Dear CLCS Community,

Every second and fourth Wednesday, the members of the Board of Education meet to discuss the decisions that govern the education of our children. We discuss progressive programming, fiscal responsibility, special education, education policy, and we work to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment, all of which align with our vision and mission for our district. As the budget vote approaches, it may consume the discussion in the spring; however, it is developed and constructed carefully since September. Our district’s budget should let our stakeholders know our priorities. Our priority is providing resources, programs, and opportunities to our students in order to assist them in achieving their goals. The focus of our budget is always to ensure that our students are civic, college, or career ready as they graduate and look to compete in the global market.

As Thunderbirds, we have a long-standing tradition of providing high-quality, instructionally diverse programs in a fiscally responsible manner to our CLCS students. Our students continue to be enriched by our various partnerships. Beginning from the early stages, our families have access to the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center to assist with childcare needs. Our elementary students have the opportunity to participate in Chautauqua Institution’s Young Playwright’s Project. Elementary and secondary students may benefit from our partnerships with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, Jamestown Community College or the Rochester Institute of Technology, to support the educational pathways of their choice. Pathways may include special education, social emotional supports, CTE (Career and Technical Education), Project Lead the Way, the Manufacturing program, or our New Visions program. Our choices for the budget have considered the community’s financial needs, students’ needs and the current and future effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have been fiscally responsible in our decisions despite the challenging COVID-19 times. We continue to partner with Ripley Central School District and feel that our tuition agreement continues to offer advantages to all students. The budget for the 2021-2022 school year represents a 1.44% tax levy increase, which is the lowest it has been in four years. As the elected Board of Education, we continue to be grateful for the support we receive from our faculty, staff, parents, stakeholders and community. We enjoy having members of the community attend our bi-monthly meetings and look forward to your future involvement. Please feel free to attend our 7 p.m. board meetings and special meetings as posted on our website and Facebook page. Our Annual Budget Hearing will be held in person this year on May 11, 2021, at 6 p.m. in the Secondary Library. Due to COVID-19 procedures, please reserve your seat by calling (716) 753-5808. Thank you for your help in creating a promising future for our children.

Yours truly,
Your Board of Education

Amy Webb, President
Michael Ludwig, Vice President
Travis Bensink
Andrea Munsee-Wellman
Melissa Putney
Kenneth Shearer
Zachary Stahlsmith