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4/17/2025: April 2025 District Newsletter
April 17, 2025 Dear WCS Students, Families, Staff and Community Members: We hope everyone has enjoyed a restful and fun-filled Spring Break! While students and staff have been away, it's been a busy and productive week across the district—with facilities projects, deep cleaning, and planning efforts underway to support a strong finish to the school year. We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our Marauders on Monday, April 21 and look forward to all the excitement, growth, and celebration that the spring season brings. Should you have some time over the long holiday weekend, we hope that you will seize the opportunity to sift through our April 2025 District Newslette r to learn more about teaching, learning, support services, and upcoming events at the Williamson Central School District. Be certain to scroll through this month's issue to see contributions about District Safety, Administrative Reconfiguration, Strategic Planning, Facilities Update. 2025-26 Budget Update, Building Newsletters, District Level Updates, Health Related Updates from Bethany Moore, Reminders from Technology Department, Athletics Updates from Bryon Rockow, Operational Updates from Food Service and Transportation, and so much more! As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the district. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts about the information included in this communication, or otherwise. Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Thursday, Apr 17 2025
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Shout out to WCS Assistant Principals!
April 11, 2025 Good Morning, Given that it is Assistant Principals' Week, I invite you to join me in thanking WCS Assistant Principals - Michael Pray (mpray@williamsoncentral.org), Bryon Rockow (brockow@williamsoncentral.org) and Jessica Craft (jcraft@williamsoncentral.org) - for the incredible dedication, leadership, and support they bring to our school community every day. Happy Friday and have a wonderful Spring Break! Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Friday, Apr 11 2025
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4/11/2025: Administrative Reconfiguration in 2025-26...
April 11, 2025 Good Morning, As of the time of this writing, we are merely hours away from Spring Break! Soon, we begin the tangible countdown of days to commencement for the graduating Class of 2025... Exciting and yet in so many ways, it feels like we just kicked off the school year! Reminder: Spring Recess School will be closed April 14 - April 18 for Spring Recess. School will reopen for all students and staff on April 21, 2025. Administrative Reorganization in 2025-26 I am writing to inform you all about upcoming administrative reconfiguration s for the 2025-26 school year. The proposed administrative reconfiguration reflects a strength based approach to consideration of individual admin team member contributions and strengths while best positioning us to reach for new heights within a reduced , reconfigured model of leadership at WCS. "The only thing that is constant is change." – Heraclitus During a regular meeting of the Board of Education on April 9th, the Board approved the below recommendations for appointment, effective July 1, 2025: ES Principal: Kelly Colling (formerly Director of Pupil Personnel Services) ES Assistant Principal & Associate of Student and Family Services : Jessica Craft MS Principal: Kathryn Taylor MS Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Bryon Rockow HS Principal: Robert Snyder HS Assistant Principal & Data Coordinator : TBD Thank you to Michael Pray for his service to the district! The Board of Education accepted Mr. Pray's resignation for the purpose of retirement during a Regular Meeting of the Board on 4/9. Dr. Snyder plans to share information about the timeline and logistics of hiring process upon return from Spring Break. Parents/guardians, students, and staff will be invited to consider participation in the hiring process as potential interview committee participants. Stay tuned! Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services : Rachel Liberatore (formerly Assistant Superintendent of Instruction) The Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services at Williamson Central School District will lead and oversee a variety of student support programs, including special education, ENL, mental health, counseling, health services, student registration, and services for homeless, and foster care. Additionally, the Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services will supervise and lead programming for the Trauma Illness Grief (TIG) team, Community Schools, homeschooling, and grant writing. Coordinator of Instruction, Innovation and Intervention: Karen Hoody (formerly MTSS Intervention Coordinator) The Instruction, Innovation, and Intervention Coordinator at Williamson Central School District will oversee the delivery of high-quality, research-based instruction and interventions across the district. Key responsibilities include managing Tier 1 universal instruction, implementing MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), promoting literacy and math initiatives, supporting the development of new courses (including Career and Technical Education), and aligning curriculum with the district’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative. The role also involves supporting state testing, managing the district's curriculum review cycle, integrating instructional technology, and handling state reporting and grant writing. Our new administrative structure reflects our commitment to student outcomes/wellbeing and optimal operational efficiencies for the district. On behalf of the WCS leadership team, we would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve the students, families and larger Williamson community. As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the district. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts about the information included in this communication, or otherwise. Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Friday, Apr 11 2025
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4/4/2025: SRO Assignment, Anticipated June Calendar ...
