001The regular meeting of the South County Board of Education is called to order. Roll call. Thomas Blakeley >> here. >> Brian Casey here. >> Stephanie Kogan here. >> Vincent Porenzo >> here. >> Rose Giggleello >> here. >> Jennifer Bulahan >> here. >> Michael Keane here. >> David Keel here. >> Christopher Larby is excused. Robert Mis here. Pledge to the flag. Please rise. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with justice for all. Agenda item number three, approval of the minutes. These refer to the minutes of our regular meeting of February 3rd, 2026. Are there any edits or comments? Hearing none, I will take a motion. Mr. Blakeley, second, Miss Giggley. On the motion made by Mr. Blakeley,
002seconded by Miss Gigglyello, that the minutes of the regular meeting of the February 3rd, 2026 meeting be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries 8 to zero. Agenda item number four, superintendent update. Dr. Perry. >> Yes. Thank you, Miss. Uh, good evening everyone. Good to see everybody. Uh, and u just wanted to provide some updates on some uh events we've got going on highlighting our our students. So March 3rd and 5th, grade seven and eight concerts going on at S Creek Creek. Uh you get an opportunity to come and celebrate our students in the middle school. March 10th is our first draft of our instructional budget. Tonight we present the student support services uh component of the budget and on March 10th at Saddlewood we will present the total budget as the first draft.
003Um and that begins uh at 6:30. Uh March 12th through the 14th. our line and queue uh drama program at the high school is presenting Mamma Mia. Most of the shows are 7 o'clock. Saturday there's two shows at 1 and 7 p.m. So come out and support that. And we got a number of uh teams and individual athletes that are continuing on in sectional play. So good luck to those students as they come back from the uh winter break hopefully well rested and and ready to to go. So um again, thank you all for being here tonight. I know we're battling the cold and and uh snowy weather and stuff like that, but it's good to see everybody. >> Thank you very much. Agenda item number five, new business. >> Anyone, Mr. Keane? >> So,
004while it's not district related, it is our community. Um, want to give thanks to the town of Colony. um living in West Albany, uh I got to watch construction project down at Pocket Park and wasn't sure what it was. And then all of a sudden there's now a ice skating rink for um kids and adults to to utilize and, you know, it's a great way to, you know, get kids off the keyboard and have them, you know, go skate and maybe they can buy some curling shoes and shuffle across the ice. >> That's right. That's right. Can we see Can we count on seeing you there, Mr. I am scouting for for skates. They'll be open. They're opening for 30 days this year and then so they utilize some co funds and it's got some
005refrigeration technology that will make it a lot easier to utilize and just we grew up with they put ice on the tennis courts and that's right >> you got what you got. >> Yeah. Terrific. Thank you very much. anyone this giggly yellow. >> Um I don't get to go as much anymore because I have a new goal in life, but I was able to go to the forest park for a new year and it was adorable. It was >> It was Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Keith. >> I would just like to say I've said this many many times, one of the best parts of this job, probably the best part of this job is going to the elementary schools to see all the different things that are going on. And uh I'll tell
006you the uh UPK kids at Saddlewood put on a wonderful uh they call it the cabin fever presentation. Amazing because they're now fours and fives years old and they're they had probably 10 different little songs or skits that they did all from memory and it was wonderful. Forest Park is that that's the one you just mentioned was was great. Uh we we also they had a lunar uh parade at Vera that I liked and at Rosel Roselville and I just noticed that uh on the 27th, Friday the 27th, we're going to Shaker Road for another one. So they're just wonderful to see those little kids and big kids and adults and everybody else. So it's wonderful. Thank you. >> Very good. Very good. >> Okay. [snorts] Anyone else? Mr. Forenzo. >> Um, most recently I
007Care has been mainly focusing on development of Packfest and which will as a reminder is May 16th, 2026. >> Um, like how Dr. Perry said, Mamia is going to be held on March 12th through the 14th. I know the [laughter] Ling Q is looking forward to putting that on. Um most recently um high school has had this um thing they've been doing called the art of resilience and we had a virtual assembly and this is in partnership with bringing on the spectrum and um other local special needs and just community based um organizations and this was a it was a great assembly that we all had to um we did with our classrooms and it was um it was just great. And then I don't usually do this very often, but I talked to Mr.
008Bro about it. A few minor concerns at the high school is that in English and social studies wings there's a bit of a heating and cooling problem whether or not the rooms are a little too hot, a little too cold and there's it's either like it's either 80 degrees or it's 65 degrees. And that's just [laughter and snorts] where it is right now. And then parking visibility after like it snows. And so a lot of the people that have to find the parking spots that are numbered and then that's just whether or not the district is the one that plows or the town. It's just something that a lot of students have been talking about and it's just something that we that's about it. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate you letting
009us know Mr. Casey. [clears throat] >> In this school district we have a phenomenal music department as I think we all can realize and recently I see that the Mr. cartel has been nominated for a Barry Mattalo award. Um, and people vote on it. So, those that are watching, those that are here, if you have friends and relatives, um, might be nice if we all got on the internet and voted for Mr. Hartell. And I guess it's a pretty prestigious award. There's a whole bunch of music teachers across the the area here that are nominated. So, I would suggest take a look at that. And it does bring some money into um our music program. >> You never know. All right. Thank you. Very good cash. Appreciate that. Anyone else? Very good. Dr. Perry. >>
010Yeah. I just wanted to pass along our condolences to Beth Royy's family. We lost Beth as a member of St. Creek most recently and also to the family of uh Rick Dunn. Mr. Dunn was a board member from 2007 to 2012. his wife um worked for our district office for many years and his son's a graduate as well. So, our condolences to both those families. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Very good. All right. Thank you very much then. Agenda item number six. This is communications. I do have some [clears throat] public comments, but first we are Oh, okay. Christy is here. All right. First, Mr. Catch Dorian is going to go ahead and explain the process and the parameters. >> Not to be the the rule enforcer, but I'm going to be the rule enforcer.
