Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter

http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9

Tony Paretto today officially launched his campaign for re-election to the Niagara Falls School District Board of Education. Having been first elected to the board in 2013, Paretto vowed to continue his dedicated service to the students and families of Niagara Falls and to remain committed to his goal of providing access to greater opportunities for all students in public schools.

Paretto is a City of Niagara Falls electrician and worked for over 20 years as a union electrician. He resides in LaSalle with his wife Sue and three children, daughter Kaitlyn, a student at Niagara Falls High School, and sons Michael and Anthony, both NFHS graduates.

Citing the strong leadership of school Superintendent Mark Laurie and an active and committed school board, Paretto echoed a district motto: “Learning For All … Whatever It Takes” in expressing his gratitude to the voters for voting him onto the board five years ago and asking again for their vote in the election to be held on May 15. He added: “I take the responsibility of serving on the school board very seriously, have an excellent meeting attendance record and have vigorously championed causes that I believe support the vision statement of the district to be a world-class, quality organization educating all students for life.”

Paretto listed several key areas in which he has a keen interest, and which will remain high on his personal agenda should he be re-elected. The areas include:

• Student protection. Nothing is more important than the safety of our students and staff. We must continue the district’s emphasis on best practices and protocols to govern emergency and crisis situations.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The Niagara Falls is the only district in the State to construct dedicated STEM classrooms in every
• Vocational training. Trott and LaSalle H.S. had strong vocational programs that are gone, so Paretto supports the continued addition of vocational studies at the level below secondary school, at night for those already in the workforce who are seeking skills training and increased collaboration with union halls in training and hiring.
• Pre-K for 3-year-old children. Noting the success achieved during the two years the program has been in place, Paretto supports efforts to identify adequate funding to expand the program to coverage throughout the city.
• Continued capital construction. A State funded project of nearly $70 million is complete and $55 million in additional projects were approved in December 2017. Both programs are funded without any increase in the district tax levy.

School board member Paretto ended his announcement by stating: “If the voters put their trust in me for a second term they will not be disappointed. My commitment to cost control while maintaining and improving the quality of education for all will never waver.”

**Press release from the Re-Elect Tony Paretto Campaign**