Attica Central School District

Board of Education — August 2026 Community Update

As part of its commitment to transparent and consistent communication, the Attica Central School District Board of Education is pleased to share highlights from its August 13 and August 27 meetings. Much of the Board’s work focused on preparing for the 2026–2027 school year, monitoring the capital project, reviewing progress under the District Strategic Plan, addressing staffing needs, and overseeing District operations.

Capital Project and Facilities
Buffalo Construction Consultants provided an update on the 2024 Capital Improvement Project, including work at the Elementary School, Jr./Sr. High School, Outdoor Kitchen, and Maintenance Building. Elementary School improvements included the parking lot, playground, Library/STEAM space, data rooms, and fire alarm system. By the August 27 meeting, the Board received photographs of completed and nearly completed spaces, including the newly paved Elementary School parking area and renovated interior areas as crews continued final preparations for opening day.

Strategic Plan and Student Programs
The Board reviewed the District’s 2025–2026 Strategic Plan progress across Student Learning, Student Experience, Community Engagement, Resource Stewardship, and Wellbeing. Highlights included continued preparation for NY Inspires, new Financial Literacy and Climate Education Standards, performance-based learning and assessment, and implementation of the Seal of Civic Readiness at the High School. Middle School initiatives included Activity Days, community service at Attica Memorial Park, and continued development of social-emotional learning supports. Elementary School work included an MTSS audit with Genesee Valley BOCES, classroom service projects, and a Student Wellness Day.

Student Attendance
The Board also completed its annual attendance review. District Policy #7110 emphasizes the connection between consistent attendance, academic achievement, and school completion. The District-wide absence rate continued to improve over the three-year period reviewed. The District will continue to focus on positive school culture, attendance monitoring, data analysis, family partnerships, and early intervention.

Staffing and District Operations
The Board approved several key personnel and organizational actions in preparation for the new school year. Sarra Koch was appointed District Treasurer, and Matthew Stroud was appointed Director of Committee on Special Education. At the August 27 meeting, Madison Young was appointed as an Elementary Education Teacher and Kendall Clements as a School Counselor, both effective September 8. The Board also acted on additional support staff, substitute, extracurricular, athletic, cafeteria, and operational appointments. Remaining recruitment needs included a 7–12 Science Teacher and Middle School Building Secretary.

Financial and Operational Oversight
The Board approved the 2026–2027 school tax warrant in the amount of $12,124,533. It also approved the June and July Treasurer’s Reports and extracurricular financial reports, and reviewed budget transfers over $10,000, the Fall Marching Band performance schedule, and Middle and High School fundraising plans for 2026–2027. Membership updates to the District Health & Safety Committee were also approved.

Looking Ahead
The District looks forward to welcoming faculty and staff back on September 8 and students on September 9. Families are invited to the Elementary School Welcome Back Night on September 8 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. and the Middle School and High School Open House from 5:00–6:30 p.m. The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held September 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

The Board of Education remains committed to keeping the Attica community informed and engaged as we begin the 2026–2027 school year.

Dear Attica Central School District Families and Community Members,

As we prepare to begin the 2026–2027 school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to our students, families, faculty, staff, and community. The beginning of a new school year brings excitement, new opportunities, and the chance to build upon the great work happening throughout the Attica Central School District.

We look forward to welcoming our faculty and staff back on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, followed by the first day of student attendance on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
As we begin another year together, our commitment remains centered on providing meaningful learning experiences for every student while continuing to strengthen the connections among our schools, families, and community.

Back-to-School Open House:
We are pleased to invite our students and families to visit our schools on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for our annual Open House:
• Elementary School Open House: 3:30–5:00 PM
• Middle and High School Open House: 5:00–6:30 PM

These events will provide an excellent opportunity for students and families to meet teachers, visit classrooms, become familiar with schedules and learning spaces, and prepare for a successful first day of school.

We also encourage families to take some time during their visit to see the many changes and improvements taking place throughout our facilities as part of our most recent capital project. Significant work has occurred across the District, and we are excited for our community to see firsthand how these investments are enhancing instructional spaces, student areas, accessibility, infrastructure, and the overall learning environment.

Transportation Information:
Transportation letters for the 2026–2027 school year have been sent to families with student transportation and bus information.

We encourage parents and guardians to carefully review this information prior to the first day of student attendance. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's transportation arrangements, bus assignment, pickup or drop-off information, please contact Student Transportation of America (STA) at 585-250-4034.

Technology Education Returns to Our Middle and High School
Following our community's approval of the 2026–2027 school budget, the District, Board of Education, and Attica Faculty Association worked collaboratively to identify opportunities to strengthen programming for students while remaining mindful of our financial responsibilities. Through that collaborative work, we are pleased to have restored technology education opportunities for our Middle and High School students. Students will once again see Technology Education reflected within their schedules as part of the District's broader commitment to career and technical education and preparing students for future educational and career pathways.

I want to recognize the Board of Education, our faculty and staff, and the Attica Faculty Association for their collaboration and willingness to work together on behalf of our students. This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when we collectively focus on creating opportunities for students while supporting the District's long-term priorities.

