Waterloo Central School District

All Students. All Staff. One Family

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  • Universal Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is now open for the 23-24 school year

  • WATERLOO CENTRAL SCHOOL

    PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET HEARING

    7:00 PM- Tuesday, June 6, 2023

    Waterloo Middle School LGI Room

    65 Center Street Waterloo, NY 13165

     

    Waterloo Central School District residents are invited to attend a presentation on the revised 2023-2024 school budget.

  • Dear Waterloo Families,

    Last night, the Waterloo Board of Education held a special meeting to discuss the 2023-2024 school budget. As you may be aware, Waterloo voters rejected the 1.75% proposed Waterloo Central School District School Tax Levy on May 16th.

    The Board of Education voted last night to submit an updated 2023-2024 School Tax Levy with a 1.5% increase rather than the initial request of 1.75%.

    The Budget Hearing for this vote will occur on June 6, 2023, in the Waterloo High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. All Waterloo residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the proposed $49,992,679 budget.

    As a matter of record, I would like to share several pieces of information.

    1. The Waterloo Central School District Budget has increased $8,633,186 since the 2020-2021 school year. This was inaccurately reported in our community as being ten million dollars.
    2. This does not mean that Waterloo residents have been paying $8,633,186 more in taxes since 2020-2021. It means our school budget has increased. The reason for the budget increase is we have received an additional $7,738,504 in building aid and basic foundation aid from NY State. We have also had an increase of PILOTS (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) from local businesses of $879,962.
    3. In my seven years as Superintendent in the Waterloo Central School District, the voters have agreed to overall tax increases of 5.6%. Five of those years the increase was one percent or below and two of those five years there was no tax increase. Our tax cap over the past seven years has equaled 18.97%, which means by law, we could have asked the public for 13.37% more in taxes than we have collected. We could have asked our taxpayers for 1.48 million more dollars in taxes. We are sensitive to the needs of our taxpayers, many of whom are on fixed incomes. This is the reason we have continued to budget carefully and not ask for taxpayers hard earned dollars, when we don’t need to do so.
    4. Our current foundation aid has increased 5.5 million dollars which has restored our foundation aid to previous levels. This aid was cut years ago, before my arrival in Waterloo. There have been large foundation aid increases for Waterloo over the past three years. Those increases are coming to an end. Next year, IF we get the projected 4% basic foundation aid increase, that is approximately a 38.8% reduction in basic foundation aid each year we have received previously, moving forward.
    5. Governor Hochul approved the New York State budget the day AFTER our Board of Education and every other board of education in New York State voted on their 2023-2024 school budgets. Governor Hochul’s budget action resulted in a $217,308 decrease to our state aid. $120,813 was taken from our basic foundation aid and $96,495 was taken from our BOCES aid and returned to the state. We have no control over this.
    6. Our initial school budget proposal was 1.75%. This is a $220,299 increase in taxes for all of Waterloo Central School District’s residents. This encompasses the five communities of Fayette, Junius, Seneca Falls, Tyre, and Waterloo. This was the exact same tax rate increase as last year, which was an average of $.11 (eleven cents) per thousand or $7.70 per taxpayer increase over the previous year’s taxes on a $100,000 home with the STAR deduction.
    7. A final note, our per pupil expenditures were also inaccurately stated in the community as being $33,000 per student. That is incorrect. According to our New York State Education Department report card, our per pupil expenditures are $24,175. The New York State average per pupil expenditures are $25,870. As you can see, our per pupil expenditures lag behind other districts in the state, on average, by $1,695.00 per student.

    Our 2023-2024 school budget failed by eight votes. Every vote counts. Please be sure to attend our Budget Hearing on June 6, 2023 if you have additional questions or would like to clear up any misunderstanding that may be in our community about our actual budget numbers. Joanne Slauson, our Business Administrator is happy to meet with or speak to any resident who has questions or concerns about our budget. Mrs. Slauson’s phone number is 315-539-5590.

    We look forward to seeing every Waterloo Central School District resident, parent, and family member 18 or older at the Budget Vote on June 20, 2023.

