal is Mr. Adam Buffomante.

History

Grand Island Middle School opened on April 14, 1969. The school was named for former district Superintendent Veronica Connor on December 9, 1996.

Renovations

New classrooms, including a science center, gymnasium, wi-fi, parking lot, lighting, and technology were some of the renovations made to the middle school as part of the 2014 Capital Project.[9]

Former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

  • Mr. Robert B. Lewis–1969-1974 (Home-School Coordinator - Niagara Falls City School District, named Director of Secondary Education of Grand Island Central School District)
  • Mr. Ronald N. Franke–1974-1989[16] (Assistant Principal - Grand Island Middle School, placed on assignment)
  • Mrs. Agnes M. Becker–1989-1996 (Reading teacher - Grand Island Middle School, retired)
  • Mr. Bruce F. Benson–1996-2012 (Principal - Forestville Junior/Senior High School,[17] retired[15])
  • Mr. Jerry J. Parisi–2012-2014 (Assistant Principal - Grand Island High School, named Director of Guidance and Special Education of Carle Place School District)
  • Mrs. Cheryl Cardone [interim]–2014 (Director of Pupil Personnel Services - Grand Island Central School District, returned to position)
  • Mr. Matthew McKenna [interim]–2016 (Interim Assistant Principal - Veronica Conner Middle School, named Interim Assistant Principal of Grand Island High School)

Selected former assistant principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

  • Mr. Ronald N. Franke–1969-1974[16] (Guidance Counselor - Grand Island High School, named Principal of Grand Island Middle School)
  • Mr. Paul Fields–1986-1987 (Director of Manpower Services/Educational Services - Catholic Charities, named Assistant Superintendent of Alden Central School District[18])
  • Mrs. Agnes Becker–1987-1988 (Reading teacher - Grand Island Middle School, returned to position)
  • Mr. Augustus Young–1994-1995 (Vice Principal - Grand Island High School, resigned)
  • Mr. Carl A. Guidotti–1995-2009 (Physical Education Teacher - North Tonawanda High School, named Principal of Horseheads Middle School)
  • Mrs. Eleanor F. Payne–2009-2015 (Assistant Principal - Orchard Park Middle School, named Principal of Silver Creek Middle School[19])
  • Mr. Matthew McKenna [interim]–2015 (Principal - Lackawanna Middle School, named Interim Principal of Veronica Connor Middle School)
  • Mrs. Danielle Wallenhorst Hawkins–2015-2016 (Coordinator of Integration/Retention - Charter School for Applied Technologies, named Vice Principal of Newfane High School)
  • Mr. Maxwell Pikula–2016-2019 (Special Education Teacher - William Kaegebein Elementary School, named Principal of Huth Road Elementary School)

Huth Road Elementary School

Huth Road Elementary School
Address
1773 Huth Road

Grand Island
,
Erie
,
New York
14270
Information
Opened1958
PrincipalMaxwell Pikula
Grades2-5
WebsiteHuth Elementary School

Huth Road Elementary School is located at 1773 Huth Road and serves grades 2 through 5. The current principal is Mr. Max Pikula.

History

Huth Road Elementary opened on September 26, 1958.

Renovations

Starting in 2014, new lockers, improvements to classrooms, security, wi-fi, and floors were installed.[9]

Former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses

  • Mr. Thomas J. Tierney–1958-1979
  • Mr. L. Jeffrey Baltes–1979-1984
  • Dr. Paul J. Wietig–1984-1985 (Vice Principal - Grand Island Middle School, named Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Grand Island Central Schools)
  • Mrs. Marian M. Koppmann–1985-2002 (Special Education teacher - Grand Island Middle School, retired)
  • Mrs. Mary Haggerty–2002-2009 (Principal - Pinehurst Elementary School, named Principal of Kaegebein Elementary School)
  • Mrs. Kerri A. Nowak–2009-2017 (Principal - St. Benedict's School, placed on sabbatical leave[20])
  • Dr. Ami L. Alderman–2017-2019 (Instructional Coach - Grand Island Central School District, resigned)

William Kaegebein Elementary School

William Kaegebein Elementary School
Address
1690 Love Road

Grand Island
,
Erie
,
New York
14270
Information
PrincipalFelicia A. Pallaci
Grades2-5
WebsiteWilliam Kaegebein School

William Kaegebein Elementary School is located at 1690 Love Road and serves Grades 2 through 5. The current principal is Mrs. Felicia Pallaci.

History

William Kaegebein Elementary opened on February 9, 1953.

Renovations

2014 Renovations included a special education wing, new offices, kitchen, gym, library, conference room, and auditorium. Overall improvements to electrical, lighting, and technology were made as well. [9]

Former principals

  • Mrs. Beatrice Lawson Cady–1953-1971 (Teacher - Grand Island Schools, retired)
  • Mrs. Norma Sutter–1971-1977 (Curriculum Coordinator - West Seneca Central School District, retired)
  • Mr. George Wenner–1977-1989 (Teacher - Grand Island Central Schools, placed on sabbatical)
  • Mr. John J. Wiertel–1989-2009 (Principal - Wanakah Elementary School, retired)
  • Mrs. Mary Haggerty–2009-2020 (Principal - Huth Road Elementary School, retired)

Charlotte Sidway Elementary School

Charlotte Sidway Elementary School
Address
2451 Baseline Road

Grand Island
,
Erie
,
New York
14270
Information
PrincipalDenise Dunbar
GradesK-1
WebsiteCharlotte Sidway Elementary School

Charlotte Sidway Elementary School is located at 2451 Baseline Road and serves grades K through 1. The current principal is Mrs. Denise Dunbar.

History

Charlotte Sidway Elementary was the first school constructed under the new centralized Grand Island District. It opened on February 1, 1937 and operated until closing in 1983. During that time, the building was leased out to multiple businesses in the community.[21] It reopened in 1993 to serve grades PreK-1.

Renovations

Improvements to the main office, health office, select classrooms, the computer lab and library, wi-fi, gym, auditorium, kitchen and lockers were made.[9] In 2016, a new electronic sign was installed, despite the prior controversy preventing it.

Former principals

  • Ms. Veronica Connor–1937-1963 (Teacher - Grand Island Schools, named Supervising Principal of Grand Island Central School District)
  • Ms. Catherine DiVizio–1963-1983 (Elementary teacher - Charlotte Sidway School, retired)
  • Mrs. Arlene Lewis–1993-1998 (Reading Specialist - Amherst Central School District,[22] named Instructional Specialist for Williamsville Central Schools[23])
  • Mr. Frank J. Cannata–1998-2005 (Principal - East Side Elementary School, placed on leave[24])
  • Mr. Henry George Peters [interim]–2005-2006 (Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Education - Williamsville Central School District, retired)

District administration

Year Superintendent Sidway
Principal
Kaegebein
Principal
Huth
Principal
VCMS
Principal
VCMS
Asst. Principal
GIHS
Principal
GIHS
Asst. Principal
1963-1964 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Clyde Eidens Henry Fessard
1964-1965 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Clyde Eidens Henry Fessard
1965-1966 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Clyde Eidens Henry Fessard
1966-1967 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Clyde Eidens Henry Fessard
1967-1968 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Howard Fuller Henry Fessard
1968-1969 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1968-1969 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1969-1970 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1970-1971 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Beatrice Cady Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1971-1972 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1972-1973 Veronica Conner Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1973-1974 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Robert Lewis Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1974-1975 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1975-1976 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Ronald Franke Howard Fuller Joseph Chimento
1976-1977 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio Norma Sutter Thomas Tierney Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1977-1978 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Thomas Tierney Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1978-1979 Oscar Pultz Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Thomas Tierney Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1979-1980 Robert Courtemanche Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Jeffrey Baltes Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1980-1981 Robert Courtemanche Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Jeffrey Baltes Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1981-1982 Robert Courtemanche Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Jeffrey Baltes Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1982-1983 Robert Courtemanche Cathy DiVizio George Wenner Jeffrey Baltes Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1983-1984 Robert Courtemanche George Wenner Jeffrey Baltes Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1984-1985 Robert Courtemanche George Wenner Paul Wietig Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento
1985-1986 Robert Courtemanche George Wenner Peggy Koppman Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento Gerald Hale
1986-1987 Lee Cravotta George Wenner Peggy Koppman Ronald Franke Paul Fields James Walline Joseph Chimento Gerald Hale
1987-1988 Lee Cravotta George Wenner Peggy Koppman Ronald Franke Agnes Becker James Walline Joseph Chimento Gerald Hale
1988-1989 Lee Cravotta George Wenner Peggy Koppman Ronald Franke James Walline Joseph Chimento Gerald Hale
1989-1990 Lee Cravotta John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker James Walline Gerald Hale
1990-1991 Lee Cravotta John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker James Walline Gerald Hale Joan Johnston
1991-1992 Merton Haynes* John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker James Walline Gerald Hale
1992-1993 Paul Fields John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker James Walline Gus Young
1993-1994 Paul Fields Arlene Lewis John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker Gus Young* Carolyn Fabiano*
1994-1995 Paul Fields Arlene Lewis John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker Gus Young John Essler William Miller
1995-1996 Paul Fields Arlene Lewis John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Agnes Becker Carl Guidotti John Essler William Miller
1996-1997 Paul Fields Arlene Lewis John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti Hale*/Dempsey William Miller
1997-1998 Paul Fields Arlene Lewis John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
1998-1999 Paul Fields Frank Cannata John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
1999-2000 Paul Fields Frank Cannata John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2000-2001 Paul Fields Frank Cannata John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2001-2002 Paul Fields Frank Cannata John Wiertel Peggy Koppman Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2002-2003 Thomas Ramming Frank Cannata John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2003-2004 Thomas Ramming Frank Cannata John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2004-2005 Thomas Ramming Frank Cannata John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2005-2006 Thomas Ramming Hank Peters* John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti James Dempsey William Miller
2006-2007 Lawrence Zacher* Denise Dunbar John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti Sandy Anzalone Christopher Swiatek
2007-2008 Robert Christmann Denise Dunbar John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti Sandy Anzalone Christopher Swiatek Andres Arroyo
2008-2009 Robert Christmann Denise Dunbar John Wiertel Mary Haggerty Bruce Benson Carl Guidotti Sandy Anzalone Christopher Swiatek Andres Arroyo
2009-2010 Robert Christmann Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak Bruce Benson Eleanor Payne Sandy Anzalone Jerry Parisi Andres Arroyo
2010-2011 Robert Christmann Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak Bruce Benson Eleanor Payne Sandy Anzalone Jerry Parisi Andres Arroyo
2011-2012 Robert Christmann Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak Benson/Parisi Eleanor Payne Sandy Anzalone Parisi/Lauria Andres Arroyo
2012-2013 Christmann/Hashem* Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak Jerry Parisi Eleanor Payne Anzalone/Dempsey* Mike Lauria Andres Arroyo
2013-2014 Teresa Lawrence Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak Jerry Parisi Eleanor Payne Daniel Quartley Mike Lauria Andres Arroyo
2014-2015 Teresa Lawrence Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak John Fitzpatrick Eleanor Payne Daniel Quartley Mike Carter Corey Gray
2015-2016 Teresa Lawrence Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak John Fitzpatrick Danielle Hawkins Daniel Quartley Mike Carter Corey Gray
2016-2017 Brian Graham Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Kerry Nowak John Fitzpatrick Maxwell Pikula Michael Lauria Mike Carter Matthew McKenna*
2017-2018 Brian Graham Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Nowak/Alderman John Fitzpatrick Maxwell Pikula Michael Lauria Robert Julian Karen Surdyke
2018-2019 Brian Graham Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Ami Alderman John Fitzpatrick Maxwell Pikula Michael Lauria Robert Julian Karen Surdyke
2019-2020 Brian Graham Denise Dunbar Mary Haggerty Maxwell Pikula John Fitzpatrick Michael Lauria Hillary Harvey Karen Surdyke
2020-2021 Brian Graham Denise Dunbar Felicia Pallaci Maxwell Pikula John Fitzpatrick Adam Buffomante Michael Lauria Hillary Harvey Karen Surdyke