011We just need to make sure that we stick to a time schedule. So, we're going to look at all of our speakers, three minutes. I'll give you a 30 second warning and try and keep it thereabouts so that we can keep this moving forward. And the total number of um submissions that we have and the topic should be about 15 minutes total dedicated to this conversation. >> All right. So, I do have there's no online comments because Christie is >> she is here. >> is here. All right. Hey, Christie. Um, all right, Chrissy, would you like to to go ahead first then? Do you have your comments in [laughter] in front of you? >> Sure. >> Okay. Come on. Come on out so we can so we can see you. [laughter] >> Yeah, right here.
012That's fine. We got you. Um, okay. Dear members of the board of education, I'm here as a parent of a current middle school student in a co-taught classroom and as an engaged member of our district community. I would like to respectfully request that the board review the availability of co- teaching co- teach programming at the high school level and explore sustainable ways to expand it beyond 9th grade. Currently, co-e services are available in nth grade only. For students who rely on this model for academic success, competence, and meaningful access to curriculum, the transition into 10th grade and beyond presents a significant concern. Families are left wondering how supports that have proven effective for years can simply end due to structural or financial limitations. Co-eing is not an enhancement as for many students it is critical
013service model that allows them to access grade level instruction alongside their peers while receiving the sports outlined in their IEPs. When the structure changes, students are often expected to adjust to reduce support rather than a system adjusting to meet their documented needs. I understand that financial sust sustainability is a real concern for any district decision. However, I respectfully ask the board to examine whether restructuring, restructuring, creative staffing models, grant opportunities, or phase implementation could allow co-e programming to be expanded to 10th, 11th and 12th grade in a fiscally responsible way. Our district has long expressed a commitment to doing what is right for our students. Ensuring continuing continuity of services for students who benefit from co-e models aligned directly with that commitment. I would welcome the opportunity to participate in any discussion, committee work, or
014parent collaboration focused on strengthening inclusive programming at the high school level. >> Great. Thank you very much, Chrissy. Next up, Danielle Snider over there, too. >> Hi, Danielle. Thank you for coming in tonight. >> Thank you for having me. >> Um, I was told five minutes. I'm going to talk as fast as I possibly can without you not being able to understand. >> Thank you, Danielle. Very much. >> Um, good evening. My name is Danielle Snyder and I am here with my husband, Rob, and my daughter, Laya. I'm a South County grad, a lifelong resident, a parent of two children, educated in the district. I'm a teacher here. I worked in all five elementary buildings, the youth detention center. I've coordinated MTSS. I've delivered professional development both in South Colony and other districts, and I
015served as a literacy coach. I have more than 25 years experience observing how special education services in South Colony have evolved, sometimes forward, sometimes not. Tonight, I'm here as a parent advocating for all students, including my daughter, and for families who might not realize their right within the IEP process, those who couldn't be here tonight, and those who are not uh comfortable publicly speaking. We all would like to urge the board and the administration to re-examine, restructure, repair, and in this case, restore the special education program that is based on our current population of students and their needs. Um, so speaking from like legal perspective under the I um, individuals with disability education act is so much harder when you're not all five and 10. In fact, um, the IDA students with disabilities, they're guaranteed,
016I'm sure a lot of you know this, uh, free appropriate public education, appropriate evaluation, individualized education plan, parent participation, procedural safeguards, and education in the least restrictive environment. The least restrictive environment requires that students be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum maximum extent appropriate with removal occurring only when education cannot be achieved satisfactorily in the general educational supports. The New York State Education Department recognizes integrated co-e as a legally supported service model that does comply with the LEA mandate. Um right now at CCHS uh there is co-e in 9th grade only. There is co-e in ELA, math, science and social studies which by the way is more coach than they receive in eighth grade. So um it has not existed in 10th, 11th or 12th grade since CO. If a co-e program is
017determined by a cse to be the student's least restrictive environment in nth grade, what changes so drastically by 10th grade that these services disappear? Asking you guys to all ponder this with me. Have the needs of every single one of those 30 to 60 students changed or has the program availability changed? It is concern concerning to me that the service availability dictates placement rather than student needs. This is an example of how we are not honoring the individualized mandate of IDA. Additionally, this creates a gap in the continuum of services and the curriculum, a disruption in consistency, potential unnecessary movement to least restrictive settings, a reduced access to regions level pathways and graduation requirements. This is not only um at the high school. This is also at the elementary school. Um in that area, we
018have integrated co- teachers only available in certain buildings. So, some families can have a student in more than one building at the elementary level. They're asked to move um some of their children. Um and students who stay um do not receive the support they need. 151 programs are not available despite their need. This inconsistency creates systemic barriers and inequitable access to all IDA mandates across buildings. Right now, South Colony is operating from an inconsistent philosophy for sharpening learners. And I've heard there's data showing these things all work. But what defines um the success of all these things? Are we talking about regions attainment? Are we talking about independence, post-secondary readiness, long-term outcomes, parents that don't know their rights or don't complain? Was longitudinal data reviewed across multiple years and service models before eliminating co-e beyond
