Board of Education Public Meeting | Live Stream | May 7th, 2026

001Good evening. Okay, one moment. Okay, good evening. My name is not Dr. Chhatur. My name is Tabitha Wilson and I'm the vice president of the City School District of Albany Board of Education. On behalf of the board, I welcome you to our meeting. Unfortunately, President Chhatau is unable to join us tonight. The resident board isn't here is here in person. I'm joined tonight by Cleana. I'm so sorry, Mike. I can't see your last name. [laughter] I apologize. Thank you for joining us. As well as Austin Wolf, board member Austin Wolf Gang, board member Hassan Elmani, board member Anne Savage, board member Damis Man, as well as Secretary Ellen Creeche as well. We are joined by members of cabinet and staff. This meeting is being livereamed and the instructions to view the meeting as well as

002the link to the agenda including all the documents we will discuss are available at albonychools.org/bee. This is a good time for me to note that if you're here tonight to speak in public comment, you should sign up with Miss Timonss here to my right. With that introduction, we invite those of you who choose to join us as we stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, for one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In addition to the pledge of allegiance, we always focus our meeting by restating the mission of the city school district of Albany, which is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational

003program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. Superintendent Hawk Rider, do you have a report for us? >> Sorry. And I do. Uh, and I believe before we do our report, we're going to invite up our friends from the Albany Public Library, the executive director, Andrea Nicolay, to share with us an overview of their budget. She will kick off our report. >> Thank you, Vice President Tabitha Wil. Thank you, Vice President Tabitha Wilson. Thank you, Superintendent Hawkrider. Um, I'm pleased to be with you this evening to present the community report for the Albany Public Library and get into some information about our budget request and um and trustee election that's coming up on May 19th along with the school budget vote. Okay. All right. So, we're going to start with a highle

004summary of um next slide. Thank you. We're going to start with a high level summary of how the library served the community from 2024 to 2025. And you'll note that there were a number of increases across the board, which we're always happy to see in terms of our visitors. Of course, that's always an important figure that we look at. Um but I'll just call out a few other categories where we saw some notable improvements. Um in the intern and uh volunteer hours category, we saw 76% increase. There's a story there that I will be happy to share. Um we also saw increases in our room use um sizable increases in our room use and museum and adventure pass use. So um if we can go to the next slide um start getting into some information

005about circulation. So I know that a lot of you and you in the community out there have adopted our um Libby app which percent increase um digital content circ overall makes up a good chunk of our our total circulation and we're always looking to keep that budget healthy. One thing that a lot of people don't know about um audiobooks and ebooks that are um uh downloadable is that we have to license them and those licenses do expire from time to time. Um unlike physical books uh which we purchase and keep forever until they fall apart um an ebook or an e audio book has to be licensed. Um so we have to keep those digital content budgets healthy. Next slide please. So, we like to talk about how all of our rooms, all of our

006meeting rooms, all of our study rooms at all of our branches, all seven branches are um accessible and they are, I'm happy to say, really well used. Um we see a lot of community members in addition to the library programs that we provide in those spaces. We see a lot of community members like Lauren here who is quoted from the Ladybug Club um reserving the spaces for just sort of casual crafting groups. Um this is an important way in which library resources really under undergard the social infrastructure of the city. Um it's a place where people like to create community. I know that there's a a new concept out there called soft socializing among 20s and 30somes and how um alternatives to screen time, alternatives to movies, alternatives to some of the more tech intensive

007activities um are increasingly attractive to younger age groups. So, we're eager to support that um in any way that we can. We are also seeing a lot of study room use for Zoom job interviews because we have really strong Wi-Fi. So, people like to come and avail avail themselves of our study rooms for that purpose. It's pretty awkward to do a Zoom job interview at your job. So, people are using the library spaces to do that. Next slide. We fuel a lot of adventures throughout the Capitol region. And one way we do that is through our museum and adventure pass program. We added three new passes in 2024, excuse me, 2025. The Egg Presents passes, Madison Theater passes where you can take a family of four to see a movie for free at the Madison

008Theater and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga. So, between those those new passes and the rather large collection, it's over 25 passes that we offer. Um, in addition to the fact that you can reserve online now for the day that you actually want to use the pass, we've seen a nice healthy increase there. Um, we tripled our local history programming in 2025 as a result of some community feedback that we received saying that people really wanted to see more local history programs and we do that by partnering with a number of local organizations that you will all be familiar with. Discover Albany, the Albany Institute, the Underground Railroad Education Center, and the Historic Albany Foundation, among others. And finally, we um we offer programs through our uh maker space. And

