The Niagara Falls School District is moving quickly to replace seven employees fired two weeks ago for violating the residency policy.
School Superintendent Cynthia Bianco said replacements have already been chosen for a few of the open positions and interviews are ongoing for the others. She expects the personnel actions to be ready for school board approval at the Oct. 22 meeting.
“We have kids in front of us and schools and departments to run so we’re moving forward,” Bianco said Wednesday. “We can’t leave positions vacant. We’re handling them as we would any vacant position.”
School Board members voted unanimously on Sept. 24 to fire seven employees, including an English teacher and a high school guidance counselor, found in violation of the district’s 15-year-old residency policy. The employees were living outside of the city, according to an investigation done by a private company hired by the district.
Another targeted employee resigned prior to board action and one teacher has avoided termination, at least temporarily, by getting a court order against the district.
In addition to the English teacher and guidance counselor, the open positions include a classroom associate, food service helper, maintenance worker and two employees in the Information Systems Department.
Bianco said a candidate has already been identified for one of the vacant teacher positions and that interviews were conducted Wednesday for high school guidance counselor.
The Niagara Falls Teachers Union and representatives of the fired employees have said that legal action may be taken against the district in hopes of reversing the dismissals. However, School Board President Russell Petrozzi said the district cannot delay filling the positions while waiting for a court proceeding.
“We feel we’ve done everything by the book,” he said. “There’s always going to be controversy but we have to go forward. You can’t leave critical positions open. You have to do what’s best for kids and what’s best for kids is to move on.”
Local News
FALLS SCHOOLS: District replacing axed employees
Jobs vacant from residency cuts should be filled by Oct. 22
- Local News
-
-
State senator, wife beaten at Seneca Niagara Casino
A state senator and his wife were attacked and beaten and a casino “shareholder” was arrested after one or more incidents at the Seneca Niagara Casino Friday night.
- Staff cuts, large tax increase being considered to fill N-W's $10.M deficit
-
Police searching for jewelry thief caught on tape
-
Falls cops arrest pot and heroin dealers
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