019nth grade? When programs are cut or limited due to the structure rather than student need, the burden shifts to the classroom teachers, ultimately impacting every student in the room. And I'm sure everyone here is aware that our the reality of today's learners, they're becoming increasingly complex. We have English language learners, twice exceptional students, students with trauma histories, social emotional challenges, disabilities, health impairments, attention needs, and I could probably tell you even more. I am respectfully requesting that the district review the current special education continuum, re-examine compliance with all IDA mandates, develop and implement a consistent developmentally appropriate K12 service model, and revive integrated co-e at the high school level beginning 2627 by reallocating staff. For example, if we reduced the integrated co-e staffing to simply uh not simply but to ELA and math with some
020support staff in science and social studies, we could um have co-e in more than one grade, at least moving on. We have the opportunity here to be proactive rather than reactive and to protect student dignity and to fix this before students fail, disengage or lose access to ed equitable graduation pathways and bright independent futures. I'm closing. South Colony should provide appropriate programs based on student needs from kindergarten through graduation. The current gap between 9th and 10th grade creates the systemic barriers that we really need to rethink. It's time to reexamine how South Colony is supporting students districtwide and ensure that South Colony is fully aligned with all the pillars of IDEIDA, including the least restrictive environment mandates. Thank you very much for your time and your attention. I have um copies of the things I
021spoke about. Um another example from a parent. I also have an email from a parent who couldn't be here tonight. Um I wasn't aware there were quite this many people. So I have 10 copies. I'll leave them with um Amber if that's okay. And >> thank you very much. Appreciate it. [applause] [clears throat] Next up, Emily Pervvis. >> Hey guys, I'm kind of in the middle. I apologize to everybody that I have back to but [laughter] Sure. I'll come over to the spot. >> [laughter] >> So, good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of many students and their families in the district being challenged by the practice of co-eing after 9th grade. Each and every year of a student's education is important. Building on things they learned previously, removing co-e
022after 9th grade puts many students at a disadvantage. While the course load continues to be more challenging, co-e is beneficial and necessary for many students with an IEP or a 504, but is also good for the students without identified challenges. Co-e can allow for smaller group instruction, better classroom management with multiple adults being available and varied teaching styles for all students in the classroom. Additionally, the removal of the coeach structure for the four core subjects and replacing it with resource room, which is not even available every day in some cases, disproportionately impacts students who are already facing learning barriers. The school district has a responsibility to provide equitable education to all students, but continues to minimize resources for this highly vulnerable population. The lack of co-e after nth grade will put students at greater risk
023of failing, being more stressed, having higher anxiety, worse attendance, and even worse yet are the students who will be pushed to a more restrictive learning environment due to the vast differences between co-e and resource room models. Just as reading support shouldn't disappear after sixth grade, but it does, co-e needs to not disappear after 9th grade. We can't keep taking away from our vulnerable students while advancing our top learners through more college level opportunities each year and in good conscience be able to say that equitable learning environments are provided for all. I wholeheartedly wish South Colony would look at this with a wider lens. We need to see the district doing the right thing for all students, no matter how big or small their accomplishments down the road may be, and have these students be able
024to say they receive the best opportunities for success from South Colony rather than some being handed the bare minimum to get them through a broken system. >> Thank you very much. [applause] [clears throat] >> Next up, Erica Blakeley. >> Hi, Andrew Blakeley. So at the start of sixth grade, I was barely passing any class. I had like 60s, 50s, not really passing. So when I switched over to co-e at the second half of the sixth grade year, I really passed. I was passing all the classes. I was caught up on reading, math, thanks to Miss Saka. And then uh so that really helped me out with co-e and getting rid of it will just like make me fall behind as like a student in this personally. I will fall behind if I don't keep coach
025teach with me because like I'm a student athlete so I want to be able to play sports but without coach I couldn't um get sports maybe because I might be failing from class if I'm failing from class I can't play so coach will help me be able to pass classes more and not me worry about um not being able to play and I used to tell my mom like I can't do this um I suck like but then once I got I did really good >> thank Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you very much for your firstand testimony. That makes us [laughter] a lot. Very good. Very good job. >> Um [clears throat] Shioban Kelly. >> Siobhan. >> Hi. >> I beg your pardon. Siobhan. >> Good [snorts] morning. My name is Siobhan Kelly and
026I am the parent of a fourth grader at Beater and a eighth grader at Lisha Hill. Many of you don't know me, but you know my husband. He's always behind the camera. MJ Kelly or Matt Kelly. He does a lot of the school photos, the district photos at all the sporting events. I'm here as a parent and as an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience in both New York City and the Capitol District to advocate on behalf of my son Aean and the present and future students of Colony. Some of you have gotten to know my son at the this year's varsity uh football games. He was the one running the scoreboard and the cameras and if anybody had questions, he was the one that everybody went to. When you have a conversation