    Sincerely,

    Terri Bavis
    Superintendent
    Waterloo Central School District

     

  • 2023 School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election Results

    PROPOSITION #1:  WATERLOO SCHOOL BUDGET
             YES: 296             NO: 304                                                             
    Should the Board of Education of the Waterloo Central School District be authorized to expend a total of  $ 50,164,414 for the operation of the schools in said school district for the 2023-2024 school year and that said sum be raised by tax upon the taxable property of said school district after first deducting the estimated money available from state aid and other sources?
    PROPOSITION #2:  WATERLOO SCHOOL BUSES
              YES: 429             NO: 171                             
    Should the Board of Education of the Waterloo Central School District be authorized to purchase two (2) 70-74 passenger buses and one (1) 48-passenger wheelchair bus from the Bus and Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund, with no additional tax levy cost, at an estimated aggregate maximum cost of $584,500?
    PROPOSITION #3:  WATERLOO     PUBLIC LIBRARY & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
              YES:  338         NO: 262                                             
    Should the Board of Education of the Waterloo Central School District commencing with the 2023- 2024 school year, increase monies collected for the public library purposes to be paid to the Waterloo Public Library & Historical Society from $276,839.04 to $296,731.87 with such sum to be raised by a levy to be collected annually?
     
    The three successful Board of Education candidates were:  
    Chris Felice with 297 votes
    Patrick Tellier with 290 votes
    Jolynn Worden with 243 votes

    Please find the 2023-2024 Revised Code of Conduct below. This will be available for public viewing for 30 days beginning May 8th, 2023 prior to the Board of Education Voting on the updated plan.

    Revised Code of Conduct 23-24

    Please find the 2023-2024 Revised Parent Involvement Policy below. This will be available for public viewing for 30 days beginning May 8th, 2023 prior to the Board of Education Voting on the updated plan.  

    Revised Parent Involvement Policy 23-24

     

Headlines

  • Waterloo Senior Earns State Title With Section V Golf Team

    LJ

    Waterloo High School senior John “LJ” Siblosky is a state champion.

    Siblosky won a New York State Public High School Athletic Association title as a member of the Section V boys golf team Monday in Elmira.

    Section V defeated Section 11 by 41 strokes, 1,060-1,101, over the two-day tournament to claim the team title at the Mark Twain Golf Course.

    Siblosky, who won the Finger Lakes Golf Championship in the fall, was a member of the Section V team each of the past two years. He wrapped up his six-year varsity golf career with rounds of 85 and 82 at states to finish 61st overall.

    Congratulations to LJ on an outstanding high school golf career.
    Comments (-1)

  • Waterloo High School Announces Valedictorian, Salutatorian For Class of 2023

    Val and Sal

    Waterloo High School is proud to announce its valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2023.

    The valedictorian is Connor McCann, the son of Sue Johnson and Mike McCann. The salutatorian is Logan Amidon, the daughter of Amber and Richard Amidon.

    Connor maintained a 4.0 grade-point average throughout high school and will be attending SUNY Cortland to study physical education.

    He has been a member of the High Honor Roll for four years, achieved the highest average in English 11 and Mastery in Science and was named a Student of the Quarter in ninth grade.

    A member of National Honor Society, Connor served as an intern for the director of athletics during his senior year and participated in a middle school physical education internship as a junior.

    A member of the Varsity Club, he has been an active member of the baseball, basketball, soccer and golf teams. He received the Ted French Coaches Award in baseball as a junior and served as a team captain of both the varsity basketball and soccer teams.

    Connor participated in float building for homecoming throughout high school. He was also selected to the prom court as a junior.

    Logan has served as class president throughout high school and will attend St. John Fisher University to study business and finance.

    Logan has played soccer, basketball and softball since seventh grade and was also a member of the varsity bowling team for three seasons.

    She has been a member of student council since ninth grade and served as treasurer the past three years. She has also been a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Interact Club and Varsity Club.

    Logan has participated in Girl Scouts and received the DAR Good Citizen Award, RIT Computing Medal and Clarkson University Leadership Award.

    Logan received a Scholastic Arts Award for her photography and the Elizabeth Pontius Memorial Outstanding Freshman Award. She has serves as a student representative on the Board of Education and has helped to organize blood drives at school and volunteered at a local food pantry.

    Logan has also been active in her church and volunteered at the annual Rotary Easter Egg hunt.

    The Class of 2023 graduation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24.

    Congratulations to Connor and Logan.
    Comments (-1)

  • Tiger Tribune: Budget Edition

    Budget Newsletter

    The annual School Budget Vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16. CLICK HERE  to read our Budget Newsletter.
    Comments (-1)

  • Waterloo High School announces Students of the Quarter 

    Students of Quarter 3

    Waterloo High School is proud to announce its Students of the Quarter for the third quarter of the 2022-23 School Year.

