Burgard Vocational High School is a vocational high school located in the Kensington neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, USA. It holds about 800 students from Grades 9-12 and teaches according to the Board of Regents. The current Principal is Mr. Brian Wiesinger, and the current Assistant Principals are Mr. Andre Thomas and Mrs. Lorenda Williams<ref name=Admin>Buffalo Public Schools. Retrieved September 19, 2010, from Burgard Public Schools: Burgard High School 301</ref>.

Academics

Burgard offers Regents level courses as required by New York State. Burgard's curriculum includes a career and technical component in classes such as Automotive Repair Technology, Virtual Enterprise, Welding, Computer-aided design (CAD) & CAM Robotics, and Building Management<ref name=BurgardTour>Burgard virtual tour. (2009). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.buffaloschools.org//videos.cfm?vID=2043</ref>.

Schedule

* * For students with 1st Lunch * & For students with 2nd Lunch * For students with 3rd Lunch

2010 controversy

In 2010, Burgard was placed on New York State's list of consistently low-achieving high schools in the state. The school's current graduation rate is 44%, below state standards, and saw a drop in on test scores on Regents exams in all subject areas except [[Earth science]]<ref name=JITReport>Jones, M. H. (2010). New York State Education Department Joint Intervention Team (JIT) Review: The Written Report. Albany: New York State Education Department.</ref> New state requirements state that schools on the list that do not show improvement must either convert to a charter school, replace the building principal and at least 50% of its staff, create incentive pay for high-performing staff and implement staff development for teachers that do not, or close entirely<ref name=Watchlist>Simon, P. (2010, January 22). 7 Buffalo schools on state list face reforms. The Buffalo News.</ref>. Superintendent James Williams initially announced that he would keep Principal Florence Schmiert-Krieter in place at Burgard despite the fact that doing so would cost the school and district federal funds<ref name=Summer10Watchlist>Pasiack, M. B. (2010, July 25). Williams will keep principals at three failing schools. The Buffalo News.</ref>, approximately two million dollars per year for three years<ref name=BurgardProfile>Pasiack, M. B. (2010, August 17). Profile: Burgard Vocational High School. The Buffalo News.</ref>. Following a visit by the state education department, Williams announced that he would remove Krieter as well as the principals at two other Buffalo high schools<ref name=PrincipalsRemoved>Pasiack, M. B. (2010, November 12). Principals shifted to positions on central staff. The Buffalo News .</ref>, with the changes taking effect October 15, 2010<ref name=Goodbye>Pasiack, M. B. (2010, October 19). Ways To Say Goodbye. The Buffalo News</ref>. Around that time, it was announced that Burgard had failed to meet the requirements for those grants, and would not receive that funding<ref name=Grants>Pasiack, M. B. (2010, October 19). State OKs grant for 4 schools. The Buffalo News.</ref>.

History

The school was founded in 1910 as a combined printing class between Public School #5 and Public School #44 on Elm Street in Buffalo. In 1914, it became known as the "Elm Technical School." A $1,000,000 construction project was begun to construct a new facility for the school, with the land being donated by Henry P. Burgard<ref name=Archistory>LaChiusa, C. Burgard Vocational HS Retrieved September 19, 2010, from Buffalo Architectural History.</ref>.

In 2009, a renovation was completed on the school that expanded the main office and created new science and computer labs, technology shops, and renovation to the automobile shops. Locker rooms were also expanded<ref name=RamtechProject>Ramtech Engineers. (Ramtech Engineers - Projects - Buffalo Public Schools - Burgard High School. Burgard High School Retrieved September 9, 2010, from Ramtech Engineers: </ref>.

Selected former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses *Mr. William B. Kamprath-1914-1953<ref name=Joser>"Truck and Bus". (2006, August 14). Retrieved September 19, 2010, from Karl R. Joser Photos: Burgard High School Photo</ref> (Principal - Elm Vocational School, retired) *Mr. Joseph F. Crotty-1953-1970 (Vice Principal - Burgard Vocational High School, passed away) *Mr. J. Patrick Curry-1970-1984 (Vice Principal -Seneca Vocational High School, retired)<ref name=CurryObit>J. PATRICK CURRY, RETIRED BURGARD PRINCIPAL. (1994, December 29). The Buffalo News.</ref> *Mr. James F. Harmon-1984-1985 (Principal - McKinley Vocational High School, retired) *Mr. John J. Mattimore-1986-1988 (Principal - South Park High School, retired<ref name=Mattimore>John J. Mattimore, Principal in Buffalo schools . (2011, May 2). The Buffalo News</ref>) *Mr. Rocco A. Lamparelli-1989-1990 (Supervising Principal - Buffalo Public Schools' Secondary Schools, retired) *Mr. Thomas P. Kopera-1990-2002<ref name=02Report>Mills, R. P. (2002). The New York State School Report Card for Burgard Vocational High School in Buffalo City School District. Albany: New York State Department Of Education.</ref> (Assistant Principal - Lafayette High School, retired) *Mr. James J. Pautler-2002-2006<ref name=06Report>Mills, R. P. (2006). New York State School Report Card Comprehensive Information Report. Albany: New York State Department Of Education.</ref> (Assistant Principal - Kensington High School, assigned to Buffalo Public Schools' Office of Shared Accountability<ref name=2007Feb14>Buffalo Public Schools (2007, February 14). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.</ref>) *Mr. Carlos J. Villarroel [interim]-2006-2007 (Vice Principal - Burgard High School<ref name=2006Dec06>Buffalo Public Schools (2006, December 6). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.</ref>, named Assistant Principal of Frank A. Sedita Academy<ref name=2007Feb14/>) *Mrs. Florence S. Krieter-2007-2010 (Interim Assistant Principal - Burgard High School <ref name=2007Feb14/>, assigned to Buffalo Schools' Department of School Turnarounds<ref name=PrincipalsRemoved/>) *Ms. Genelle E. Morris-Adams-2010 [interim] (Director of Data Analysis - Buffalo Public Schools<ref name=2010Dec01>Buffalo Public Schools (2010, December 1). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.</ref>, returned to District Office)