027with him, you would see how talented and creative he is with his technology, but you would never know that he faces a quiet battle each and every day with dyslexia. I believe that South Colony has failed the students once, and I cannot sit back and watch it happen again. During CO, the district failed to provide the students in Colony with an in-depth education. I was shocked to see with my own eyes that elementary students only received 45 minutes of instruction each day while surrounding districts provided instruction in both math and ELA. I was logged on from 7:30 to 2:15 every day teaching. At this age, students brains are sponges and they're ready to absorb crucial information and learn all of the foundational skills needed for the future. Students were not provided phonics instruct instruction, sorry,
028nor were they provided with a reading program that was phonics built had phonics built into it. We all know that the units of study by Lucy Caukins has faced negative feedback as it lacks explicit foundational skills such as phonics and phenemic awareness. Because of this, I believe that my son has been playing catch-up ever since. For over four years, I have battled for my son to be evaluated. I was also told that he needed to go through the RTI or if it's MTSS now process and much more. I had to advocate for him to receive breeding support which blew my mind because if there are successful systems in place, the district would have known from all of his assessments that he struggled and would need interventions and after no progress was made then it should
029have led to a referral for a psycho and evaluation. Instead, I had to write a letter for him to be evaluated and then be told that he was ineligible for an IEP. Even though the test results supported that he was dyslexic, he was ineligible for an IEP, but he was recommended to receive special specially designed instruction to support reading comprehension and written language. I asked if he could receive the Wilson's reading program and was told no. Why are students denied the programs that will help them learn best? After watching him continue to struggle in school and having conversations with experts in the field of special ed lawyers and parent advocates, I decided to have him re-evaluated. It was not until this year that I was successful at getting him an IEP with appropriate supports. Now,
030with the help of Mrs. Sako and the Wilson program, I have watched my son gain confidence in his reading and have a better understanding of phmic awareness. I ask that the district please reflect on the programs that are offered within the district, especially when it comes to the special education population as well as re-evaluate procedures that are put in place when it comes to interventions. Why must parents constantly fight for what their children deserve in South Colony? What happens to the students who do not have parents to advocate for them? Did they get lost in the district? The students, what happens to the parents who sit in on the meetings to the Hold on, I printed him. What did he do? Oh, there we go. Sorry. What What about the parents who attend meetings unaware
031that they have the right to bring an advocate with them? It is time for meaningful reflection within the special education department. Parents and teachers should not feel helpless or fearful that decisions are not being made in the best interest of each child. Teachers should not fear of retaliation for speaking up about what their students need as they are the ones who are with our children more than any of us are and they know them the best as they see them on a daily basis for like six, seven hours. We only get a [laughter] limited amount. Our children deserve equitable access to effective educational programs and deserve a right to have teachers speak up for them. Please consider the success of co-taught classrooms in elementary and middle school. Why eliminate them at the high school level?
032Do do not under undermine sorry too old to read this book. Do not undermine our children's um self-esteem or separate them from peers they learn alongside for over eight years. Do not dismantle programs that have demonstrated success. As New York State Education Law 89 part 200 guarantees students with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. That is not a suggestion. It is the legal and moral obligations. I urge the district to recommmit to transparency, evidence-based instruction, and decisions grounded in what truly is best for students. Work with parents, not against them. Ensure that no one needs are minimized, delayed, or denied. Our children are watching. They are counting on you. And we will continue to advocate until every student in South Colony receives the education they are legally entitled to and
033the one that they deserve. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. [applause] AND that is all for the public comments. Thank you all for coming in is very much appreciated. What is going to happen now is that we're going to take all of these comments [cough] under [clears throat] advisement. There was actually a meeting today and there's going to be further discussion. >> Yeah, we've got our budget workshop coming up next week and then the first draft of budget continue to work this. >> All right. Thank you very much. We're going to continue on with the [clears throat] meeting. I would personally love if you'd like to stay and listen to everything because I think this is all very exciting stuff. But if you don't want to, we certainly understand if you would like to
034take your leave and you may do so now. Thank you all for coming in tonight. We certainly appreciate it. If there's any participation government students, you are still you still must have to be here. You can't leave without. But anybody else, if you'd like to take your lead, you may do so now. Thank you. Agenda item number seven board committee reports a academic achievement. Mr. Ke you are the committee chair. Is there anything you would like to say point out for your meeting that was held on February 3rd, 2026? No, I would just uh offer to answer any questions or have the participants that were here answer any questions about that presentation was about the high school and all the different uh opportunities there. Nothing. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much.
035Agenda item number eight, reports for information, letter A, 2026 2027 budget discussion. Miss Mallister, you are up. >> Wait for my >> connection. >> I know she doesn't like it. Um, so tonight we're going to continue our discussion of our 267 budget development. Tonight is a budget update and focus on student support services. Uh, the student support services team is here and open for questions if we need to. Um we will move on our priorities for 2627 as we've said before um academic equity and opportunity for all student sustainability programs preparation and of course graduate and enhancing our facilities next generation project. Um I'm we've hit these many times with board so I'm going to breeze through these. Um we have revenues last year's trends and uh this year's as well. Um we'll hit more
036of them on when we hit the uh the discussion on March 10th the next week's budget discussion. So um the one thing that we have to discuss tonight is our tax cap and um it is due for the state to put a preliminary number in by March 1st. So we have would like to present it to the for tonight for consideration. There are three pieces that go into the um the tax cap formula. One is the allowable ley growth factor. This is where our 2% cap comes from. Now inflation is over 2% but we are capped at 2%. That's where the uh nomenclature of 2% tax cap comes in. The tax cap also comes into play with our tax based growth factor and our capital exclusion. That is where we get our total tax levy
037um limit. So our tax based growth factor for this year is 1.0031. That is down from last year. That's our uh growth in our community. So our community um the growth in 1.0 is average among the state. So we are very average but it is declining. It has gone from you know I have the numbers there but 00077 to 47 to 77 again to 59. We're just not seeing the buildup in the in the district. Um we're kind of built out. So that's kind of where that comes from. >> [clears throat] >> Um the capital exclusion is where we have our net difference of our capital expenditures less our aid as an exclusion that allows us to levy for capital projects or debt that we have um less the eight. So anything that we have
038for the nextgen project is where we would see that in this tax cap. Now without the capital project for this year um our tax cap is about 2.5%. Um this year uh with the tax um with the capital project with that exclusion that we allowed to add we're hitting about 3.5% very similar to last year's number where we're looking at that additional 1% implementation of the nextG project. Overall that was spread out over four to five years. So that is our second year. This is our second year and we're looking at a 3.49 estimate of our levy increase this year staying under the cap of 3.51 to8 and yes it goes to four decimals. Um, and on the left hand side of the chart, we have our inflation and then our tax levy growth factor.
039So, inflation is 2.7, yet we're only allowed to use the 2.0 number in our tax cap calculation. So, this is what I will be submitting to the state uh by Friday because it's due March 1st. So, we'll submit the 3.5128 with our estimate of 3.49, but that can change as we go through uh the tax the the budget development process. But, we just have to give the state a preliminary number. So, I'll submit that by Friday and we'll be compliant. And um so that's what we're looking at. And I will um next week when we do our first draft, I'll give you all the the numbers behind that. It's about 2.72.8 million to be able to levy additional um on our $80 million um levy. So our student support services budget goals for 2627 are
040um the priorities include you know collaboration, consistency, datadriven decisions for student support services. Um aims for IEP alignment, self-contained curriculum development and least restrictive environment. Uh this the sped council is focused on state assessment proficiency, parental involvement and timely evaluations and uh trends show an increase in social emotional needs and shortage of preschool related service providers. Now, I believe that we did share out um to the board a lot of data ahead of time and the um of the student support services programs. So, if there's any questions on that as well, the team is here to for that. Um we are looking at adding a few programs back into the um the fold this year. So, an additional section of 612 at Forest Park. That'll bring our four sections currently, increasing them to five. Um
041we're looking at an additional section of 612 at uh Sand Creek. So we have our three sections returning to fourth. Um we had one budgeted this year. So we would have that go back to uh four uh for next year. It wasn't needed this year based on the numbers. And an additional second section of integrated coaching to fourth grade at Beaver Beater. We have a public group coming up from third grade and to give them availability to have two sections at Beer and this would all be utilizing current staffing. Um no additions there. Um we have a proposed classroom and support staffing. So we're looking at a full-time um ENL teacher to be able to help um at point 6 at the high school and point4 Forest Park. So we have our ENL population that
042has grown over the past few years to be able to support the high school needs in Forest Park. We're looking to add a 1.0 to that. Um and student support services needs programs. We need a TA and a monitor to support some of those programs just to keep on the radar. We a lot of times talk about the teaching, but we need to make sure that we're budgeting for the sports staff as well. So, noncross classroom staffing additions. We're looking at a full-time psychologist. This year, we had 0.5 budgeted. Um we had added that in last year's budget, but we weren't able to fill that. We're looking to move that to a full point uh uh 1.0 to fully support our ENL students. Um our behavior and we're looking to add a behavior specialist. Um
043this would be a part-time uh position to support all buildings and that is an addition that we're looking at um you know non-classroom specific but to help all students and the psychologist would allow for um Lisha Hill to have a full-time St. Creek to have a full-time and some additional staffing there. So that allows just some some more people in the buildings and then being able to move someone to just work with our population. >> Can you just speak to what does the behavior specialist do? Yes, >> we have a lot. [laughter] But the behavioral specialist would not only work with individual students on management needs, but working with staff to help implement those management needs. So oftentimes we create behavior intervention plans, behavior management plans. And so that behavior specialist will go in and
044model some of those things, uh help help to teach those things to staff, not only instructional staff, but support staff as well. and then continue to work with uh individual students as needed. Um the the goal is that as those uh you know tasks come into place and those skills are developed that the behavioral specialist is not needed uh all day long embedded in the classroom. So then they can work with other students and because it's districtwide the flexibility would be able to go to where the need is. If there's a child in kindergarten a beater that that's struggling that that staff can then be supported by the behavioral specialists. oftentimes right now we bring in consultants who come and work for us for a day or two at a time but to be able
045to embed that uh at a more daily level would be beneficial to our our students >> and this has been something that has been brought up multiple times and so we wanted we're adding it as a potential addition for this year. Um these are all, you know, once we get to the first draft, we'll see where we land with all of these program additions and staffing additions, but um this has been something that has been advocated for from the um special department for a while and um we think it's time to put it in on paper. So, >> do you guys think that it' be easier to get the full-time psychology? >> Absolutely. >> That's the goal to get that to for sure. Um so we also have uh not staffing related we have an
046increased number of um outplace uh students so we would need to increase that budget line. I'll show you that all next week. Um just some additional things that we need to take a look at when we're looking at the whole student support services [clears throat] uh budget. Um I have an update for everybody on our capital project. So, we would like to do an additional vote in May 2026. When we planned for um the capital project, the nextG 112.5 million vote in 2022, we did not plan on putting air conditioning in all of our classrooms that we were renovating. Uh we were hoping we would be able to put some air conditioning in auditoriums that we were renovating, but um with this we did decide to do that and with the new regulation for um
047heat related uh we wanted to make sure that we were ahead of that curve. So we we went ahead and approved that. Now that was an additional cost that was not part of the original scope. To offset that we would the district does have um that additional scope. We do have $4.7 million in capital reserve. So we would like to use that to offset the air conditioning and cooling. Now with that um we have a building a ratio. This is some reverse math [clears throat] here. Um our building ratio is 69.2% going into next year. Um it now we do need voter approval to use the reserve. So, while we're asking the community to support us in the air conditioning, cooling realm, we would like to be able to borrow to the full ex extent
048to maximize our aid with no taxpayer impact. Um, to borrow 13 million to be able to use the 4.7 to cover that local share. and it just maximizes and leverages our state aid to be able to get some additional work done that um we did not plan for when we originally did the uh original bond vote. So that is something that we're looking to add for the May vote. So the May vote would have actually um four propositions, something that we have not done in a while, but we're hoping that the community would support um some of these initiatives. So, we have our annual operating budget, which is always the first in addition to our um board election, which is always on the annual uh vote. Uh number two is our bus purchase. We have
049to continue with our bus replacement plan, which we've talked about in our transportation uh budget presentation uh probably about a month ago at this point. Uh the capital project to use the capital reserve and leverage that to get 13 million in um in in work done. So, that would be number three. And then number four, because we're using our capital reserve, we can have a capital reserve set up and we have utilized that over the years. You have to reestablish an amount that you can um leverage up to a maximum. So we are looking to establish a new capital reserve for up to 10 million. We do not add that right away. It gets added as we have any surplus annually. So if we have any surplus, we can go up to a new $10
050million reserve. So, those are four propositions that we're looking to add for May 19th. It is um something that we have not done in a while, but it's something that we're looking to use and leverage and make sure that we can get um maximum work done on our projects. [clears throat] >> One more time, um the 4.7 million >> would net us a tax savings of 8.3 million >> additional reimbursement. >> Additional spending power if you look at that. >> Yeah. So we can spend 13 million. We use 4.7 we currently have. >> The state will give us the additional money. So >> processing >> you're using the 69%. So that threw me off. >> I know it's not a perfect math because there are some uned portions. So we have to account for that.
051So we want to make sure that we're being conservative and making sure that there's zero no potential for taxpayer impact. So in order to do that, the 13 gives us a good comfortable number. We could go a little bit or creep a little bit up, but I think the 13 is a really good number to go for and gives us that [clears throat] opportunity to use the money that we spent on cooling so far to finish, you know, the work that >> doules our doubles our investment. >> More than it's really a no-brainer when you look at the math economics of it because you're you'd be leaving $8 million on the table the state's willing to reimburse and allow us to continue with [clears throat] our projects. The capital reserve in and of itself by
052law has to be reestablished every five years and has an aggregate cap. So as you add money into it, if you add four million and you take four million out, you're at four million. If you add 2 million more, you're now at six million. So once you get to that threshold, you can't go over the 10 million that was established. So you start a new account, basically a new capital reserve. that that point in time, the board will look at where we are at the end of this year to add monies back into the reserve for future projects. >> So, it's it's finishing one and and opening up. >> So, this allows us to finish the one. Yeah, absolutely. Finish the one and open the next. [clears throat] >> I know a lot of things
053in the news right now you read about locally is the declining birth rates and and obviously student population showing down. I mean, is is are we starting to see the trends here in this district as well, or is it just housing being such of a you know, >> TJ, we had seen that from our graduation classes of 500 and things like that in the the mid 90s, late 90s and things like that. Um, then we went down about 450. We've been pretty steady between 350 and 375. We're actually seeing an increase in numbers to our classes of now becoming about 400. So we don't see large increases, you know, 400 going to 500, but we've crept back up in terms of our total population of students, which many districts have actually seen a decline. Um,
054we've actually added some students, not not to the point where we are busting at the seams with with classrooms and things, but certainly it is a noticeable consistent enrollment. So that that's good for our district. Um, it's things you can predict and prepare, but as Mr. Calister looked at the the tax growth. We're not building a lot of new homes. We don't have a lot of increase in tax base. Um homes may turn over and new families may come in, but we're not growing large neighborhoods. They're adding 500 kids to a a district. >> We're also not growing a lot of commercial property. You know, a lot of the, you know, you drive down Route 7 and you see all these car dealerships. Great for North Colony, >> uh for the, you know, for the
055uh tax revenue, but we're not seeing that [clears throat] >> growth here. Maybe when Tesla goes up, we'll see some increase there. >> When you see some things that oftentimes Wolf Road, uh, you think all of Wolf Road is in South County. It's really from Can Creek Road towards the mall in South County and everything going north is really North County. It's it's kind of a little different in terms of where those lines are drawn. So, hotels and and some of the businesses that you think are very close to South County are actually on on the north side of of the town. Um, so we have not seen the the same commercial growth as you mentioned. >> Has there been an audit like a recent audit to compare the the property taxes north county that
056are actually in South County district like an uptake? Because lot of group seven has been built since probably the last audit's been built. >> That might need to be, you know, >> every property is assigned to, you know, either district. Now, there are like when you build new developments, there may be like there's a line where like that one house that's on the line can choose which once it's in one district, it stays there. It can't move or you have to get approval from both superintendents and the Bosey's district superintendent >> to approve to switch districts. Um, so it's it's >> the the tax map IDs are very defined and the map is >> they stay we get a request maybe once every year for somebody who purchases a house and says I thought it
057was going to be in this district versus that district and you know the same thing can happen reverse and and districts are reluctant to do that because that changes your overall um ability to to to gain revenue or to add revenue back in. So uh those lines don't change budget. >> What what what does what is affecting us too is our equalization rate in the town is declining. So that um that means property values are going up but the the equalization the assessments are the same. So that's where it may come into play. But a full assessment of the town of Colony would be a full reassessment of the town of Colony would be a huge undertaking. and some some towns have done it and it didn't go well and then they had to readjust.