Good Afternoon, Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful blue skies and sunshine today. Eager for spring, yet it looks like we may anticipate snow again next week! I am reaching out with a few updates for your consideration as we wrap up the week. Reminder: Spring Recess School will be closed April 14 - April 18 for Spring Recess. School will reopen for all students and staff on April 21, 2025. SRO Assignment Change, Effective April 7, 2025 Deputy Hannah Ruffell will be rejoining us at WCS effective April 7 tentatively through the remainder of the school year. As you might recall, Deputy Ruffell was here for a a period of time last year and is extremely excited to be back with us! Deputy Ruffell is a graduate of Wayne Central and attended the University of Albany. She loves being outdoors, camping and hiking. She has two Shetland Sheep Dogs, Honey and Harley, that she enjoys spending time with and also volunteers as an EMT with Ontario Ambulance. Please join me in welcoming Deputy Ruffell back to Williamson! Anticipated June Calendar Date Change As we approach end of winter, it is time to consider end of year calendar updates to reflect number of student days and usage of snow days. Tentatively, students, families and staff may anticipate that Thursday, June 26th will be a NO SCHOOL day for students in Grades PreK-8 . It is NOT anticipated that we will run any half days for students in Grades PreK-8 during the last week in June. Stay tuned... the district will post a final two weeks schedule upon return from April Break. 2025-26 Budget Informational Sessions We encourage all members of our community to stay engaged and informed throughout this important process. Your input and understanding are key to making the best decisions for the future of our students and our district. Please mark your calendars with these important budget dates: April 9: Budget Workshop Before Regular Meeting of the BOE (5:30) April 23: Budget Presentation to the BOE (6:30) May 7: Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidate Night (6:30 PM) May 20: Annual Meeting: Uniform Statewide Budget Vote and BOE Election We also invite you to view our 2025-26 Budget Video series: Video 1: " What is a Three-Part Budget ?" (Released March 14) In this video, we explain the structure of the school district's budget, breaking down what the instructional, capital, and administrative components are and how they must factor into budget planning. Video 2: " 2025-26 Budget: Revenues " (Released April 4) This video will provide a closer look at the actual revenue sources for the upcoming year. Video 3: "2025-26 Budget: Expenditures" (Anticipated for Release, April 14) The final video in the series will highlight the anticipated expenditures for the year, explaining how we plan to allocate resources across instructional, capital, and administrative needs. Annual Election - May 20, 2025: Two Board of Education (BOE) Seat Vacancies The Williamson Central School District will hold its Annual Election on May 20, 2025, for two Board of Education (BOE) seat vacancies. Petitions are now available at the District Office, located at 4184 Miller Street, Williamson, NY. Petition Details: Hours: Petitions and candidate information can be picked up Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. at the District Office. Deadline: Completed petitions must be submitted no later than Monday, April 21, 2025, by 5:00 P.M.. Board of Education Member Qualifications: To be eligible to run for the BOE, candidates must meet the following requirements: Be a U.S. citizen. Be at least 18 years old. Be able to read and write. Have residency in the Williamson Central School District for at least one year prior to the election. Cannot be an employee of the Williamson Central School District. Expiring Terms: Ashtyn Mohanlall: 3-year term, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028. Jamie Sonneville: 3-year term, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028. For more information on running for the Board of Education, please refer to the NYSSBA's Informational Guide: Running for the School Board . We encourage all eligible community members interested in contributing to our school district's future to consider running for a seat on the Board of Education. As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the district. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts about the information included in this communication, or otherwise. Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Friday, Apr 04 2025
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REMINDER: Marion & Williamson Boards of Education Jo...
Good Afternoon: REMINDER: Marion & Williamson Boards of Education Joint Meeting is TONIGHT Date: Tuesday, March 18 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Sodus CSD Intermediate Cafeteria Live stream: SCSD Live (YouTube) The Williamson Central School District and Marion Central School District are partnering to explore innovative opportunities for students while maintaining fiscal responsibility through the NYSED Reorganization Process. As part of this process, a joint Board of Education meeting is being held tonight as part of an early-phase process focused on exploring options and resources to support the future of our schools and communities. Tonight’s meeting will be live-streamed on the SCSD Live YouTube channel for those who cannot attend. A recording of the meeting will also be made available on our district YouTube channel and website. Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589 [Tuesday, Mar 18 at 5:39 PM] Note: If attending the meeting tonight, please plan on entering from Door #15 around the backside of the Sodus Intermediate School. Have a good evening! E. Bridget Ashton
Tuesday, Mar 18 2025
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3/14/2025: March 2025 District Newsletter
March 14, 2025 Dear WCS Students, Families, Staff and Community Members: As we step into March, we are excited to embrace the changing season and the promise of warmer weather ahead! The longer days and the arrival of spring bring a sense of renewal and energy to our school community. It's a time for fresh starts, outdoor activities, and an overall positive shift in the atmosphere. Should you have some time over the next few days, we hope that you will seize the opportunity to sift through our March 2025 District Newsletter to learn more about teaching, learning, support services, and upcoming events at the Williamson Central School District. Be certain to scroll through this month's issue to see contributions about the Anastasia production (presented this weekend at WCS!), Read Across America, Odyssey of the Mind, Take a Break, Food Service information, athletics updates and honors, building newsletters from all three buildings, and so much more! As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the district. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts about the information included in this communication, or otherwise. Warmest regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Friday, Mar 14 2025
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Williamson & Marion Boards of Education Joint Meetin...