Selected former assistant principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses *Mr. Laverne H. Engel-1932-1937 (English teacher - Seneca Vocational High School, named Head of Related Subjects for Buffalo Public Schools) *Mr. Joseph M. Crotty<ref name=Joser/>-1948-1953 (unknown, named Principal of Burgard Vocational High School) *Dr. William Sharp-?-1962 *Mr. Archie Rouselle-1962-1972 (Carpentry teacher - McKinley Vocational High School, named Assistant Principal of [Emerson Vocational High School]) *Mr. Thomas F. Cosgrove [interim]-1969-1970 (Math teacher - Burgard High School, returned to teaching) *Mr. Joseph T. Schmidle (Teacher - Emerson Vocational High School, named Director of Manpower Development for Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education) *Mr. Salvatore Sedita-1975-? (English teacher - McKinley Vocational High School, named Principal of Emerson Vocational High School) *Mr. Jack L. Migliore (Guidance Counselor - Burgard High School, unknown) *Mr. Don Brusky [interim]-1988-1990 (Coach - Burgard High School, returned to position) *Mr. Thomas C. Aquino-1990-1992 (Deputy Youth Director - City of Buffalo, named Supervisor of Personnel/Teacher Aides for Buffalo City Schools) *Mr. Leonard J. Carfley-1992-1993 (unknown, retired) *Mrs. Aloma D. Johnson-1993-1999 (Guidance Counselor - Burgard Vocational High School, retired) *Mrs. Mary A. Craig-1999-2003 (Unknown, named Assistant Principal of [Grover Cleveland High School]) *Mr. Carlos Villarroel<ref name=OldBHSHome/>-2003-2006 (Assistant Principal - Grover Cleveland High School, named Interim Principal of Burgard High School<ref name=2006Dec06/>) *Mrs. Denise E. Clarke-2003-2005<ref name=OldBHSHome>Buffalo Public Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved September 9, 2010, from Buffalo Public Schools: Buffalo Public Schools - Burgard.</ref> (ESL Teacher - Burgard High School<ref name=91405Mins>Herod-Zak, R. (2005). 09-14-05 Administrative Board Changes - Special Meeting. Board of Education Special Meeting September 14, 2005 (p. 1). Buffalo: Buffalo Public Schools.</ref>, named Acting Assistant Principal of [[Frederick Law Olmsted School|Frederick Law Olmsted 64]]<ref name=91405Mins>Herod-Zak, R. (2005). 09-28-05 Administrative Board Changes. Board of Education Special Meeting September 28, 2005 (p. 1). Buffalo: Buffalo Public Schools.</ref>) *Mrs. Florence Schmiert Krieter [interim]-2006-2007 (Social Studies Teacher - Burgard High School<ref name=2006Dec06/>, named Interim Principal of Burgard High School<ref name=2007Feb14/>) *Mr. Bert L. Stevenson-2007-2008 (Director of Special Services - Buffalo Public Schools, named Assistant Principal of [Bennett High School]<ref name=Adminchanges>Sommer, M. (2008, August 14). 32 administrative changes approved. The Buffalo News.</ref><ref name=2008Aug13>Buffalo Public Schools (2008, August 13). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.</ref>) *Dr. Barbara J. Carson-Jones-2008-2010 (Vice Principal - Seneca Vocational High School<ref name=Adminchanges/>, retired<ref name=2010Jul7Sup>http://notes2.buffalo.k12.ny.us/doc/BoardMee.nsf/bf25ab0f47ba5dd785256499006b15a4/87a4c513cc2119a38525775b0052b1fd/$FILE/07%2007%2010.S.ADM.xls</ref>)

Selected former administrators

*Denotes interim appointment

Notable alumni

*Andre Coleman-former professional football player with the San Diego Chargers and Edmonton Eskimos *Brian C. Davis-Former member of Buffalo, NY City Council *Demone Smith-Member of Buffalo, NY Common Council *James Stockman-Director of North Country Emergency Medical Services Program Agency. *Al Dekdebrun

References

{{reflist}}

External links

* School Website

Comments