    Students of the Quarter are selected from forms submitted by the faculty and verified by a committee. The criteria are citizenship, effort, improvement, and/or outstanding recognition.

    The Waterloo Rotary Club is acknowledging the Students of the Quarter with a gift card to a local business The students selected also receive a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card from the Student of the Quarter committee. Funding for the gift card is provided by a different group each quarter, including the WEA, WNIEA, Student Council and the High School Sunshine Fund.

    Those recognized for quarter three are:

    Ninth grade: Alexis Westmoreland and Cody Grinnell

    Tenth grade: Natalie Jones and Alexander Rogers

    Eleventh grade: Yechelez Morales and James LaRock

    Twelfth grade: Sunshine Tackett and Ayden Bourne

    Congratulations to all!
    Comments (-1)

  • High School Monitor Mike O’Brien Honored As Unsung Hero 

    Mike O

    Waterloo High School Monitor Mike O’Brien was recognized as an Unsung Hero at the District’s May 2 Board of Education meeting.

    An Unsung Hero is a Waterloo Central School District staff member who “goes above and beyond when serving students, faculty and staff on our campus, demonstrates a positive attitude toward others, and shows outstanding work performance.”

    Mr. O’Brien was nominated by high school secretaries Jen Gray and Cindy Spencer.

    Their nomination read: “Since the day Mike started in his position as monitor, he has been nothing but an asset to our team. He is an excellent communicator, is very intuitive and is well liked and respected by both students and staff. Mike also displays great initiative. He spends his day looking to help others; helping custodial staff with minor clean-up, assisting office staff with special requests , helps parents carry Trevor’s Gift out to vehicles and even delivers repaired student devices for his wife. Mike is always calm, always ready with a joke to lighten our day, always discrete when it comes to delicate situations and is ALWAYS in the right place at the right time. His dedication to student and staff safety is so appreciated and we are grateful he chose to spend his days at Waterloo High School.”
    Comments (-1)

  • LaFayette Inducts First Cohort Into New National Elementary Honor Society Chapter

    NEHS Chapter

    LaFayette Intermediate School welcomed 38 members as its first cohort to its new National Elementary Honor Society chapter on April 12.

    Fourth grade teacher Kristen O’Connell had the vision for an NEHS chapter in 2019 because she wanted to empower students who consistently do their best and stand out as leaders in the school community. She believes that NEHS provides a unique opportunity for students to grow as leaders.

    CLICK HERE to see more photos from the NEHS Induction Ceremony

    “They inspire me to always do my best and they humble me, reminding me that even our youngest citizens are capable of leading waves of positivity in our schools, community and the world at large,” O’Connell said of the students.

    O’Connell and Emily Rookey now serve as Co-Advisers for NEHS.

    Fourth- and fifth-grade students were nominated by their classroom teachers for embodying LaFayette’s Pride Traits of being respectful, responsible, engaged and safe. Those traits align with the four pillars of the National Elementary Honor Society: scholarship, responsibility, service and leadership. Students also submitted an essay that was reviewed by the faculty council prior to selection.

    LaFayette Principal Shaun Merrill welcomed students, families and friends to the ceremony and O’Connell and Rookey led the ceremony. Faculty council members Theresa Patchen (scholarship), Catherine Rieck (responsibility), Nikki Dechick (service) and Emily Jensen (leadership) lit candles and read descriptions of the four pillars.

    The inductees included: Vincent Aquina, Griffin Arndt, Sophie Austin, Kelsey Bailey, Emma Cheney, Ruby Cleere, Evan Crelley, Savanna Cuffe, Ryan DiSanto, Iris Enslow, Myaa Felice, Grayden Guy, Aaron Hoff, Novalee Jaycox, Olivia Laird, Braelyn Lanphear, Ryan Laquitara, Jedwin Lebron, Bowen Leone, Aria Lewis, Liam Lewis, Chelsea Li, Kelsey Marquart, Milania McNeil, Griffin Messecar, Evan Morrin, Bryce O’Connell, Gavin Randall, Easton Rease, Brielle Robinson, Leah Sessler, Zachary Sessler, Rory Sheils, Averie Smith, Cashius Smith, Zyander Thorpe, Emma Sue Vidler, Ryder Walters.

    Congratulations to all!

