After visiting schools in Canandaigua, Shortsville and Newark, including Newark Middle School and Wayne -Finger Lakes Early College Technology School (PTECH), Regent Adrian Hale, who represents the 7th Judicial District on the New York State Board of Regents, met with and discussed pressing topics of regional interest and concern with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES administrators and four area school district superintendents February 6th in Newark.
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The 90-minute meeting, held in the Newark Central School District Office conference room was attended by Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES Superintendent Lynne Rutnick who arranged for Hale’s visit _ WFL BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Innovation & Accountability Michele Sullivan, WFL BOCES Director of Communications Shannon Marshall, NCSD Superintendent Susan Hasenauer, NCSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Krista Lewis, Geneva School District Superintendent Bo Wright, Victor Central School District Superintendent Timothy Terranova and Waterloo Central School District Interim Superintendent Robert Banzer.
Among topics discussed were: the proposed 2024-2025 NYS budget and its impact on education; unfunded mandates and diminishing resources, recommendations from the state’s Blue Ribbon Commission regarding graduation requirements and implications on Regents exams; school discipline guidelines; school safety requirements; annual teacher evaluations; career and technical education programing, electric bus mandates and more.
"The Wayne-Finger Lakes Superintendents and I resonate with Regent Hale's passion and commitment to creating excellence for every student. We were very honored to highlight our incredible Wayne-Finger Lakes region for Regent Hale,” Rutnick said. “During these visits, it was our goal to focus on the diverse needs and opportunities for forward-thinking as we look towards the future. The importance of his visit to our area schools cannot be understated, and we remain unified around the priorities needed to support our region's educational success. We are so appreciative of his time and for our districts and students who were able to share what they are accomplishing each and every day."
Hasenauer said she greatly appreciated the opportunity for she and other area superintendents to “speak with Regent Hale about the educational priorities we strongly believe in. He truly took the time to listen, see our students and teachers in action, and explain what he knew and understood regarding our questions and articulated how he would advocate for our districts.”
“I’ve known Regent Hale for a long time,” Wright said. “I admire how he consistently champions the needs of our region. His dedication to improving educational opportunities for students is truly commendable. His visit to area school districts and the conversation he had with local superintendents yesterday demonstrates his commitment to collaborative problem solving and effective governance.”
Hale, who since March of 2023 has represented Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties as Regent for the 7th Judicial District said he found the meeting in Newark to be “extremely informative.”
“This is my way of leading. I need to know what the people on the front lines are dealing with and the challenges they are facing so we can work together for appropriate remedies,’’ he said. “Lynne Rutnick is great and was so gracious and this meeting was the first of many ongoing meetings and dialog in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region.”