* denotes interim appointment

References

  1. ^ "Music Department". www.k12.ginet.org. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  2. ^ "Board of Education". www.grandislandschools.org. Archived from the original on 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  3. ^ McNeil, H. (1991, July 9). Island superintendent leaving for Oswego. The Buffalo News
  4. ^ Isle board names Haynes interim schools chief. (1991, August 6). The Buffalo News
  5. ^ Grand Island school chief is leaving. (2002, April 24). The Buffalo News, p. B3.
  6. ^ Piganto, T. J. (2002, May 14). Coppola to be interim school chief. The Buffalo News, p. B3.
  7. ^ Williams, D. (2002, October 1). Board picks Ramming as superintendent. The Buffalo News, p. B3.
  8. ^ Winchester, L. (2012, July 10). School superintendent to retire. The Buffalo News, p. B3.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Capital Project Overview.pdf" (PDF).
  10. ^ a b c d Safiuddin, F. (1994, July 12). Island taps Lockport educator as high school principal. The Buffalo News
  11. ^ Grand Island High taps principal. (1996, November 9). The Buffalo News, p. C5.
  12. ^ a b https://buffalonews.com/obituaries/features/james-r-dempsey-72-retired-grand-island-high-school-principal/article_253c1076-0364-11eb-8b94-d7b35e442078.html
  13. ^ Joseph Chimento, school administrator, musician - July 27, 1923 -- May 28, 2009. (2009, May 31). The Buffalo News, p. B5.
  14. ^ http://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/VHB008/id/5084/rec/1
  15. ^ a b Winchester, L. E. (2012, February 18). Board to name curriculum head. The Buffalo News, p. D2.
  16. ^ a b Ronald N. Franke, retired school principal - Sept. 15, 1932 -- Jan. 16, 2005. (2005, January 27). The Buffalo News, p. B5.
  17. ^ Grand Island principal named. (1996, July 10). The Buffalo News, p. B4.
  18. ^ LFC. (1992, February 21). New school superintendent has past island ties. Island Dispatch. Retrieved from http://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/VHB008/id/4338/rec/2
  19. ^ Gugino, N. (2014, December 11). Silver Creek appoints middle school principal. The Observer [Dunkirk].
  20. ^ https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/featured/2018/01/20/131191/grand-island-board-of-education-district-reveals-details-of-two-resolutions-from-december-meeting
  21. ^ Van Leaven, F. (1992, November 24). Reopening of old school is criticized. The Buffalo News
  22. ^ Cervantes, N. (1993, June 15). Teachers seek break in impasse. The Buffalo News
  23. ^ Haarlander, L. (1999, August 30). Principal seeks to head national group. The Buffalo News, p. B5.
  24. ^ Pasciak , M., & Sapong, E. (2004, December 17). Community stunned by principal's drug arrest. The Buffalo News, p. D1.