009yes, we can we can move on to to this slide. Thank you. Stay here for a second. So, we're um a place where all growing readers are welcome and everyone's right to read is protected. We in 2025 offered story times in Arabic and Farsy in addition to regular Spanish bilingual story times and we're now offering story times in French, regular Spanish story times at North Albany. Um, and we continue to build on our children's world languages collections which are available at the Arbor Hill, West Hill, and Washington Avenue branches. So, we're interested in supporting all literacy and all growing readers no matter what their native language is when they arrive in Albany. We want them to enjoy books with their caregivers, with their families and that um encourages a love of reading in our young

010people. That then translates into as you all know very well academic success across every category later. And um in terms of the right to read, of course um we it is our constitutional right that the board is very invested in protecting and we have a number of policies and procedures in place to make sure that that protection continues and stays strong so that we can offer diverse collections to our community. Next slide. In terms of community engagement, we expanded the department in 2024 and that really paid dividends in 2025. Um, this goes back to that 76% increase in internship and volunteer hours. So you'll see on the far left um in that picture um a couple of staff are featured including Rebecca Luben who is our incredible head of community engagement um at the Washington

011Avenue uh or Washington Park um playground grand opening. These are kinds of events that our community engagement department is able to get to because we've created the department within our means in terms of we didn't have to add to our personnel budget to create that department. So, we're really proud of the programming that we've been able to do outside of the library in the city. We also have brought in an intern through U Albany to do some uh digitizing of our uh St. Rose yearbook collection and we did that with a grant from the Capitol District Library Council, which was a great um addition to our collection of digital resources. In terms of volunteer opportunities, just one of the volunteer opportunities that you can find at APL now is um actually getting inside the costume

012and being bleeer at, for example, the hot chocolate stroll downtown. And if you're between 5'5 and 5'6, you are eligible to become part of the the Bleecker roster and uh and join us at an outreach event. So, think about it or, you know, send your um 18 plus child. Um, next next slide, please. So, next slide. Thank you. I'm going to move into some budget um information now and um and get into some um some background. So, in terms of recent budget history, uh those of you who've been in Albany for a while will remember in 2007 voters approved a 29.1 million branch improvement plan to expand library services in the city of Albany. Two new branches were built, the Arbor Hill, Westill, and Bach branches, and major renovations were done at um Delaware, How

013Pine Hills, and Washington Avenue, too, actually. So, um that was a 30-year bond that's going to be paid off in 2037. And since 2011, when the branch improvement plan was completed, um the board pretty much kept tax increases for operating budget for the library quite low under the tax cap. And in five of those years between 2011 and now um there was no increase at all. So that has resulted in the operating budget for the library growing at a rate of 1.62% annually which has not kept up with the inflation rate of the capital region which has been more than a percentage point over that um during that time period. Um, there were a couple of key factors that kept us in decent financial condition year-over-year, and that was numerous vacancies within our staffing model,

014more so than we have now, I'm happy to say, and uh, favorable outcomes in unpredictable areas like non- tax revenue. One example would be pilot payments, interest income, and utilities costs. Next slide, please. So, our current financial status is that at the end of last fiscal year, we did realize a $730,000 reduction in fund balance due to unfavorable outcomes in that non- tax revenue that I spoke about and sharp increases in healthcare and utilities costs, which is something that a lot of organizations are feeling pain points on these days. And um the library is no different. So, with the proposed operating budget tax levy increase, we're preserving everything we have, everything we can offer the community now, all seven of our branches. Our current hours and services are protected. The operating budget is balanced, a

015major correction that we need to make, and future increases are projected to remain under the tax cap. So, it truly is intended to be a correction. Um, and I will say that um, our improved retention in terms of our salary has has been a good thing for the library, but has also contributed to where we where we are. We had to address the minimum wage going up between 2021 and 203, excuse me. So, next slide, please. So this is the um tax impact grid that we offer to show how um that your library taxes would be affected depending on how your homestead was assessed. So at that midpoint of 250,000 if that was what your home is assessed at, you're going to see an extra $40 on your library tax for the next tax bill.

