Town Hall Meetings, Annual Vote & Election, District Priorities and Test Kits

Good Morning Honeoye!

Despite the 70 degrees anticipated on Thursday, winter has made a comeback in the Finger Lakes region.  I hope that you and yours are faring well as we slowly transition into SPRING!  

I am reaching out this morning to provide updates around the following:

• Upcoming Town Hall Meetings,
• 2022-23 Budget Annual Vote and Election, 
• A Path Forward...District Priorities, and  
• Additional COVID test kit Availability

Save the Date! Town Halls Scheduled for Thursday, 4/7/2022 

• Given the positive feedback and collaborative benefit to hosting Town Hall meetings, HCS has scheduled quarterly Town Hall meetings this school year.  As such, building administrators will be available to provide updates from respective areas and to respond to questions from families and students during voluntary, virtual Town Hall Meetings scheduled for Thursday, April 7. 
• The virtual Elementary Town Hall is scheduled on 4/07 from 6:00 - 7:00.
  • Google Meet link will be provided closer to scheduled date.
• The virtual Secondary Town Hall is scheduled on 4/07 from 7:00 - 8:00.  
  • Google Meet link will be provided closer to scheduled date. 

2022-23 Budget : Annual Vote and Election
It is difficult to imagine that we are three marking periods into this school year, and we find ourselves immersed in the timeline for development of the 2022-23 budget cycle. Our district budget represents the "numerical expression" of our vision, mission, values, and goals. Given the forecasted financial horizon, it will be incumbent upon HCS to factor in the "known" variables to ensure we may create a balanced budget which reflects continuity of rich academic programming and a longstanding tradition of excellence for students.  Our "known" variables include not only our current and past expenditures and revenues, but also increased healthcare costs (21.9%), still rising energy costs, and contractual obligations.

HCS will elect three members to the Board of Education this year.  There are two (2) for three (3)
year terms commencing July 1, 2022 and expiring on June 30, 2025 to succeed Erika Asquino and James Sykes, whose terms expire on June 30 of this year. There is also one (1) for a one (1) year term commencing July 1, 2022 and expiring on June 30, 2023 to succeed Cyndi Sherman whose temporary appointment will expire on June 30 of this year. The two (2) candidates with the highest number of votes each will be appointed to a three (3) year term. The candidate with the third highest number of votes will be appointed to the one (1) year term.  If you are interested in becoming an HCS BOE member, please visit our website to obtain more information.  

Important Calendar Dates, Specific to Annual Budget Vote and Election
Note: Please refer to our honeoye.org for more information about times and meeting locations.

• April 6: Budget Workshop #2 during Regular Meeting of the Board
• April 18: Board Member Petitions due
• April 19: BOE Candidate Lot Drawing
• April 20: BOE adoption of the Property Tax Report Card  during Regular Meeting of the Board
• April 21: Presentation of 2022-23 Budget to Rotary, time/location TBD
• April 27: Presentation of 2022-23 Budget to PTA, time/location TBD 
• April 27-29: Mail Budget Book
• May 4: Budget Hearing, 6:00 PM @LGI
• May 17: Annual Meeting - Uniform Statewide Budget Vote and BOE Election, between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, at the Honeoye Central School in the Auditorium Foyer
• May 18: BOE acceptance of 2022-2023 Budget Results

HCS District Priorities
At HCS, we are steadfast in our resolve and commitment to continuous improvement and to secure optimal outcomes for all HCS students. We want each and every Bulldog to have equal access to learning, opportunity, and life's chances for success. To guide our efforts, the district engages in a continuous improvement process which involves:

• Anchoring in to district mission and vision,
• Analysis of current programming and practice,
• Identification of areas of opportunity which better align practice with vision,
• Development and implementation of actionable items, and
• Monitoring impact of action items.

As a result of collaborative work with internal and external stakeholders, we have identified four priority areas which will be the focus of work over the next several years:

1. High levels of student achievement and engagement
2. Safe and supportive learning environment
3. Community partnership
4. Fiscal stewardship

Like a district's budget is the numerical expression of a district's vision, a strategic plan is an important tool because it provides a roadmap for desired outcomes. The HCS strategic planning priorities document is a pragmatic and operational tool for guiding day-to-day decisions and also for evaluating progress in our aspirations to move forward.

I am proud of the collaborative effort engaged in to produce the A Path Forward, Strategic Planning at HCS priorities document. I am appreciative of the faculty, staff members, parents, students and administration who have participated and contributed to the development of priority areas and action items. We may have been consumed with the navigation of COVID-19 the last two years, but HCS is vigorously engaging in "the work" of our mission and vision with intentionality.

Additional COVID Rapid Test Kit Availability
NYSDOH has procured and provided additional shipments of rapid COVID test kits for school districts across the state. In fact, they have been providing weekly distributions to schools. As a result, HCS has amassed a significant inventory of rapid test kits.  If you are interested in obtaining COVID rapid test kits, please do not hesitate to reach out to Marybeth Tonkery in the health office via [email protected].  Test kits may be distributed by student backpack or by pick up at the school.  

• Each test kit contains two rapid tests.
• To be clear, there is no requirement to test. This initiative is intended to assist parents with access to reliable and quick testing options as part of the solution in keeping schools open.

On behalf of the entire HCS team, we appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in advocacy for all of our students.  As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts about the information contained in this communication, or otherwise. Be safe and be well... Have a terrific week!

Sincerely,
E. Bridget Ashton

Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District
8528 Main Street
Honeoye, New York 14471
[email protected]
On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton