JHS PTSA to Hold Meet the Candidates Night on May 13

The Jamestown High School PTSA is holding a Candidate’s Forum for the four people, Frank Galeazzo, Gina Sink, Nina Karbacka and Krysta Rives, that are running for two open seats on the Board of Education. The candidates will introduce themselves and be asked questions. This event is scheduled for Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Administration Building at 197 Martin Road, Jamestown, New York. We will live stream the Candidate’s Forum at www.jpsny.org/election.          

Due to New York State guidelines requiring social distancing and our space limitations, should you want to attend the forum in person, please email jaunita.m.walter@jpsny.org OR call 716-483-4420 to reserve a space prior to Thursday, May 13th at 10:00 a.m.  This will ensure we don't exceed New York state guidelines.  A COVID-19 screening form will have to be completed and masks will have to be worn until seated.

The public can also email questions to the BOE@jpsny.org by the end of the day on May 11, 2021.

JPS Board of Education Approves 2021-22 Budget for Community Vote

The Jamestown Board of Education approved the 2021-22 Budget to be sent to community vote on Tuesday, May 18. The 2021-22 Budget, in the amount of $89,879,178, includes 0% tax impact to the local community.

Some of the highlights of the proposed budget includes: a community navigator, two new school psychologists, an increase in contracted social workers, a reading and literacy coordinator, music equipment, music travel, athletic equipment, athletic uniforms and technology equipment. The community navigator is a new position to help provide a connection between JPS’ Latino population and the district. Due to language barriers or other reasons, JPS’ Hispanic population has expressed a desire to have a person who has a solid connection to the Latino population and can speak Spanish, to act as a liaison between the schools and the community.

The 2021-22 School Budget & Capital Improvement Project vote and School Board elections will be held on Tuesday, May 18^th from noon to 9 p.m. Registered voters can vote at Lincoln Elementary School and Jefferson and Washington Middle Schools. If you have questions on how to register to vote or obtain an absentee ballot, or where you should vote, please contact JPS District Clerk, Jaunita Walter, at 716-483-4420 or email jaunita.m.walter@jpsny.org.

For more information, please visit www.jpsny.org/budget.

Jamestown BOE Approves Capital Improvement Project For Community Vote

The Jamestown Board of Education approved a five-year, $86.5 million dollar Capital Improvement Project to be presented to community members for a vote on Tuesday, May 18. As JPS is reimbursed at a rate of 98 percent for capital projects, and the district has saved the remaining two percent needed to fund the local share, there would be no local tax impact for the proposed $86.5 million project. The Capital Improvement Project has three goals: modernizing classrooms and student spaces, improving safety and security, and maintaining our investment in our school buildings.

The Capital Improvement Project will start with six schools - Jamestown High School, Persell Middle School, Fletcher Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Ring Elementary School, Tech Academy & the Bus Garage. In addition, there will be district wide IT upgrades at all Jamestown schools.

There will be a public hearing on the Capital Improvement Project as part of the Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. in the Persell Middle School auditorium. The vote for the Capital Improvement Project will take place for registered voters on Tuesday, May 18 from noon to 9 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Washington Middle School. If a community member has questions on registering to vote, please contact JPS District Clerk, Jaunita Walter, at 716-483-4420 or email jaunita.a.walter@jpsny.org by May 4, 2021.