016Um, taken together with the branch improvement plan debt service, it actually brings the percentage increase of the library taxes to 14 a.5% although the overall increase in our um operating budget tax levy is at 17%. So this tax impact grid helps translate it to dollars and cents and that's why we like to offer it um as a a way to view um and put things in perspective. Next one that uh 93% of our operating budget is tax dollars. We do not have other steady revenue sources that we can count on for library revenue. Um this is very common for school district libraries. This is not unique. So it is a major proportion of our budget that comes comes directly from the taxpayers. We have other important non-tax revenue sources, but they are variable as we've

017seen with the pilot payments. they're quite variable year-over-year um depending on the agreements that expire and that are created. So, um and it also goes to the assessments that are done and how those change. So, we do look for grant money for all of the wonderful things that grants can support. 90% of our um staff is union and um and of course subject to the collective bargaining agreement that's in place at the library. So we cannot rely on grant money for replacing salary for example or um some of our core services. So we are always looking for grants for stuff like you know programs for the digitization projects that I described earlier and um anything else that we can fund with grants. Next slide please. So, if there's no tax increase or less than the

018proposed increase, I will have to work with the board over a course of months to figure out how we can stay within budget. That would absolutely result in branch closures, reduced staff, reduced hours. Um, so those are just the real outcomes of a failed budget vote. Um, next slide, please. I'm happy to say that there are nine candidates running for our three open board seats. Um this is a pretty um awesome outcome [laughter] in my view. I I attended part of why I say that is that I attended of course the candidates forum which was just last night and was really impressed with this slate of candidates. I encourage anyone out there who um is curious to know anything about these candidates to please view the YouTube video of the uh the candidate night. You

019can even watch it at like two times speed and still get the content. Um, but it's a really good good showcase of the different opinions from all of these candidates. Um, the two top vote getters will serve uh five-year terms and the third highest vote getter will serve a partial one-year term. Next slide, please. Uh, I don't need to dwell too much on this slide. This is information you know very well. May 19th, budget vote and trustee election. Um and finally the last slide please. Um looking ahead we are uh finishing up right now a strategic plan that can guide us for the next three years. It's a scalable strategic plan and all of the plan elements are based on the feedback that we received through 1,314 surveys that we received back um which I'm

020very grateful to the community for um having given us so much good um information to go on. Um, so our consultants are busy putting that all together and the board will be voting on a new plan at the June meeting. So that concludes my report and this is my contact information. If anyone has questions after the meeting or out there in YouTube land, um, please contact me. So thank you very much for your time and I would invite any questions from the the board. We took our questions usually yesterday going once. Sorry, unmuted. Um, we usually go around in reverse order first. So, I'll begin starting with Austin. >> Oh, my apologies. Cle, do you have a question? >> Uh, no question, only a comment. That was a great presentation. Very detailed. Thank you very

021much. >> Thank you. Uh, no question, >> Mr. Elman Yawi. >> So, no questions. I do want to just always shout out the library. My family uses it almost on a daily basis. My son, uh, who's seven, loves going to the to the library after school. His founder graphic novel section. And um we've used um we've used all of the things that I think we possibly could have, but I think there are more, including going to museums and um we just love the uh services that you guys provide. I know that's very um not technical, but that that's all I've got to say. And um thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, board member Savage. Hello. Good to see you as always. Um, thank you for your lovely presentation. Like my colleagues, we are regular

022library users and so grateful to have such a wonderful library system in Albany. I just wanted to make sure that I understood the tax increase because it's been a bit confusing. My understanding is that the total tax levy increase for a homeowner is 14 a.5%. The 17 is your operating budget increase. But in terms of what the taxpayer re should anticipate >> all else being equal. And I know how the math works. Not all else is ever equal. But if everything stayed exactly the same, the tax increase, as showed on your chart there, if you just do the math, even though it says 17% on the chart, the actual tax increase is more like 14 and a half%. Is am I understanding that correctly? >> You are understanding that correctly. >> Okay. So why is

023the 17% number important for voters to understand? >> Like why are you using that number? I guess simply because that's the literal between last year's operating budget and this proposed one. >> But in terms of how it impacts my household and my budget looking forward, I would have to build in for my own planning a 14.5% tax increase, not a 17% tax increase from for my purposes. >> That's correct. >> Okay, I understand. Thanks for clarifying. >> Sure. >> Thank you, board member man. >> So, I was actually going to ask for the clarification that um board member Savage just asked for. Um so I don't have to ask that question. I just would like to say that I'm a huge supporter of the library as are my adult kids. And and what what is

024um what is uh very cool cool about the library are the passes. Um and you know families can um you know engage in some pretty neat cultural activities. Um and so um so thank you for that. for your leadership. >> Thank you, board member Creechi. >> Thank you for your presentation and your leadership. I know you've always been really hands-on doing everything that needs to be done at the library and I really appreciate your many locations and everything you have to offer. I also really appreciated the uh forum event with the candidates that was run yesterday and it was really wellrun. Since you're here, I do have a question. Not a question, but just more a comment about the way the forum is run because I've noticed it and it's a funny quirk that in

