OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Shannon Matson, Director of Positive Interventions and Family Connectedness, was one of several administrators to present at a recent Silver Creek Board of Education meeting.

SILVER CREEK — A common theme from many of the administrators to present at a recent Silver Creek Board of Education was the decline in severe disciplinary actions needed by the District this year compared to prior years.

The Board received presentations from administrators throughout the District regarding behavioral trends this year compared to last year, where out of school suspensions have decreased across all three buildings. Elementary Assistant Principal Sydney Neubauer stated that out of school suspension was the “absolute last resort” in the District’s disciplinary process. Instead, increased parent involvement has led to a “significant decrease” in out of school suspensions from a year ago.

The District has implemented behavioral charting in its classrooms for minor behaviors, which provides for student reflection multiple times before an office referral is issued. On the third minor offense, a parent/guardian is contacted, and only after seeing the behavior continue after that step is an office referral issued. The progression plan does not apply to more serious offenses, which teachers have been trained to identify.

“We’re building that community in the classroom, building the relationships with the teachers,” Neubauer said.

Shannon Matson, Director of Positive Interventions and Family Connectedness, also presented about different ways the District is supporting students beginning at a young age.

Among the many investments of the District this year pertaining to student wellbeing is the implementation of a text-based mental health counseling service through Counslr, Inc. for additional support. The District has also contracted for 24 days of professional development and workshops with Sweethearts and Heroes, a student empowerment and empathy leadership team that aims to prevent bullying and suicide with a focus on the basic components of social-emotional learning.

In other district news, an omission to the specification of a stipend of $5,000 for Jill Valvo to serve as School Tax Collector for the 2024-2025 school year was amended. The probationary appointment of Teaching Assistant Deanna Robbins was also amended to commence on Dec. 2 at a salary of $25,900 as dictated by the collective bargaining agreement with the Silver Creek Teachers’ Association.

Additionally, Bailey Zbytek was appointed as a long-term substitute teacher in the Elementary School, retroactive to Oct. 15 through the end of the 2024-25 school year or until the full-time teacher returns. Chris Kwaizer was also appointed as a substitute Cleaner, and the 2024-25 coaching appointments were updated, as well.

Also of note, just as it did in November, the Board of Education held readings for more than 20 district policies at its recent meeting.

The Board of Education also authorized two school field trips. The Travel and Tourism Class was authorized for a field trip to Miami, Florida from March 10-13, 2025. The Human Rights and Genocide Class was authorized to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historical landmarks in Washington, D.C., March 9-11, 2025.

Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston was also authorized by the Board of Education to attend the 2025 New York State Council of School Superintendents Winter Institute conference in Albany, March 1-4, 2025.

The next Silver Creek Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9.