     
    Comments (-1)

  • WATERLOO HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES TOP 10 STUDENTS IN CLASS OF 2023

    Top 10

    The Waterloo Central School District is proud to announce its Top 10 students in the Class of 2023.

    The Class of 2023 is led by valedictorian Connor McCann and salutatorian Logan Amidon. The Top 10 is selected based on academic average through the first 15 quarters of high school.

    Other members of the Top 10, in alphabetical order, are:

    • Amelia Burm
    • Morgan Caraballo
    • Natalie DiSanto
    • Jazzmyn Lewis
    • Aryanna Mateo
    • Nicole McGloon
    • John Siblosky
    • Kaleb Swartley

    Congratulations to all!
    Comments (-1)

  • Girls Basketball Wins Federation Championship 

    Federation Champs

    The Waterloo varsity girls basketball team completed its magical season by winning the New York State Class B Federation championship on Sunday.

    The Tigers defeated Preston High School of the Bronx 68-35 at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park to become the first team in school history to win a Federation title. The victory capped an incredible run that saw Waterloo win a third straight Section V title, the Far West Regional Class B crown and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B championship.

    CLICK HERE to see more photos from the game

    “It’s hard to put into words,” said head coach Mike Bree. “The support this team has received has been unbelievable. Terri Bavis, our superintendent, and Christal Kent, our athletic director, do everything that they can to make this a first-class experience. The parents of the players, the assistant coaches who do so much behind the scenes, and everyone in the community who has shown their support for is a part of this.”

    Waterloo finished the season with a 28-1 record and was the only public school team in the state to win the Federation Tournament.

    Members of the team include Morgan Caraballo, Gwyn Panek, Natalie DiSanto, Jazzmyn Lewis, Addison Bree, Kamryn Bennett, Katelyn VanNostrand, Emma Ansuini, Tangel Williams, Juliana Pehrson, Maci Mueller, Logan Amidon, Davonti'a Loucks, Khia Moody, McKenzie Scutt and Hannah Harris. Assistant coaches are Keisha Bree, Jose Caraballo, Ethan Pettengill and Jim Panek

    Congratulations, Tigers!

     

     
    Comments (-1)

  • Two Waterloo Musicians Selected For Macy's Great American Marching Band

    Macy

    Two Waterloo High School students have plans to spend Thanksgiving in New York City. 

    Marina Lyon and Jae Wu have both been selected to participate in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as members of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. 

    Marina, who was accepted on alto saxophone, and Jae, on piccolo, had a similar reaction upon receiving their acceptance emails. 

    “I cried,” said Marina, a sophomore who was sledding when her phone buzzed with the news. 

    “I cried and I was shaking,” said Jae, a junior who has been planning to audition for more than a year. 

    The Macy’s Great American Marching Band was started in 2006 and includes 185 high school musicians and about 40 flags and dancers from across the United States.  

    Auditions for the band opened on Jan. 15 and Marina and Jae, being new applicants, were required to submit a video that showed them performing a Grade III-V solo of at least three minutes as well a video demonstrating marching fundamentals. 

    Marina estimates that she spent 150 hours preparing for her audition. Waterloo High School Band Director Ryan McKenna helped both students prepare by videotaping outdoor marching auditions. Additionally impressive is that both students are performing secondary instruments as Marina’s main instrument is clarinet and Jae’s is flute.

    “I am extremely proud,” McKenna said. “Having the opportunity to work with students like Marina and Jae is why I am here every day.”   

    Band members will leave their hotel at 3:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning for an early morning run through for the NBC cameras. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and attracts about 3 million spectators and a worldwide television audience of 50 million each year. 

    Band members return to their hotel after the parade for Thanksgiving dinner and a dance. 

    Jae and Marina each marched in the 2019 Veterans Day Parade in New York City and are looking forward to returning to the Big Apple for a week that includes music, sightseeing and fun. 

    “I am really excited,” Marina said. 

    “We have been planning it out together,” Jae said. 

    Both benefitted from advice from Waterloo graduate Kim Fish, who participated in the 2019 parade. 

    “I am elated,” said Waterloo Music Department Chair Vivian Becker. “This is a great opportunity and I am super excited for them.”  
    Comments (-1)

  • DISTRICT VOTERS APPROVE $17.9 MILLION CAPITAL PROJECT 

    Residents of the Waterloo Central School District approved a $17.9 million capital improvement project on Tuesday, Feb. 7.  

    The vote was 88 in favor and 41 opposed. 