025the past I think also you've done the speeches where the first speech is alphabetically by first name and the second speech is alphabetically by last name and it's sort of if you have you know Amy Adams and then like Warren Wilson like it can create it where the same person goes twice both times. I know when we used to have live person board candidate forums, we just did completely random drawings for what order people spoke in. And I think that might be more equitable because >> just in g I and I appreciate the librarian's instinct to alphabetize things, but I think just random chance might work better. Other than that, phenomenal event and I'm so glad we have so much interest in people uh running for the library board. Also, uh, since you mentioned Bleecker

026again, I have reached out to somebody who is 5'5, has theater experience, and has wor has actually had mascot wearing experience before, who is very interested in this job. So, >> that's a niche category. So, thank you very much for identifying that person and >> and that person is actually really excited to hear that this is an opportunity. So, >> cool. Thanks. >> And thank you for the feedback about the forum structure. >> Thank you so much. And I don't have a question, just merely a comment that I'm always so impressed with with the offerings you put forth. I consider you to be pioneers in terms of the innovative practices that you do. And I think almost every year I mentioned that I really love your social media. So thank you. >> We'll keep it

027going. Thank you very much. Appreciate your time. >> Any second questions for my colleagues? >> Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Cle, would you like to give your report? >> My apologies. Um, >> uh, we I don't have a report today, but I will be participating in a presentation with Miss Comford. >> Okay. And now we will transfer to the district update and the affformentioned Miss Kumford will share highlights from Albany High School and she has some very important guests. Good evening. All right. Good evening, U board members, superintendent, and cabinet. I am pleased to be here tonight on behalf of Albany High School with our student board of education representatives. First, I would like to thank Cleana and Carmen for their service this year. Um, both of them have gone

028above and beyond with um all of their dedication to um their positions not only at the board meetings, but they have served in so many other seats um with our student government, leading a lot of change in the high school um school events that they've planned in addition to representing our school out in the community. So, I would like to present you both with um these bouques this evening. >> Um and thank you for your service. [applause] >> So, they are going to be presenting with me this evening. And I think this is working. There we go. All right. So, we always start out with our district's vision, mission, and goals. Um, Albany High School just started today on um this work for next year's um school um our school building plan. Um so, we

029always keep the district's vision, mission, and goals in alignment with our work at Albany High School. And um you can see Julia Rossi, our validictorian for this year. Um so we are um planning right now and starting our work around um our data from this year and our surveys from our families, staff and um students and planning for our next school year already. Here is um is a slide um with all of our administrators um who are um really our boots on the ground which are was our theme at our homecoming this year and operations principal Miss Candy Antinetti and um we thank Jake Blank for this wonderful photo of our um stellar team at Albany High School this year. All right. And I am going to pass over the mic for some very exciting

030news and a um very rigorous process that we have gone through in the last month. >> Okay. So, our new student board members, Charlotte Baldez and Zion Mley. Earlier this week, my fellow student board representative and I worked with some other student leaders to interview a promising pool of candidates to take over our roles as student representatives in the next academic year. While we had many students interested in taking on this role, we were able to hear the variety of goals and many of these student leaders had to share. We were ultimately determined to select two candidates who we saw to be outstanding potential representatives for students across our district. My fellow board member and I are very pleased to celebrate these upcoming leaders with our own experiences in these roles. We are proud to

031provide for any training needed for our new representatives to take our seats as swiftly as possible. Again, we are so excited to be introducing these students who show extraordinary potential as we move forward into the 2026 and 2027 school year. Good evening, Superintendent Hawk Rider, members of the board and community. My name is Charlotte Baldis and I'm honored to be the next primary student representative on the board of education for the 2026 to 2027 school year. For the next month, I'll be shadowing Carmen and Cleana, and I cannot wait to continue the hard work that they've put in for the past year with my alternative representative, Zion. I firmly believe that my job is to represent the many groups and activities at Albany High, work efficiently with the student government and the board to improve

032Albany High, and to make a positive impact on my community. I'd like to thank the interview committee for selecting me to receive this position when there were many other exiting excellent candidates to choose. I'm looking forward to working with the student government and the board to make our district a better place for everybody. Thank you. Good evening, boards of education and superintendent. My name is Zion Mley and I am excited to act as the student board represented alternative position. I want to be a voice for students at Albony High School and help make sure their ideas, concerns, and opinions are heard. I believe communication, leadership, and teamwork are important in creating a positive environment for school. As a student who cares about both academics and student life, I would work hard to represent my peers

