Update from Clarence CSD January 23, 2026

Dear Clarence School Family,

Each year, schools in New York State are legally required to meet a minimum number of days and instructional hours. With Labor Day being so late this coming September, finalizing the 2026-2027 school calendar has been particularly challenging. While we should have a final version to post on our website in the near future, I wanted to pass along the dates for our major vacations in case anyone is starting to think about future travel plans:

• Winter Recess: December 24-January 1
• Mid-Winter Recess: February 15-19
• Spring Recess: March 26-April 2

State Funding Update

Each Friday, I try to highlight the many positive things happening in our schools, but from time to time it’s important to share updates from Albany that may impact Clarence. Following her State of the State address, Governor Hochul proposed a $1.627 billion (4.3%) increase in total school funding for the 2026–27 school year. Of that amount, only 3% would be allocated to Foundation Aid, the State’s largest funding stream for public schools. While we do not anticipate a reduction in State Aid, this proposal would provide Clarence with only a 1% increase—well short of what is needed to keep pace with rising costs and enrollment growth.

It’s important to remember that this proposal is just the first step in a lengthy budget process. The Assembly and Senate will develop their own plans before a final State Budget is adopted. We will follow the process closely in the months ahead and reach out to our elected officials to advocate for a final budget that supports the programs and opportunities we value here in Clarence. If you are interested in doing the same, we encourage you to visit the Legislative Advocacy section of our website. 

Pride in Our People

We are proud to share that Mr. Daniel Graf, a physics teacher in the High School, has been selected to participate in New York State’s prestigious Master Teacher Program. Mr. Graf, a 1999 Clarence graduate who has taught at the High School since 2008, was one of 177 STEM educators statewide chosen for the four-year program. The program emphasizes continuous learning, regional collaboration, and mentoring early-career teachers—values that strongly reflect Mr. Graf’s approach to teaching. A former engineering student, Mr. Graf brings real-world relevance into his physics classroom, helping students see how science connects to everyday life. If you see Mr. Graf out and about in the days to come, please take a moment to congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.

A Bee-utiful Display of Learning

Our Middle School students recently showed their skills as they competed in our annual Spelling Bee. Thirty students in grades 6–8 competed through 22 challenging rounds, exhausting the entire study guide along the way. Sixth grader Benjamin Gibson eventually captured first place with the word “diagonal,” and he will represent Clarence at the regional competition in Fredonia this March. Seventh grader Ava Ramachandran finished as runner-up after a closely contested head-to-head, while eighth graders Abigail Luk and Arnav Kukar tied for third. A big thank you to the Middle School PTO for supporting our spellers with gift cards, and congratulations to all who participated.

Appreciating Excellence in Clarence

As we move into the second half of the year, I wanted to provide a reminder about our Red Devil Recognitions, a program that highlights individuals who make Clarence a special place to work and learn. At our monthly Board of Education meetings, our governance team takes a few minutes to recognize students, staff, parents, and community members who consistently show up as hard-working, respectful, kind, and compassionate. These Red Devil Recognitions are a small but meaningful way to say thank you to those who go above and beyond each day. If you know a member of our school community who deserves this recognition, I encourage you to submit a nomination through our online form.

(While on the topic of Board meetings, kudos to our Sharks for an outstanding presentation last week. From instructional technology to inclusive practices, they gave an engaging overview of all the good things going on at Sheridan Hill.)

Senior Takes Flight in Aviation Technology Program

I also want to share the story of senior Connor Merlihan and his experience in the Aviation Technology program at the Harkness Career and Technical Education Center. Through hands-on learning and real flight experiences, Connor confirmed that a career as a pilot is the right path for him, and he is now preparing to attend professional flight school after graduation. His journey reflects a larger impact. Currently, 126 Clarence students participate in Career and Technical Education programs, and 20 have been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society in the past three years. These students make us proud, and their experiences lead to valuable skills and meaningful futures.

It’s been a short week but a good one here at school. Stay warm this weekend and enjoy time with family and friends.

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools
Nominate Someone for a Red Devil Recognition

PS: If you’re looking for something fun to do tomorrow, remember that the Clarence Youth Bureau will be holding its annual Winterfest from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Clarence Town Park. The event should be a lot of fun, and it will involve everything from a Kid Biz Market, to games, to food, to raffles.