058>> So, um I think the town of Colony I haven't really heard that they're looking at doing one soon. Um but that's where you look at the total assessment assessed value. So like when I have to do our calculation for taxes, we look at the total assessed value and then you look at the real property the real value. um we're about flat and that's why I expect that this number is and if I I could ask North Colony what they would have done and figure out if how it compares because maybe they're seeing some of that because the equalization rate it kind of affects >> I can tell you they've seen growth they've gone where they've increased about a thousand additional students we've seen an increase of maybe 4 to 500 >> whether they have
059more room for more development >> and residential develop some of that farmland along route two and route seven there start >> to TJ's point ours is very mature Right. >> And we've been lucky to see the growth that we have. [clears throat] I think um you know we have a development over at Shaker Road, but we have we get enrollment projections from the Caval Regional Planning Commission and those include any new developments. That's where some birth rate information comes in. So I believe that we shared that with the board of a little while ago. Um and I do have an enrollment projection chart. I will bring I'll bring it back up next week when we >> probably get more state aid than North >> when we it's about equal but when we um based on
060their enrollment it's about equal you would think I know >> our estimated foundation aid is higher than than theirs this year. So yeah, >> we looked at those numbers percentage wise >> percentage wise we're seeing >> and the 70 new homes they're building off of what fly [cough] correct >> I believe so I'd have to double check some of them might be in >> I thought they were all in >> the 70 new homes >> it's half south [clears throat] >> it is half and half all right I wasn't sure I thought for some reason I read it was all south >> we'll take what we can Yeah. >> And once those come on the rolls, that's when we'll see another, you know, maybe increase and that's where you'll see that fluctuation like the growth
061factor. >> Even the properties that like uh the uh old plant uh in West Albany, Tobin's plant, um the proposed uh hotels and apartments that were going to be there was split between South County and the city school district of Albany and things like that. So whether it's uh school services or police or fire services that that all goes into [clears throat] the difference, but it was not all in one municipality versus the other. >> Um so next week we have our budget workshop where we'll discuss the instruction budget [clears throat] including the numbers associated with the act today. Um we have a first draft total budget uh presented on uh March 10th will [snorts] focus on our instructional budget and that's at Saddlewood. everybody can join us and want a little bit more room.
062Um then we'll have another budget workshop if needed on March 31st and then we'll have our second draft um and our community forum at Shaker Road on April 14th. And then we have another board meeting where we'll approve approve uh the budget and then a public hearing settlement. Then the vote is May 19th at Kill and S Creek and then we'll certify the vote hopefully on May 26. And that is all I have for you. >> Have Have you heard any scuttlebutt about the state budget? >> It's going to be late. No, [laughter] >> we we understand that, but no other figures or anything. >> Um I was on a webinar today um with Quest R3 as a state planning office and we did an analysis of the governor's budget. We has been on a
063few of those workshops as well. Um our numbers are looking good. If we run the formula as is, the district is to see [clears throat] an increase in foundation aid. Um, which is a good thing for us. There are districts that are on whole harmless and more districts this year have fallen to harm whole harmless. Kind of to the point that TJ made. A lot of districts are seeing um, you know, steady or some declining enrollment. And with that, you're not going to going to see um or your weighted pupils where like special ed or um, ENL students have a weighted pupil rate. um we they aren't seeing those. So we would see an increase in foundation aid there. So other districts in the areas a lot of them are not seeing an an increase
064in foundation aid but um the state budget is looking if everything goes with what the governor says we're looking good now. If the legislature makes a lot of changes then it's it's up in the air on that. >> Very good. Anything else? Move forward. >> Thank you very much. >> Good. All right. Agenda item number nine, reports and recommendations for action. This goes from letter A to letter H. Dr. Harry, is there anything you'd like to highlight on this portion? Um just the donations are always one to thank uh Mr. Bonowitz for donation of school supplies and things like that. The health and welfare contracts are pretty standard for students that are receiving the health services in in some of the area private schools. And this is a way if we provide the nursing services,
065we build that to those other districts that have students there. >> Can you just clarify? There are two different numbers though. >> Um >> so we're being charged a higher rate by Bethlehem than what we charge Bethlehem. >> That that is true >> because what is the scope of services? How does that not become a wash? >> It it may be the um whether the there's multiple nurses or multiple health professionals provided for that particular school. So therefore, they break it down by the number of students that are there and the number of districts. You split it equally at that point in time. In some of our privates, we don't have a nurse full day or we don't have a nurse every single day. So, we have a portion of a nurse and that having
066more districts involved with that maybe the perubal breakdown less. Anything else? Hearing nothing. I'll take a motion. Mr. Keane second Mr. Mik on the motion made by Mr. Keane, seconded by Mr. Misik, that the above stated reports and recommendations be approved. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries 8 to zero. Agenda item number 10, personnel instructions. These can be found on pages 9 through 11 on your agenda, Mr. Rabalotti. >> U pretty straightforward business like instructional agenda from our office this this meeting. Appreciate all the coaches on here who give up their time to work with our student athletes. The majority of this list is coaches. Other than that, nothing. Any questions [snorts] hearing? Done. I'll take a motion. Mr. Casey second. Mr. Blakeley. On the motion made by Mr. Casey, seconded by Mr.