033responsibly and help strengthen this connection between students and the school board. Thank you to the committee who interviewed and selected me. [applause] 15 Albany High students in grades 10 and 11 submitted an application to serve as student board of education members for the upcoming year. and four finalists were interviewed by the selection committee which consisted of current student board ed of education members Cleanna Burmel and me Carmen Tampona principal Jodie Commerford student engagement principal Charmaine Moore um Dr. MB um Albany High Teacher and Student Government Association Club Adviser Sean Ffit Simons and this year's junior class representatives. Thank you. And so we're very excited to have Charlotte and Zion uh represent. Um they will be shadowing um as Cleanna said um both Carmen and um Cleana for the next month so they can get used

034to the positions for um next school year. Um in addition um I I do want to really state how competitive this really was. Um we had very um tough interview questions and um every student who who applied and went through the process um really rose to the occasion. So, it was um a great process and um I think through the process as well because we have so many seniors graduating on our student government this year um I'm going to be meeting with all of the um candidates who applied and went through the process tomorrow um to try to recruit them for for student a few are student government members currently, but I I really think they'll be able to um lead student government. They really have the leadership skills. So, I think we have a

035a great um legacy to um fulfill with our our vice our president and vice president um leaving those seats on student government this year. And I I'm pretty certain Zion is um going to be running in the election next year. So, okay. So, we are going to get into some data and then um we will get into some of the fun things going on at Albany High School. Okay. All right. So, I have our demographics here for you. Um, I won't read all of this to you, but um, our general um, ethnicity, um, African-American students at 40%, Hispanic 25, our white students at 15, Asian 14, Indian um, 8%, and um, multi-racial at five, um, I'm sorry, Asian at 8, Indian at five, and multi-racial at five. Um, these have increased um, our diversity a

036little bit this year. We saw very small numbers previously. Um so and where we know that's what really makes Albany High School special. Um so um increased diversity um with our um ethnicity. Um also we have our um L's there. You can see um our population of L's is around 17%. Um our students with disabilities around um 16%. Um, and important to note there, we also have around 200 504 students in addition to our students with disabilities and then our economically disadvantaged at 69. [snorts] All right. And for our demographics to remember that our our beds data um does include our Albany International Academy and the Tony Clener Summit Center Clement Center for Education. Um so the actual enrollment at Alb High School is at the um 26 hovering around that 2600 number. Um we

037are at 27 at the beginning of the school year. um and then um 28 for the total overall numbers. All right. So this year our key indicators for our SEP focus um were our um were around differentiation and our MTSS processes. Um we really saw in our survey data for this year um strengths in our instructional support and feedback um and student learning and engagement um and our areas of improvement continued to be around um culture and safety and student experience and well-being. So we are working on those but some improvement in that student experience and well-being as well. Um, we are constantly monitoring our graduation rates and um, really on course um, with our previous rates which I'll be back in two weeks to present out on um, for our 2025 graduation rates. Um,

038so we are moving along there. Um, we continue to have a lot of our multil- language learners um, gravitate toward our citizenship academy um, mostly because they want to um, get their citizenship. Um, so we are um, working on on that number. So there's a little more um, you know, we know that our our multil- language learners take a little longer to pass those regions exams. So we're certainly working on that number. All right. And so these are a lot of our interventions that we are consistently focusing on at the high school. Um we have our MTSS meetings that we um meet weekly um for our fourmies and that includes that entire academy support structure. So, our principles, our homeschool coordinators, our intelligence teachers, psychologist, so social worker, all of that support staff and they're

039looking at data every week, progress monitoring students. Um, and then we have um intervention meetings on weekly basises with students in addition to our um interim and quarterly intervention meetings. Um, we do a daily scan skip intervention. So there's a report run every evening um for attendance in initiatives. Um we are in the midst of uh regents and mock review for um the spring right now. Um our afterchool tutoring and online recovery that's offered um all school year. And then um our ruler um lesson implementation that is um scheduled throughout the school year. Um we have seen um an increase this year. I have to report on um chronic absenteeism but conversely we are increasing our daily attendance. So um you know good news and bad news. Um so the number of students who have

