WWW.NWCSD.ORG NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT MEETS EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
WHERE COMMUNIT MEETS EDUCATION NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DI AT A GLANCE NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT WHAT: A Western New York district achieving fiscal stability through strategic investments in safety, modernized facilities, and inclusive programming WHERE: Niagara County, New York WEBSITE: www.nwcsd.org A WESTERN NEW YORK DISTRICT TRANSFORMING CHAL STRATEGIC VISION, INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS, AND STATE1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
TY INVESTMENT NAL EXCELLENCE ISTRICT Located in Western New York, NiagaraWheatfield Central School District (NWCSD) has transformed itself into a model of educational excellence through community-driven priorities. Superintendent Daniel Ljiljanich captures this spirit,“Niagara-Wheatfield is a community that cares about kids.” Once the most fiscally stressed district in the State, NWCSD has achieved remarkable stability through strategic investments in infrastructure, technology and LLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH -OF-THE-ART LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
inclusive programming. The district’s decade-long, $100 million modernization effort has upgraded everything from STEM facilities to athletic complexes while fostering unique community partnerships. At the heart of NWCSD’s success lies a commitment to creating environments where every student can thrive, a philosophy evident in its academic achievements, innovative programs and recognition for inclusivity. CORE VALUES AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS NWCSD’s success rests on three pillars: safety, investment in facilities, and inclusive environments for all students. Ljiljanich emphasizes this trifecta as the foundation for the district’s 10-year transformation. Safety investments span infrastructure, staff training, and ensuring secure learning spaces. The facilities overhaul addressed decades of deferred maintenance, “there was very little work done for a decade or so before that. We had some catching up to do,” notes Ljiljanich. “Initially, projects were done to improve the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings because they were in such disrepair due to the lack of funds, the most recent projects have not only worked to maintain the campus, but have also enhanced the campus,” he adds. Highlights include a state-of-the-art athletic complex featuring a multi-purpose turf field capable of hosting simultaneous baseball and softball games. Dr.Allison Davis,Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Management, adds that the complex includes “new grandstand, new press box, new dugouts, and field lighting.” The district’s transformation extends to academic spaces and its STEM facilities, where aging infrastructure received critical upgrades. “Those STEM rooms in our middle school were as old as the building,” Ljiljanich explains.“So they were tech rooms that were close to 70 years old.” Dr. Davis details the comprehensive renovations, adding, “we did complete renovation of the middle school and are planning to do that at the high school, making them ADA accessible, including new equipment, new seating, ventilation, and add capacity for drones, Legos, and VEX programs.” A new 1,150-seat auditorium, doubling previous capacity, underscores the district’s commitment to arts accessibility. “We also added an elevator in there to increase accessibility and align with ADA standards and compliance,” adds Dr. Davis. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
by serving as an instructional hub for students, community, and visitors who wish to learn more about the Niagara River Greenway and the culture of the Haudenosaunee people,” says Dr. Davis, explaining its dual purpose of educating students on environmental stewardship while honoring the Tuscarora Nation’s cultural ties to the watershed. Together, these investments reflect NWCSD’s holistic approach to nurturing student success, one that Inclusivity extends to the eco-campus revitalization along Cayuga Creek, a partnership with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers, the Tuscarora Environmental Program Office, and the Niagara Wheatfield Amateur Athletics (NWAA). “The project actually began in 2011, and it sought to return the land to nature for recreation.The main goal is to educate individuals on the importance of protecting and restoring the natural environment 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
