The Jamestown School Board awarded bids on construction projects for capital projects at a special meeting Tuesday. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said the special meeting was held so that contractors who were awarded bids can start ordering … [Read more...]
Jamestown Public School Board Reviews Visitor Policy to Ensure School Safety
The Jamestown Public Schools District is working on a new visitor's policy for schools. The School Board approved the first reading of the "Visitor to the School" policy at their meeting Tuesday. Board member Joe Pawelski said the policy is … [Read more...]
[LISTEN] Community Matters – Kevin Whitaker – December 8, 2022
Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker talks about the State Education Department's communication to districts on mascots. … [Read more...]
JPS Superintendent Criticizes NYS For Dragging Feet on Resolving Small Cities Lawsuit
Jamestown Public Schools' Superintendent is accusing New York State of dragging its feet in resolving a lawsuit over the state under funding poor school districts. Dr. Kevin Whitaker said the state is trying to "smoke out" the remaining eight … [Read more...]
NYS Education Effectively Bans Use of Native American Mascots for Public Schools
The New York State Education Department has effectively banned the use of most Native American mascots for public schools in the State. Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said State Ed sent a communication to all districts … [Read more...]
Additional Monitoring of Jamestown High School Requested Following Break-In
Two youth have been arrested for breaking into Jamestown High School. Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker released a statement saying that the two juveniles got into the high school outside of school hours and were reported … [Read more...]
A Dozen People Voiced Concerns About School Safety, Bullying to Jamestown School Board
Over 30 people attended the Jamestown School Board meeting with 13 speaking to the board with concerns about school safety and bullying. The concerns were raised following a parent speaking at the October 11 School Board meeting about a bullying … [Read more...]
State Aid Being Withheld, COVID Money Influx Led to JPS Reserves Being Overfunded
State aid being held back on top of COVID-related financial concerns were the leading reason for Jamestown Public Schools' reserves being overfunded. JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said in Fall of 2020, then Governor Andrew Cuomo said he … [Read more...]
State Comptroller Report: Jamestown Public Schools Overfunded Fund Balance, Reserves
A State Comptroller's report found that Jamestown Public Schools kept more money in fund balance and reserves than statutes allowed, thus keeping property taxes higher than necessary. The report, which covered July 1, 2018 through April 14, 2022, … [Read more...]
COVID Keeps Jamestown Schools on State Ed’s “Targeted for Improvement” List
The Jamestown Public Schools district, including three schools in the district, have been assigned a "targeted for improvement" designation by New York State. JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said the State Department of Education initially … [Read more...]