March 13, 2025 The Williamson Central School District and Marion Central School District are partnering to explore innovative opportunities for students while maintaining fiscal responsibility through the NYSED Reorganization Process. These joint Board of Education meetings are part of an early-phase process focused on exploring options and resources to support the future of our schools and communities. For those attending Tuesday’s meeting, there will be a public comment section to voice any questions or share comments. To accommodate everyone who wishes to speak while also respecting the time of all community members, we ask that each comment opportunity take no longer than two minutes. Both meetings will also be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams for those who cannot attend. Additional information can be found on our district website, as follows: We welcome your questions ahead of Tuesday’s meeting! Please submit them at tejoin.com/scroll/410077761 or by calling (315) 589-9661. Due to the high number of responses we have already received, we have extended the submission deadline to Monday, March 17. MEETING INFORMATION Process Overview & BoE Vote Date: Tuesday, March 18 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Sodus CSD Intermediate Cafeteria Consultant Proposal (Pending BoE Vote Outcome) Date: Wednesday, March 26 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Sodus CSD Intermediate Cafeteria WCS Commitment At WCS, we are deeply committed to providing every student with the opportunities and support they need to succeed, both academically and personally. We recognize that it is through the collective efforts of families, community, and school that we are able to provide our students with a rich and supportive educational experience. We value your involvement and are grateful for the ongoing partnership that helps make our schools a place where excellence is the standard. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for being a vital member of the Williamson Central School District learning community. Regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Thursday, Mar 13 2025
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Update: 3/18 Shared Meeting of the BOE with Marion
March 10, 2025 Good Morning, I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend and that you were able to enjoy the beautiful blue skies, sunshine, and warmer temperatures! By this time, most of you likely received a postcard at your residence about the upcoming shared meeting of the WCS Board of Education with the Marion CSD Board of Education on March 18. I am writing in response to some inquiries made about this upcoming meeting. Abridged Message The WCS Board of Education will meet with the Marion CSD Board of Education on March 18, 2025, to discuss a potential merger study. Facilitated by Lynne Rutnik, WFL BOCES District Superintendent, the meeting will include a presentation on the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization, public comments, and a potential vote. The meeting will be livestreamed, with more details to follow on livestream access. The meeting will be held at Sodus Central School District at 6:00 PM, and all community members are encouraged to attend. Detailed Message Shared BOE Meeting with Marion Central School District As I shared in the February 2025 District Newsletter, the WCS Board of Education voted during a Regular Meeting of the Board on December 6, 2024 to engage in a shared meeting with the Marion CSD Board of Education for the purpose of exploring a potential merger study with their district. As such, a shared meeting of the WCS Board of Education with the Marion Central School District Board of Education has been scheduled for March 18 to discuss and explore a potential merger study. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the Boards of Education from both districts to come together, engage in thoughtful dialogue, and consider the future of both educational communities. You might be wondering... Who Facilitates the Shared Meeting of Boards on 3/18? WFL BOCES District Superintendent, Lynne Rutnik, will be a guest during the Board Meeting on 3/18. She will facilitate discussion around the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization and serve as liaison for both districts with the New York State Education Department. Will there be Public Expression at the 3/18 Shared BOE Meeting with Marion? The tentative agenda for the Shared BOE Meeting with Marion will include Public Expression. The anticipated agenda is as follows: Meeting Called to Order Lynne Rutnik: NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization Presentation Open Discussion (BOE Members) Public Comment: 30 minutes BOE Vote ( as applicable): NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization Adjournment Will the 3/18 Shared BOE Meeting Be Live Streamed? It is important to both WCS and Marion CSD that the Shared Meeting of BOE on 3/18 be livestreamed for access by members of both communities. We are still working with WFL BOCES to identify the best creative solution for technology to do so at the offsite location for this meeting in Sodus. More to follow as information becomes available. Where Can I Find More Information? WCS and Marion are collaborating with the Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES Public Relations team to develop webpages specific to the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization on each of our district websites. We anticipate the NYSED Feasibility Study for Reorganization webpages going "live" on our websites later this week. In the meantime, additional SED resources for consideration: School District Reorganization, A Primer NYSED: Reorganization What is a Reorganization/Merger Study? A reorganization/merger study for