pairs cutting-edge infrastructure with intentional community connections. TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMIC INNOVATION NWCSD’s strategic technology investments positioned the district to thrive during and beyond the pandemic. A critical Wi-Fi infrastructure upgrade, completed just before COVID-19 hit, proved transformative.“We didn’t have the ability to do what we actually needed to do in the pandemic,” Ljiljanich recalls, “we came in just under the wire with that.” The district now provides one-to-one Chromebook access and has extended internet subsidies to underserved families, ensuring equitable access. Federal funding through the American Rescue Plan propelled NWCSD’s STEM initiatives forward. “The Rescue Plan funding certainly helped us not only with the professional development side, but also the purchasing capacity to be able to deliver some of the instruction that we offer to our elementary students,” explains Thomas Stack, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Pupil Services. These resources expanded programs like Lego Robotics and drone soccer while upgrading technology infrastructure. To maximize these investments, NWCSD focused on both hardware and human capital.After-school STEM clubs now bridge classroom learning with real-world applications, supported by comprehensive teacher training. “Today, teachers are so well-equipped to work in a Google classroom or a Google school district,” Ljiljanich observes. “They’re able to go in and utilize all of the capabilities that program has to offer.” The results speak for themselves, “our kids are really flourishing because of it.” Looking ahead, the district sustains this momentum through a dedicated technology reserve. As Stack explains, “our district has done a really good job at creating a technology reserve to not only enhance our technology infrastructure, but make sure that we stay current with it so that we have a kind of a concurrent wheel of turning over our technology every five years or so to stay fresh with operating programs and things of that nature on the tech side.” 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Creating safe, efficient, and engaging learning environments is critical to student success—and that starts with the buildings themselves. Stark Tech is proud to partner with K-12 school districts and engineering firms to transform educational spaces through specialized technology and equipment that enhance both comfort, safety, and functionality. As a leading facility optimization provider, we understand that every school district faces its own set of challenges. That’s why we deliver customized energy and infrastructure solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each district. From outdated HVAC systems to disconnected building technologies, we provide custom solutions designed to streamline operations and improve longterm performance. Stark Tech provides master systems integration, including building controls, protective systems, and A/V solutions, managed from a single platform. We partner with school districts to upgrade or replace equipment while staying on budget and on schedule. Our certified technicians and project managers offer ongoing support with maintenance plans that ensure long-term system performance. At Stark Tech, we’re committed to helping schools create healthier, smarter, and more sustainable learning environments—so educators can focus on what matters most: teaching the next generation.
SUPPORTING EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS NWCSD’s commitment to excellence extends to comprehensive support systems for both educators and learners. The district invests significantly in teacher development, offering five dedicated professional development days annually. These sessions cover everything from curriculum enhancements to state-mandated training, ensuring educators remain at the forefront of educational practices. Recognizing the challenges facing today’s educators, the district implemented NW Cares, an innovative employee assistance program. “The significance of partnering with that particular program is it is more of an international agency that allows our staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be able to get in touch with someone,” explains Stack. This 24/7 support system addresses diverse needs including mental health, financial counseling, and family care. For students, career readiness takes center stage through robust BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) partnerships. Approximately 20% of juniors and seniors participate in programs ranging from welding and nursing to digital design and pre-law. “Those are all two-year programs for our students,” notes Ljiljanich, “as a district our size, we wouldn’t be able to offer those types of programs in-house if it were not for a BOCES program.” Cultural inclusion forms another pillar of student support, manifested through meaningful collaboration with the Tuscarora Nation.The district’s language development grant funds Tuscarora language instruction, now in its third year with three Native American instructors, while dual-language 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
signage throughout campuses honors Indigenous heritage.“What’s really important is that the members of the Tuscarora Nation have an opportunity now to learn their language,” Ljiljanich emphasizes,“because the boarding schools took that opportunity away from individuals in past generations.” Students can explore this heritage through both language courses and electives on Tuscarora culture. Dr. Davis highlights the My Brother’s Keeper Grant, which provides Tuscarora students with vocational training and mentorship,“basically a career readiness program that provides Tuscarora students with improved life outcomes, they’re immersed in social gatherings and projects in an effort to build character and prepare them for the job market.” These programs reflect NWCSD’s commitment to preserving Indigenous identity while creating pathways to future success. Together, these efforts foster an ecosystem where educators and students alike gain the tools and support to succeed in today’s evolving educational environment. ARTS, ATHLETICS, AND INCLUSIVITY NWCSD’s commitment to well-rounded education shines through its vibrant arts and athletics programs, both rooted in accessibility and excellence. The 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
