2019
GICSD Calendar for 2019-2020
Previous News Page
School Board Meeting - December 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, December 9th. 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - November 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, November 25th. At 6:30 p.m., Board of Education Retreat - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - November 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Tuesday, November 12th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.Automatic Gate System OK'd For Ransom Bus Loop - November 2019
The Grand Island Board of Education voted 7-0 on Monday, October 25th to advertise for bids for an automatic gate system for the bus loop at the middle school / high school complex. LED solar powered "Do Not Enter" signs have not fixed the problem of drivers picking up and dropping off passengers in the buses only loop. It is estimated that the programable automatic gate system could cost $60,000. Leftover dollars from the capital project was mentioned as a source for the price tag. Handicapped/disabled drop offs are directed to go to the back parking lot entrance.School Board Meeting - October 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, October 28th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.Schools Building Tours & Bus Ride Schedule - October 2019
On Wednesday October 16, 2019, a school building tour and bus ride will be available to the public. Meet at GI Senior High School at 5:30 p.m. Tour will begin at the High School and then Veronica E. Connor Middle School. Next the tour will go to William Kaegebein, ECO Island, Charlotte Sidway and Huth Road. The public and community are invited to attend the tours as well as the bus ride.School Board Meeting - October 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Tuesday, October 15th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board/Town Board Meeting - September 2019
A Joint School Board/Town Board meeting will be held at Grand Island Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Road, on Monday, September 30th. At 6:45 p.m., Special BOE Meeting at Town Hall. A Regular Public session will begin at 7:00 p.m. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - September 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, September 9th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - August 2019
The Board of Education of Grand Island Central School District, 1100 Ransom Road, Town of Grand Island, Erie County, New York 14072, invites the submission of proposals for: GRANT WRITING AND GRANT ADMINISTRATION SERVICES.Submissions of letters of interest and resume of qualifications may be sent to the above address, attention: Dr. Rubie Harris, Assistant Superintendent for School Business and Finance: no later than Friday, September 20, 2019 at 11:00am.
Proposal information may be obtained on the District’s website, grandislandschools.org or at the District’s Business Office at the above address between the hours of 9:00 AM thru 3:00 PM, Monday thru Friday.
Dr. Rubie R. Harris - Assistant Superintendent of School Business & Finance
School Board Meeting - August 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, August 26th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.Special School Board Meeting - August 2019
A special School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, tonight, Wednesday, August 7th at 8:00 p.m.School Board Meeting - July 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, July 29th. Board of Education Retreat; 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m in the District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. An Anticipated Executive Session is at the end of the Regular Public Meeting in the District Office Conference Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.Video.
School Board Meeting - July 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, July 8th. At 6:30 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Reorganizational Meeting is at 7:00 p.m. and a Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m., both in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - June 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, June 24th. At 7:00 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - June 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, June 10th. At 6:00 p.m. a Tenure / Retiree Reception will be held in the Veronica E. Connor Middle School Little Theater. At 7:00 p.m., Anticipated Executive Session - District Office Conference Room. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.District Wide Art Show - May 2019
Middle school student Annabella Tippett with narrative self-portrait.
Once again, works by hundreds of student artists will fill Grand Island High School’s Viking mall as the Art Department of the Grand Island Schools presents their annual district-wide art show. Students in grades K-12 have eagerly been preparing works in anticipation of the yearly event. Designed to showcase student achievement and spotlight both cognitive and creative components inherent in creation, the show will open with a reception for artists and their families on the evening of May 20 from 6:30-8:00pm. Works in a wide variety of media will be on display. The public is cordially invited to view the students’ work and to share in their teachers’ and families’ collective pride as they view the unique artistic points of view, creative solutions, visual problem-solving and individual artistic voices proudly on display. The work will remain on display for the remainder of the week.School Board Meeting - May 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, May 20th. A Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.Grand Island School Board Candidates & Election Information - May 2019
The Grand Island School District Budget Vote and BOE Election will take place at the Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM.Incumbents
Lisa Pyc
Lisa Pyc - My name is Lisa Pyc. I have been a Grand Island resident for over eighteen years. My husband is life long resident of Grand Island and my three children will all be attending Veronica Connor Middle School. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Masters of Science in Counselor Education from Canisius College. I am also a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have over eleven years experience in my degree field; and at this time, I have chosen to focus primarily on my children by being a stay at home mother.I have served on the Grand Island School Board for the last 6 years, 2 of which I was the Board President. I am seeking re-election because there are many issues that I am passionate about I have a proven record of advocating for the best interest of all children and the community. Among the issues plaguing schools across New York State, include fiscal responsibility, safety, and the new regulation around mental health curriculum. As a current board member it has been a critical value to maintain and grow our quality program through fiscal responsibility.