    “Thank you to the Waterloo community for their continued support of our complete instructional program, including our facilities,” Superintendent of Schools Terri Bavis said. “This project will continue to provide our students and staff with a safe environment which is conducive to learning. I am appreciative of the community’s long-term support of the improvement of our facilities.”

    The project focuses on safety and maintenance and includes work at the Bus Garage, Skoi-Yase Primary School, LaFayette Intermediate School, Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School. 
    Comments (-1)

  • Tiger Tribune (February 2023 Edition)

    Tiger Tribune Cover

    CLICK HERE to read the February 2023 edition of the Tiger Tribune.
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  • PUBLIC NOTICE

     

    Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for the 2022-2023 school year of the school buildings of the Waterloo Central School District for fire hazards that might endanger the lives of students, teachers, and employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the office of the Waterloo Central School District at 109 Washington Street Waterloo, NY 13165, for inspection by all interested persons.

  • January 4th, 2020

    The federal and state moratoriums on evictions are currently scheduled to be lifted in January 2021. Due to this, there may be an increase in the number of families who will experience a loss of housing. Governor Cuomo has announced an expansion of the state’s rent relief program. Eligibility criteria has changed and applications will be accepted until February 1st, 2021. Click here for more information and to apply.

    Also If you have questions on your rights or need referrals for housing there is a Statewide hotline: 833-503-0447, open 24/7. They will soon be able to answer questions in all languages with interpreters. This is a referral line only — hotline workers aren’t able to answer specific legal questions, but they will be able to direct you to the courts, clerks offices and other resources in your region. If you don’t get through the first time, keep trying!
    If you lose your housing or are living in temporary housing please let your school know!  We are here to help!
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  • IF YOU SHOULD NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR EMOTIONAL HEALTH PLEASE:

           -call or visit Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at Clifton Springs 

             Hospital  315-462-1080

           -call Finger Lakes Lifeline 2-1-1

           -call 9-1-1

           -contact the National Crisis Text Line by texting the word: HOME to 741-741

  • All Students. All Staff. One Family

    The MISSION of the Waterloo Central School District is to put kids first every day. We support each student on a personalized journey to realize their goals. Our caring community develops learners and leaders.

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  • The Waterloo Central School District affirms that no person shall be subjected to discrimination, denied benefits, or excluded from participation in employment or in any educational program or activity on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or on any other basis in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX, Title IV, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal or state laws.  The Waterloo Central School District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

    The Waterloo Central School District encourages students, parents, staff, and community members to report any harassing, bullying, abusive, or unsafe behavior as soon as possible to a school district official, or when appropriate, to law enforcement.

    Superintendent Terri Bavis serves as the Compliance Officer/Coordinator and is authorized to coordinate and carry out the responsibilities of the district under this policy and to coordinate compliance with the regulations and to process any complaint and/or grievance that may be filed in accordance with the grievance procedure heretofore adopted by the District’s Board of Education.  Ms. Bavis can be reached at 315-539-1501; via email at Terri.Bavis@waterloocsd.org; or via mail at the District Office: 109 Washington Street, Waterloo, NY 13165.

    The Waterloo Central School District also prohibits all harassing conduct based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by state or federal law.  The Waterloo Central School District considers harassing conduct to be an abuse contrary to the high moral ethical standards of an educational institution.

    Harassing conduct generally consists of subjecting an individual, on the basis of his/her membership in a protected class, to conduct and/or communications that are sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent as to have the purpose or effect of: creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or a student’s educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or well-being; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual’s employment or educational opportunities.

    Harassing conduct can include unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct which offends, denigrates, or belittles an individual because of his/her membership in a protected class.  Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, derogatory remarks, jokes, demeaning comments or behavior, slurs, mimicking, name-calling, graffiti, innuendo, gestures, physical contact, stalking, threatening, bullying, extorting, or the display or circulation of written materials or pictures.

    The Waterloo Central School District will not tolerate the use of a position of authority to obtain sexual favors in supervisor/employee or faculty/student relationships.  Neither will it condone expressions or actions by any person affiliated with the School District that in any manner constitute sexually harassing conduct, including student-to-student harassment.  Attempts to suppress the report of such actions or to retaliate for the presentation of a report will be considered in the same light as the offending behavior.

    Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Telephone: 646-428-3900.

    For further information on non-discrimination, visit https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/nondisc.html or call 1-800-421-3481.

     

    Abuse or Maltreatment reporting

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