Welcoming Deputy Katie West
We are also excited to welcome Deputy Katie West of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office as our new School Resource Officer for the 2026–2027 school year.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Deputy Sam West for his years of dedicated service to the Attica Central School District as our School Resource Officer. Deputy Sam West will continue to work with our students this fall as our DARE Instructor as he prepares for the next chapter of his career. We thank him for the relationships he has built with our students and staff and for his commitment to our school community.

Please join us in welcoming Deputy Katie West to her new role and thanking Deputy Sam West for his dedicated service to Attica.

Looking Ahead to a Great Year:
Throughout the coming year, we will continue working toward our District vision of “Empowering, Fostering, and Advancing Education for a Brighter Future.” Our focus remains on providing a student-centered learning environment, fostering a positive and respectful culture, strengthening community relationships, and embracing innovation and creativity.

The success of our schools depends upon the partnership among students, families, faculty, staff, the Board of Education, and our greater Attica community. I am grateful for the continued support of our schools and look forward to another year of working together for our students.

On behalf of the Attica Central School District, I wish all of our students, families, faculty, and staff a safe, successful, and rewarding 2026–2027 school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kiel Illg
Superintendent of Schools
Attica Central School District

Dear Attica Central School District Families,

Before the District can distribute a district-issued Chromebook to your child, a parent or guardian must review and complete the Student Acceptable Use Policy.

This policy outlines expectations for the safe, responsible, and appropriate use of district technology, the computer network, and internet resources. We encourage families to review these expectations with their children before submitting the acknowledgment.

Please access and complete the policy using the following link:

Complete the Student Acceptable Use Policy

Please note that a Chromebook cannot be issued to a student until the District has received the completed acknowledgment. Families with more than one child should complete the process for each student who will receive a district-issued device.

Locating Your Child’s Student ID

A student ID number is required to access and complete the Student Acceptable Use Policy. We have attached Parent Portal instructions for families who need assistance accessing their child’s student ID. The instructions provide information about creating a Parent Portal account, signing in, and viewing your child’s student information.

If you need additional assistance accessing the Parent Portal or locating your child’s student ID, please contact your child’s school office.

Thank you for helping us promote the safe and responsible use of technology throughout the Attica Central School District.

Attica Central School District
https://www.atticacsd.org/page/schooltool-parent-portal-login

Our phone lines have been restored and are now working properly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Dear Attica Central School District Families, Staff, and Community Members,

At Attica Central School District, we believe that open communication and transparency are essential to maintaining a strong partnership with our students, families, staff, and community.

As part of the Board of Education's commitment to expanding community engagement and increasing awareness of the important work taking place throughout our District, we will be sharing periodic Board of Education Meeting Recaps following regular Board meetings. These summaries are intended to provide an overview of key discussions, presentations, and actions taken by the Board in a clear and accessible format.

While the official Board of Education minutes remain the legal record of each meeting, these recaps are designed to help keep our school community informed about the decisions, initiatives, and accomplishments that support our students and advance our District's Strategic Plan.

Below is the recap from the July 16, 2026 Reorganizational Meeting and Regular Meeting:

Attica Central School District | Board of Education Meeting Recap- July 16, 2026

The Attica Central School District Board of Education held its annual Reorganizational Meeting and Regular Meeting on Thursday, July 16, marking the official start of the 2026-2027 governance year.

We are pleased to congratulate our newly elected Board officers:
🔹 Brian Fugle – Board of Education President
🔹 Melanie Toland – Board of Education Vice President

During the meeting, the Board welcomed newly elected Board members Susan Herman and Bridget Landphair, while also recognizing the re-election of Brian Fugle as he was administered the Oath of Office.

Meeting Highlights:
✅ Approved annual organizational appointments, committee assignments, and district authorizations for the 2026-2027 school year.
✅ Received an update on a proposed Special Class in an Integrated Setting (SCIS) Pre-K Program, expanding opportunities for our youngest learners by Mrs. Maerten and Ms. Bennett.
✅ Approved personnel recommendations, advisor and coaching appointments, student service agreements, and cooperative partnerships that support students and staff.
✅ Accepted donations benefiting student organizations and wellness initiatives, including approximately $2,500 in supplies from the Wyoming County Department of Health.
✅ Adopted updates to several Board policies and approved the 2026-2027 District-Wide Safety Plan and School Building Level Emergency Response Plans.
✅ Received Building Principal Updates and a Superintendent Update highlighting recent student accomplishments, graduation celebrations, end-of-year events, building actions steps related to the District’s strategic plan and the continued progress of the District's capital construction project.
✅The Board of Education approved all agenda items presented during both the Reorganizational Meeting and the Regular Meeting.

Special Business Meeting Notice:
The Board of Education has scheduled a Special Business Meeting for:
🗓️ Wednesday, July 22, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Attica Central School District Conference Room

The purpose of the meeting is for the Board of Education to enter Executive Session to conduct interviews for the School Business Administrator position.

Thank you for your continued support of the Attica Central School District.

We hope these summaries provide an additional opportunity for our community to stay connected and informed about the work of the Board of Education. We encourage all community members to attend Board meetings throughout the year, as public participation and engagement remain an important part of the governance process.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the Attica Central School District. Together, we remain committed to empowering, fostering, and advancing education for a brighter future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kiel Illg
Superintendent of Schools