school districts is a formal process in which two or more school districts explore the potential benefits, challenges, and impacts of consolidating. The study typically involves gathering and analyzing data related to a variety of factors, including: Financial Considerations : Evaluating how combining districts would impact budgets, funding, staffing, and operational efficiency. This includes examining possible cost savings, increased funding opportunities, or any financial challenges that might arise from the merger. Educational Quality : Assessing whether a merger could enhance or impact the quality of education provided to students. This includes analyzing resources, curriculum offerings, class sizes, extracurricular opportunities, and student support services. Community Impact : Considering how the merger would affect the local communities, including changes to school culture, transportation, accessibility, and community involvement in the schools. Facilities, Logistics and Infrastructure : Reviewing the physical and administrative logistics of consolidating the schools, including facilities, staff distribution, and technology systems. Legal and Governance Issues : Identifying any legal or governance hurdles, such as changes to school board structures, district boundaries, and compliance with state regulations. The goal of a merger study is to gather enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with a model of consolidation. Who Decides on a Merger? Merging school districts is a significant decision that can have wide-reaching effects on students, families, staff, and the surrounding community. As such, New York State requires community engagement, input and vote before a district(s) may move forward with a merger. Community involvement includes: Public Hearings/Meetings : Public meetings or hearings where community members can provide feedback on the merger study and its potential outcomes are a facet of the merger study process. These meetings allow parents, teachers, students, and other stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns. Public Vote : A merger proposal requires approval through a public referendum or vote. This means the community ultimately decides whether the merger takes place. Legal and Regulatory Requirements : States have specific legal processes that include public notice, discussions, and input before a merger can be finalized. This ensures transparency and allows community members to be part of the decision-making process. While the BOE plays a key role in initiating and facilitating the merger process, this is a community decision . Save the Date The shared meeting of the Boards of Education for the WCS and Marion school districts is scheduled for 6:00 on March 18 at the Sodus Central School District. All members of our school community are invited to attend and to be actively informed as we work collaboratively with Marion CSD on this potential pathway for our districts. WCS Commitment At WCS, we are deeply committed to providing every student with the opportunities and support they need to succeed, both academically and personally. We recognize that it is through the collective efforts of families, community, and school that we are able to provide our students with a rich and supportive educational experience. We value your involvement and are grateful for the ongoing partnership that helps make our schools a place where excellence is the standard. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for being a vital member of the Williamson Central School District learning community. Regards, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Monday, Mar 10 2025
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3/5 Retirement Announcement: ES Principal, Ellen Saxby
March 5, 2025 Dear Williamson Community, It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Ellen Saxby, effective June 30. After 37 years of dedicated service in education, including 21 years in PreK-12 administration, Ellen will be stepping away from her leadership role at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Her resignation - for the purpose of retirement - was accepted by the Board of Education during a Regular Meeting of the Board last night (3/4). Over the course of her career, Ellen has been a transformative leader, educator, and mentor, leaving an indelible impact on students, staff, and the broader educational community. She has served public education in a variety of roles, including teacher, technology director, assistant principal, and building leader. A passionate advocate for both students and staff, Ellen’s ability to build and sustain a positive school culture focused on high expectations, collaboration, and success is unmatched. Ellen’s service to the Williamson Central School District is truly a legacy of passion, leadership, and selflessness. As a facet of administrative restructuring, I would like you to know that Ellen’s replacement will be selected from within our existing administrative team. This means that there will be no formal posting or hiring process for this vacancy. While the district is not positioned to identify the replacement for Ellen at this time, I fully anticipate that we will have more information to share in the coming weeks regarding the replacement for this position. Thank you in advance for your patience during this period of time. Please join me in celebrating and congratulating Ellen Saxby (esaxby@williamsoncentral.org) on her extraordinary career and contributions to our school district! We wish her the very best as she enters the next chapter of her life and will relish the remaining days and months with her. Sincerely, E. Bridget Ashton Elizabeth Bridget Ashton Superintendent, Williamson Central School District 4184 Miller Street Williamson, NY 14589
Wednesday, Mar 05 2025