040hit that chronic absenteeism has increased but um since December we have increased. We started out strong with our daily attendance um as you can see on the graph on the left um and then we took a dip in December and um we are back up to 82% now um for daily attendance um which we are really happy about. We've been making a lot of strides there. So happy to report on that. But really working on our chronic absenteeism students and so um you know those challenges um really around that are our attendance and our student engagement and um again that MTSS process with ourmies. Um it's not only themies as well. We also have a students with disabilities MTSS team that meets monthly and a multil- language learner MTSS team. So we're tracking overall um

041data as well. That increase in um daily attendance. We started daily restorative hall sweeps. So our four attendance teachers are in the moment sweeping students um and that had an impact immediately. So there they're sweeping students in the moment who are not getting to class on time. Um and we really have seen the impact of that and that daily attendance. So um we will be continuing that with that next school year as well. Um our home visits and um our operation graduation initiatives and um really trying to increase that student participation um with our school events. Here we have our advanced placement data and put my glasses on for this one. Sorry. And oh, that is on there now. Good. Okay. Um, for 2526, we've remained pretty stable with our unique student enrollment. There's a

042little bit of a dip there from 487 to 444. Um but good to report that our increase in our AP um classes and exams from 792 to 8:22. So we're doing really well there. Um a lot of you know recruitment happens there and um support in our students and advanced placement as um Cleana and Carmen can attest to. Um and then our college and the high school courses. Um you can see our current partners and we had increased enrollment here from um 226 last year to the 333 and it's pretty significant increase in the total classes attempted from 381 to 600 this year. So, we're really proud of the um work that we've done with the college and the high school um number of students taking the course for actual college credit. All right. And

043I am going to turn over the mic. [clears throat] All right. Thank you. Firstly, we have the mock trial regional competitions. I myself I am in mocktra and we had a very strong run this year. I would say we had a very strong run though we did not win the championships. It was my senior year. We are a bit sad about that but I'm very sure that how our other younger members will be ready and willing to take it up because mockt trial has been not only an outlet for me but other students to be exposed to law an actual courtroom and to have that exposure to public speaking. Okay. Um, we have also been Cleanna and I have been very very active in terms of student government initiatives this year. One um initiative that

044is quite similar to the serve Albany brunch which we'll get into in a moment was the debate for change which we had mentioned earlier in the year was um a way for students to kind of express what works and doesn't work in terms of educational systems and how we could help the school to um just be a better place. Um and in terms of the Serve Albany brunch, this was held I believe a few weeks ago. um we were able to bring in a lot of nonprofit leaders for the community to talk about centralized support systems for those who may be in crisis whether whether that be through mental health or substance abuse. So this was a very very um beneficial um event for us to be having in terms of trying to be on

045the side of change and we also had some library open events. Next slide please. Um, continuing on, um, in terms of thriving instit instructional programs, we have JROTC, fine arts, CTE, advanced course offerings, and technology. I can obviously attest to um, my love for CTE and advanced course offerings. Cleon and I are both um, very prominent with AP classes. We've had our fair run of APs. Um, I'm, as I've mentioned a lot before, I'm in the CTE uh for CNA, and being in this program has been such a great way for me to figure out where I want to be with my future. It really pushed me towards the nursing path, which I'm now going to be pursuing at Sunni Stonybrook. And, um, I mean, for me, with all of my APs, I've been able

046to complete enough credits for my school to be finished with a year of college. Um, and Cleana and I, we have been between seven to nine, yeah, credits between both of us. So, this has been such an amazing opportunity, not for not just for us, but for all of our students alike who have this amazing opportunity. Next slide, please. Okay. And our fine um, and performing arts program uh, very successful this year with Mean Girls. um are going to Proctor's for the musical theater awards. So very exciting. They're getting ready to release next year's musical very soon. Um the also um we had multiple winners where we hosted um the Capitol Region Media Arts Festival uh just about two weeks ago. So we hosted all of the um local schools at Albony High School. It

047was a very big day. Many of our students um placed and won in that competition. Um we also um our dance program continues to grow. Um our media program and um our music classes and our students at the NISMA festivals. Okay. Okay. Our increase in family and community engagement. our open house which gives our new students and their families to fully embrace Albany High and the will the weekly Falcon market access. Many students as well as myself have been able to make use of this contribute this contribution that has been done to Obi High. It gives students who may not have access to certain utilities, certain clothing, they can just go upstairs and have access to that fully. and our black history and multicultural night. I attended both the black history and multicultural night and

048it was a great opportunity for me and others to embra embrace culture and community which just directly shows how much diversity goes on in not only our school but also our district [clears throat] in terms of school culture and climate. Um it is very obvious that there has been a major improvement this year. um for student government. Cleon and I have been active in helping create spirit weeks um which has been seen a lot throughout our school this year. A lot of students have really been turning up to kind of follow the rules. We recently introduce a newer senior spirit week for as a little sendoff for seniors and it finished off with the um national college decision day. So, everybody got to rep their school shirt, which was a really nice um site to

