Christmann starts job on informative note

by Kathy Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, February 16, 2007

New Grand Island School Superintendent Robert Christmann in his office. (photo by Joe Eberle)

Grand Island School Superintendent Robert Christmann’s first Board of Education meeting since his official start on Feb. 2 proved to be informative. Although Grand Island’s winter weather made for a chilly beginning to his tenure, the new superintendent received a warm reception at a meet-and-greet session prior to the formal board meeting

In his report late in the meeting, Christmann commented that on his first official day he “learned how to close school” due to the frigid wind chills of last week. He said he is “impressed by the staff we have in our school district,” and that the 2007-08 budget has taken “a good amount of time” since he started.

Christmann said that he welcomes the sharing of ideas from staff and parents alike and that he wants to address both the positive as well as “some concerns” regarding the budget process. He also commended District Clerk Janet Schuster as “a jewel” and an “outstanding asset to this district.”

Christmann’s remarks to the board came after he had spent four hours in a “meet and greet” reception in the small cafeteria in the high school. The superintendent spoke informally with staff, parents and the media regarding his plans and concerns for Grand Island students. He was candid about his need for some time to “dig into” important issues, especially the budget process.

Students honored

In other school board action:

•The board started its meeting with “Good News” recognition of student Professionals of the Month, awarded to Grand Island High School students by the KenTon Career and Technical Center of Erie I BOCES. The students recognized were: Ashley Curry, Kelsey Nordvik, Lauryn Clingersmith and Natalie Suppa. Students of the Month at the KenTon Center were John Bidell, Andrew Hooper, Shannon Curry, Kyle Kraft, Kris Haisch, Cory Butler, Justin Raiser and Shannon Tegler.

•Next, Sally Goris of the Grand Island Foundation spoke about the Distinguished Alumnae Award. Founded in 1998 by trustee Myrna Blair, the foundation recognizes Grand Island High School graduates from a decade ago or longer who have excelled professionally and are deemed as positive role models for students and the community. This year’s awards will be presented at a student assembly on Friday, April 20, at 12:45 p.m.

DECA Competition

High school teacher Cheryl Chamberlain also spoke about the DECA competition to be held in Rochester on March 7-9. Chamberlain heads the business club and told trustees that DECA has become “the fastest growing club” at the high school. She said that several members will be attending the nationals for the first time in Orlando, Fla., in April.

In other business, Dr. Karen Karmazin, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, told trustees that Kids Voting 2006 was a success, with a large number of the district’s students participating. Kids Voting allows students to vote in mock elections, while their parents vote for real on Election Day at the various polling places on Grand Island. Karmazin thanked organizers Lynn Malley, Nancy Peters, Kathy Fick and Jim Randells. “This project is a huge task, “ she explained, and “It is a great lesson in civics.”

Improvement Project

•Next, Loraine Ingrasci, assistant superintendent for Business and Finance, gave an update on the district’s capital improvement project. “The middle school and bus garage piece (of the project) has been signed and sent to New York state,” she said. Approval of these roof repairs would take six to eight weeks, then a three- to four-week bidding process would begin. She anticipated that board approval of a bid could come as early as May 2007, so that roofing could be done in the summer.

Some of the improvements can be accomplished during the 2007-08 school year, with other things waiting until the summer of 2008, when all approval and bidding processes are complete. The most expensive parts of the plan are the reroofing of the high school/middle school complex at a cost of $2,377,781 and of the bus garage, at $526,000.

Next Meeting

The next Grand Island Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 26, in the Middle School Little Theatre at 7 p.m.