Depew Union Free School District

The meeting included several consent agenda items. Personnel actions involved appointing and accepting resignations/retirements for various positions, including substitute teachers, a student teacher, clerks, principals, and various laborers and custodians. Coaching appointments and resignations were also approved. Other consent agenda items included accepting 504/CSE reports and approving CPSE recommendations for specified dates in January and February 2026, approving tuition waiver requests for the 2026-2027 school year, and nominating candidates for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services trustee election scheduled for April 21, 2026. Financial matters approved included the January Budget Report, January Revenue Report, and December Treasurer's and Extraclass Room Reports. New business included the first reading of District Policy Section 7000, approval of the 2026-2027 Instructional Calendar, and acceptance of several donations from the Buffalo Bills Foundation, UB Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Chick-fil-A for specific departmental and school uses.

The meeting agenda was approved. Discussion items included building updates and various consent agenda items. The consent agenda saw the approval of personnel matters, such as appointing and accepting resignations (including retirements) for various teaching, substitute, custodial, and transportation staff, as well as approving a Defense and Indemnification agreement. Other consent agenda items involved accepting 504/CSE reports and approving several financial reports, including the December Budget Report and November Treasurer's Report. New business addressed the approval of the revised 2025-2026 Safety Plan, the first reading and subsequent waiver of the second reading for District Policy Section 3000, the first reading and subsequent waiver of the second reading for District Policy Section 4000, authorizing equipment to be declared surplus, and accepting a $1,000 donation from an anonymous donor for the Family Support Center.

The board meeting included updates from the middle school, presented by an eighth-grade student, highlighting activities such as dances, talent shows, honors breakfast, a holiday food drive, community service activities like creating blankets for a children's hospital, and festive theme days. The high school updates covered a town hall meeting on the portrait of a graduate, decorating competitions, a canned food drive, gingerbread house contest, winter concerts, and a senior class ice skating trip. Upcoming events for January, including further town halls and festivals, were noted. A key presentation focused on the new technology suite, detailing facility renovations designed for current needs and future growth, with special thanks given to supporting staff. Additionally, the board reviewed updates to the districtwide safety plan, which incorporated feedback from an external evaluation and necessary amendments related to cardiac emergency response training as required by state law, including the addition of a workplace violence section and an updated SRO agreement. The timeline for fully implementing the cardiac safety plan components by January 20th was reviewed.

The Depew Union Free School District's Professional Development Plan aims to promote professional excellence and ensure successful learning for all students. The plan focuses on several key areas: curriculum design and instructional practice, technology integration, data and assessment, social emotional and culturally responsive teaching and learning, and a comprehensive mentor program for administrators and teachers. It seeks to strengthen pedagogical skills, content knowledge, and foster a collaborative professional culture, ultimately empowering students to become educated, responsible, and technologically literate lifelong learners.

The Depew Union Free School District's Comprehensive District Education Plan aims to provide an engaging learning environment focused on achieving excellence, challenging and inspiring students to achieve at the highest level and become responsible citizens. Key strategic goals include inspiring and preparing students to be confident, competent, caring, and contributing individuals; transforming learning through an innovative K-12 educational environment; and providing a safe and inviting school climate by fostering a culturally responsive positive environment. The plan is guided by a philosophy of continuous improvement, with the ultimate goal of preparing students to adapt to an ever-changing world.