we’re really proud of is the sportsmanship award,” emphasizes Ljiljanich, a testament to NWCSD’s belief that character development matters as much as competition. LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE GOALS At NWCSD, leadership is as much about learning as it is about guiding others. Ljiljanich embodies this philosophy daily.“I always walk out of [student interactions] realizing I’ve learned something I didn’t know before,” he reflects, describing recent work with life skills students on art projects. Dr. Davis personifies this growth mindset at the organizational level, having recently completed her doctorate at 59. “I think it’s important that we set an example for not only the kids, but the staff too,” she explains, demonstrating that professional development has no expiration date. Stack brings a human-centered approach to district leadership. His guiding principle, “everybody is district’s arts curriculum spans from middle school musicals to AP art courses, with student work proudly displayed across district buildings. Athletics mirror this inclusive approach. With 69 programs, NWCSD was recently honored as one of only 13 New York schools to earn “national banner status” from Special Olympics for its unified sports initiative.“Unified basketball is offered here...along with bowling and extramural bocce,” explains Stack. Each team engages 25-30 students, blending general and special education populations through sportsmanship.“It’s really been a powerful thing for our school community to be engaged in. It allows our students that are very active on our varsity teams to work really well with students that have not had those opportunities in the past and have had some disadvantages due to disabilities of some sort, and it’s really a powerful thing,” he adds. This philosophy extends to traditional athletics, where the district has won multiple awards in the competitive Niagara Frontier League.“The award that SMART SCHOOLS Your journey to a Smart School starts here The Smart School is digitally connected to the next generation, for the next generation. Start your journey to a Smart School today to create the foundation for a smarter tomorrow. usa.siemens.com/smartschool 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Stark Tech www.starktech.com Stark Tech is a market leading technology provider, delivering customized solutions with master systems integration, equipment, and service, and building analytics that drive sustainability goals and keep facilities on their mission. In addition, our certified technicians provide ongoing support through maintenance plans that ensure long-term performance and efficiency. n Eagle Systems, Inc. www.eagleny.com Award winning, 33 year old locally owned & operated office technology company with offices in Buffalo and Jamestown, New York. Eagle Systems provides authorized sales and service from multiple manufacturer’s product lines. Offerings include environmentally sustainable compliant copiers, printers, scanners, barcode printers, interactive white boards, commercial grade shredders, folding machines and software to promote organizational efficiency, productivity and work flow automation. n Siemens Industry usa.siemens.com/smartschool Siemens is committed to making K-12 education succeed for everyone – students, educators staff, and their communities. Your Smart School starts with smart infrastructure. That means we work together to create the optimal environment for learning, one that is healthy, safe, and comfortable, as well as connected. STEM programs and Tuscarora Nation partnerships, NWCSD has established itself as a regional leader in community-centered education. As Ljiljanich notes, the path forward remains clear through continuing to strengthen NWCSD’s caring and compassionate academic environment. This sustained focus ensures students will graduate prepared to thrive in an evolving economy while carrying forward the district’s core values of inclusion and excellence. fighting a battle,” informs every decision. “You have to be extraordinarily cognizant of that when you’re working with our community, our students and our staff,” he emphasizes, noting how this awareness shapes NWCSD’s compassionate culture. Looking ahead, Ljiljanich’s vision remains characteristically focused yet expansive. “It would be to continue to improve on what I believe is a caring, compassionate and focused academic environment here in Niagara-Wheatfield,” he says, when asked about objectives for the next two years. It’s a vision that honors NWCSD’s transformation while recognizing education as an ongoing journey of refinement and growth. EDUCATING FOR TOMORROW Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District exemplifies how intentional investments in infrastructure, technology, and cultural inclusivity create transformative learning environments. From its $100 million facilities modernization to innovative 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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