April 7, 2022
By Jasmine Willis
HORNELL — The Hornell City School District held its regular board meeting on Wednesday night, to talk about finalizing the budget and finishing up construction.
Hornell Superintendent Jeremy Palotti gave a presentation on the budget for the upcoming school year. The school budget was adopted in the amount of $40, 039, 187, the Hornell voters will vote on that, on Tuesday, May 17. “I believe what we are showing will be unchanged by the final budget. We are confident that everything we show you tonight will be the final budget,” Palotti said.
Reading Programs have increased by 10 percent since last year. The school wants to continue to improve by next year. The first graders are reading to the preschoolers three times a week.
There have been multiple programs that have enhanced student learning. The community has gotten involved through the Hornell Police Department demonstrations and Hornell Humane Society. The school board mentioned a three-million-dollar grant that will be used over the next five years for student’s education.
“We are evolving and working to be more progressive with the students,” Palotti said. “We are proud of the work the teachers and administrators are doing. This budget supports the school moving forward and helps provide the students with a great education.”
There has been an upgrade to the clocks in the hallways, new Chromebooks are on the way for some students, and a decision to make all devices touchscreen.
The school board said there will be a celebration coming up to honor 100 years of students in Hornell City Schools.
If you look around the buildings, you will notice a lot of changes have been made recently. The school board talked about construction to the buildings wrapping up soon. There have been façade changes to old buildings repairing leaks and cracks. The high school elevator needs a huge upgrade. The high school main offices will be enhanced for safety. Coming up the bathrooms will all be finished. The doors and floors need to be finished. There will be landscaping, and paving done as well. The renovations will be in effect for the stage to enhance sports. The score board still needs to be rewired. There will be new lights and poles put in the parking lots. Some drinking fountains need to be installed. A fire alarm system needs to be updated. A playground for the smaller children will be installed. All of this is scheduled to be done by June.
The next regular school board meeting will be May 3 at 6 p.m. after the public hearing for the budget. The school board/school budget votes will be on May 17 from Noon to 9 p.m. in the lobby. There is one trustee opening on the Hornell Board of Ed.
For an indepth look at the school budget you can visit https://www.hornellcityschools.com/Page/1218