I will continue to promote school, teacher, and parent communication to allow for student success and safety. My educational training allows me to bring balance to our school board. Over, the last 6 years I have served on the board, I have built a reputation for approachability, this has proven to be an asset that allows an opportunity for all voices to be represented at the board table.
Donna Tomkins
Donna Tomkins - My name is Donna Tomkins and I currently live with my husband Jt( GI class of 1974), on Bishops Gate Road directly behind the High School. We have two sons Nicholas and Benjamin who attended Sidway Kaegebein and Veronica Connor Middle school. They both graduated from our high school, Nick in 2008 and Ben in 2011. We were fortunate to host many exchange students, including Eduardo Toledo, who arrived from Brazil in 2007 graduating from our high school in 2008 and is still an important part of her family.I have lived on Grand Island since 1982 and I'm proud to have served in this community on multiple capacities where ever possible, including the nine years I have served on the Grand Island school board. My husband and I took on Little League teams, soccer teams, basketball teams and Cub Scout dens. I have served as a treasurer of the Cooperative Nursery School and was an officer in the Sidway and Kaegebein PTAs. I have also served on the Grand Island Parks and Recreational Advisory Board, Niagara PAL board, West River Homeowners Association board, Relay for Life and numerous other community and political committees. For over 30 years I have worked full-time at Sevenson Environmental Services as their Corporate Travel Coordinator.
I'm very excited to be seeking my fourth term as a trustee of the Board of Education. I promise to be fiscally responsible and to keep asking those tough questions. I will continue to hold our administrators accountable while promoting what is right for all children, and the Grand Island community.
New Candidates
Dr. Colleen Wilkinson
Dr. Colleen Wilkinson - My name is Dr. Colleen Wilkinson. I was a Special Education Teacher in Buffalo for 11 years before earning my PhD in Special Education and joining the faculty in the Education Department at Medaille College. My two children attend Grand Island Schools and my family is involved in the Grand Island Little League as well as Grand Island Soccer. We are parishioners at St. Stephens Church. I am a registered Republican and my hope is to bring my expertise to the Board in order to ensure the best educational opportunities for all our children starting with our youngest students in Pre-K through high school.
Nicole Novak
Nicole Novak - Nicole Novak is the wife of Robert (Mike) and mother of two active daughters, who both participate in orchestra, dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, and Mathletes. Nicole is active in our community as a Girl Scout troop leader, PTA member, and as a coach of the Grand Island JV Vikings. Nicole has worked effectively in the Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education division for the last 15 years. She is a graduate of UB and Medaille College. Nicole plans on using her experience to make well informed decisions to assist the school board in making the best choices for all parties involved.
James Grover
James Grover - My name is Jay Grover. My wife and I have three daughters, who, in addition to their academics, are active in sports, music, and service to their community. I graduated, with honors, from State University College at Buffalo and hold both B.S. and M.S. in Education. I have 21 years of experience as a teacher in the West Seneca Central School District. I am running for the School Board based on my passion and drive to positively impact the Grand Island School District community. I will make good, solid decisions and policies to ensure a quality education for our students.School Board Meeting - May 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, May 13th. An executive session is at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room. A School Budget Hearing is at 7:00 p.m., and a Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - April 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Tuesday, April 16th. An executive session is at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room and a Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.School Board Meeting - April 2019
A School Board meeting will be held at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road, on Monday, April 8th. An executive session is at 6:30 p.m. and a Regular Public Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. A finalized agenda can be found at www.grandislandschools.org.8th Consecutive Year, GICSD Music Department Named Best Community for Music Education - March 2019
For the eighth consecutive year, the Grand Island Central School District Music Department has been selected by the National Association of Making Music Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States for 2019.The Grand Island Music Department has long held a tradition of excellence in music education through the support of our administration, our Board of Education, and most importantly our community members. The excellence of the department is evidenced by the large number of students participating in the various musical ensembles at all grade levels, and the large number of students selected to participate in ECMEA All-County, NYSSMA Area All-State, NYSSMA Conference All-State, NAfME National Conferences, Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra (GBYO), and other honors ensembles.
The Music Department actively participates in the Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA), the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the Buffalo Philharmonic Educational Concert Series.