067Blakeley that the instruction personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated February 24, 2026 be approved. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries 8 to zero. Agenda item number 11, personnel support pages 12 through 14. Mr. Robani specifically just want to thank and acknowledge Nancy and Dawn for their service to the district. nearly 40 years of service working with our students and they've been great colleagues and just great people. So, thank you to Nancy and Don. I hope they enjoy their last few months with us and head off to a wonderful retirement. >> Yes, I second that. Nancy and Don, thank you so very much. It was a lot of work and effort. Certainly appreciate your service to our district. Anything else? Anyone hearing? None. I'll take a motion. Miss Giggleello second. Mr. Casey
068on the motion made by Miss Giggleello seconded by Mr. Casey that the support personnel changes listed on the attached sheets February 24th, 2026 be approved. All in favor? [clears throat] Any opposed? Motion carries 8 to zero. Agenda item number 12, resolution to declare intent to serve as lead agency and coordinate review for South Colony Central School District. Dr. Perry. >> Yes. So, in any capital project, you have to do environmental review to determine if there's an impact to um the environment, if you're disturbing grass or trees or anything like that. We had established ourselves as the lead agency for the next generation project. uh back in the beginning of the project. In order to do that, you have to reach out to a variety of agencies who may also have interest in being the lead.
069Um in this case, it's the town of Colony and New York State Education Department. We give them notice that we are interested in being the lead agency. We work with the LA group who looks at the environmental impact and work with the architects to minimize that. Um but if the the town or state ed or another entity that may be involved wanted to, they would also have rights. and then you kind of sit and talk and negotiate it out. In most cases, the state education department does not want to go to South County and become the lead agency for environmental review. Um, nor does the town. The town's interest. They're aware of our project. Um, so this is mostly procedural, but in order to establish ourselves as the lead agency, this is the notice. We
070will come back in March if we hear from these uh agencies that they're fine with it and we will establish ourselves as the lead agent. And that is really working with, as I said, the LA group to determine and mitigate any environmental concerns. Um just as an example, we looked at the property off of Walker Way a few years back. Um part of that review was what are the environmental impact and we were finding out more and more environmental issues um that reduced that property from 57 acres to 27 usable acres and then it was even reduced down further. So we we chose not to purchase that property. Um that type of thing happens here. This is specific to our transportation center the old site off of Waterly Shaker Road and we're obviously knocking down
071buildings. So there is an environmental impact, but what is that impact and and what is the the mitigation to be able to do that? Um the reason that we're doing this uh is we've adjusted which building we were planning to to demolish in the original scope. We were planning to demolish the um BC and D buildings and right now we're looking at demolishing ENF slight change in footprint in the design of the building. So that's why we're reestablishing for that particular site. probably more unique than that one. [laughter] >> It's another Mr. >> All right. This is going to uh require a roll call vote. But before we do that, I will take a motion, Miss Gigglyello, and a second, Mr. Mik. And then I will have Miss [clears throat] Lanigan um make the roll
072call, please. >> All right. Um Thomas Blakeley. >> Yes. Ryan Casey, >> yes. Stephanie, >> Yes. Jennifer, >> yes. >> Michael Kee, >> yes. >> David Ke, >> yes. >> Is excuse. Robert Vis, >> yes. >> Carries 8 to zero. >> So, tomorrow, Mr. Ryan's office, our school attorney will send letters to these agencies notifying of our tent and we'll wait to hear responses and then we'll respond back in 30 days with >> All right. Thank you very much. Agenda item number 13 is a listing on all our future meetings that goes all the way until June. I understand by then the snow may have melted and I might be much happier by then because [clears throat] this is not doing it for me. Just gigello. >> I will not be there for the >>
073April 14th meeting. Neither will I. >> That is a the Bosey's budget adoption and I believe that's the Wednesday meeting just to keep >> 29th there is it is so 29th >> and Steph there's a possibility that I may not be here because I have a conference. >> We are dropping like flies. [clears throat] >> Okay, >> we better ask somebody else. There's going to be so the 14th is something Miss Lanigan that you might want to uh pull everybody about please because right now as we're hearing it there's going to be three absences >> intentionally >> and I I think Mr. >> Mr. Lar's gone. [laughter] He'll be back. All right. Very good. Is there anything else on the regular agenda? [clears throat] If not, we do have a personnel issue. So, we are
074going to u ask to go into executive session. May I have a motion? Mr. Keane and Miss Giggley. On the motion made by Mr. He seconded by Miss Giggle to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Um all in favor any opposed? Motion carries 8 to Z. Time is 7:30. Thank you everybody for coming this evening. Stay warm.