049see where all of our peers are going to be able to go beyond and be successful. Um and for the Falcon Formalware giveaway, again, um our school has an outlet for students to check out all sorts of prom dresses, which is coming up at the beginning of [clears throat] June. So, it's an amazing opportunity. And with equity, professional development, and staff socials um to help prepare staff Okay. Um, in terms of um, assemblies, there have been a large variety of assemblies, I would say, throughout this year. Um, more specifically for the middle school visits to high school. I was able to accompany Miss Kmerford earlier this year to visit some of the middle schools in our district and talk about my experience at the high school, classes that they could be taking in their next

050year and just ways to be successful that I've really found helped me throughout the years. Um it was great and I felt that a lot of students were able to get some valuable information. Um, oh yeah. So, um, in terms of course offering assemblies too, um, we were able I we sat in for one and we were able to also, um, talk about, um, our efforts with the board. And for lunch and learns, again, u, Miss Commer recently held a student board lunch and learns, which helped to advertise so we could get our lovely new student board members. Um so yes um this has been very much increased throughout this next uh throughout this year and it has been a great way to kind of boost um community in our school. We also have our

051increased clubs initiated by students over 40 to date debate and mock trial team which I'm a proud member of the science olympiad Olympics of the visual art and morning announcements and our annual congressman tonko visit. Both me and Carmen had the luxury of going to this tonko visit because we are both members of AP government and other classes were there as well. This was a great opportunity to listen to someone who, how do I say this, who directly impacts legislation. This is our congressman. This is our public representative. And we were able to listen to him talk about his opinions, talk about the process that legislation goes to be passed. And we were able to have this opportunity for him to just come. And he was so eager to talk to us. And it was

052quite refreshing as students for us to have that kind of opportunity. And then our always growing JOTC. Um over 170 students in JOTC. Um also a very diverse group of students. Um they have gone on over 25 trips for service and leadership events this year. Um we have two seniors this year receiving the ROC scholarship. um they're always participating in their drill competitions. Um this was the first year for us in the national drill competition um and the fourth year for for Raiders. So um they're looking forward to their Memorial Day um remembrance that they they've done for years now. Um and then in June their junior cadet leadership challenge. All right. and um my brother's keeper um we are um over 30 students participating this year. Um our enrollment in that is up um

053slightly. Um so um we are really trying to instill leadership skills um and um college visits um with our our young men of color in this program. Um they do a lot of reading with the mastermind book sessions in this um and um they work with a lot of community organizations. Okay. And then student government. [clears throat] All right. So student government meetings with principal to address student ideas and concerns. So both me and Carmen personally have met with Miss Cmerford every other week to just talk about student government initiatives or just what we will be discussing and forward with the board. And she also stops in frequently on student government meetings to update our student government members on things they may not be so weary of or also just sit s and see what

054we're discussing and how we interact with each other. our no place for hate campaign and our spirit weeks that we have made an effort to establish throughout the school that we have told you before. We have tried to give our students an outlet where they can dress up and express themselves at school and our city hall field trip. Um, additionally um students within uh government are able to get acquainted with the common council with our common council youth and government um and the processes that follow during the meetings. um our suburban leadership conference, we were able to go out on a field trip not too long ago where we got to meet with uh students across other schools who had a lot of other ideas for initiatives that we could be taking as a student

055government. So, this was very great in kind of helping us move along throughout this year and into the next year in terms of more ideas we could be pursuing and youth summit. And I'll let Kiana talk about the Falcon Pass. As you guys know for the Falcon Pass, this has been in the works for a while. We established this initiative to promote positive behavior amount of amount our Falcons for them to have permissions to wired headphones uh courtyard pass during lunch as well as using their student ID as a hallway pass with as long as they have a 80% GPA and a 90% attendance. We hope that how this promotes positive behavior amongst their Falcons and allows them to be rewarded for their good behavior that how they have expressed throughout this school year. And

056that concludes our presentation this year for Albany High School. Thank you. I I would request I don't know if we can get a picture with our new members. Okay. [laughter] >> All right. >> I am going to ask because we're not all here. Are are all four going to come to the next meeting as well? >> That's that's what I was thinking that maybe we could do it when Dr. Tor is here. >> Oh, well then let's do it now. We can do it both then. The more the marrier. Okay, I will move forward with uh superintendent. >> Just before you do, I know um board member Wolf Gang has a comment. Yeah, before we move off the topic, I just want to throw out like a suggestion, recommendation, request to our current um student

057board member and alternate board member who will be leaving us soon to try to conceptualize uh what you guys have done this year, what you've improved this year, and anything you want us to know about the process or the training or anything, and put that together into kind of a report as well over those next two months as you finish out so that um when your new reps come in, we can make sure that they uh you know they're getting the training they need and uh you know we can be improving this process for the future based on your guys' experiences. Otherwise, I'll save all my goodbyes for your last meeting, but >> I don't want to my intent is not to derail the um the uh the agenda. I I do want to say

058to um Cayana and Carmen, I'm not going to be here at our next meeting. I'll be out um at a conference in Utah. Um and I want to say that um your leadership and your showing up um makes a difference and you know the world is a place that right now and this isn't a political statement but maybe it is. Um, the world is pretty much a crazy place and so and you know the world is is very chaotic right now and um having young people uh get involved in the process uh early and um wanting um to create change is uh is a wonderful thing and I hope you can um I hope uh you continue to enjoy it and um and who knows maybe you'll graduate college training school or whatever and come

059back like uh Mr. Wolf Gang, we would love to have that. So, so thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes, some uh updates and discussion topics. We heard all about the academic prowess happening at Albany High School. So, it should be a surprise to no one that 122 scholars from the high school were inducted into uh the National Honor Society. This is one of the largest uh in the history of Albany High School um topping um topping the previous record from 2022. So uh congratulations to the 122 fam or students and their families and certainly students do not uh achieve great outcomes in isolation. We also want to congratulate all of the uh teachers and support staff and school leaders that uh have been along that journey with them. So it was a a great

060opportunity to uh recognize these students for their outstanding academic achievement. Uh we have a positive athlete award. Um one of our high school juniors, Mr. Levi, has been recognized. He joined us at a at a board meeting not too long ago. Uh recognized for um his achievements both in school and uh athletics. He's one of 28 student athletes statewide that receive the positive athlete award. and it recognizes student athletes that demonstrate character, teamwork, and leadership skills. Uh he was here in March, as I as I said, he was preparing to represent um our high school students at the state public high school leadership conference. Uh he is a member of the track team. He plays football in the fall. He also wrestles and we're really, really proud that he was able to represent not just

061the high school and all of our student athletes, but certainly our entire community. >> [applause] >> We also want to remind folks that on Saturday, the tour of sharing details of our budget continue. We will be at Albany High School on Saturday, May 9th. That coincides with Spa Day. So, you can get your nails done, you can get your haircut, you can hear all about uh the board's interest in providing more transportation for elementary students, which is Proposition 2, and our $98 million facilities project proposal, which is Proposition 3. So, we'll have members of our team on hand uh in the high school library, and tours of the high school will follow uh Saturday morning. And if you can't make it Saturday, we will also be there Monday night, May 11th, 6 p 6 p.m.

062You'll just miss spa day. So, you'll just have myself and Mr. Carris and Mr. Leco um uh to uh entertain you talking about our budget, our uh interest in expanding transportation in our facilities project. And if you can't make either of those, there's uh information on our website. And I mentioned spa day. It is Mother's Day spa day in the high school. Uh from 10 to 1, uh you have an option of a number of different packages, a $25 package and also a VIP package. Uh you can sign up online and and look to see where the appointments are. You can also call the love. And over on the right side describes what the packages are. Uh we do recommend that you call or uh check out the um uh check out the the calendar

063in advance. Normally they try to take walk-ins, but I have a feeling this one's going to be a little more uh a little more busy than usual. And uh you know it's the end of the year when for the last five board meetings you talk about Memorial Day and I'll be really excited after Memorial Day is over. Uh but we are reminding folks that we are off for the holiday on Monday, May 25th and we are also closed on Tuesday, May 26th. School is in session on both the 22nd and 27th of May. And that concludes my report. >> So, um, thank you for your report and we'll begin with asking questions first of our student BOE rep, Cleana. >> No comment. Thank you so much. Board member Wolf Green. >> Uh, I have no

064questions. >> Thank you. And board member Elmani, >> also no questions. >> Thank you, board member man. >> I don't have any questions. >> Thank you, board member Savage. No. Okay. Board member Criti, >> thank you very much for your presentation. Um, I'm really looking forward to this next spa day event and I plan to bring I plan to bring somebody in my family to this this time because that's going to be really a great time to see what see everything that's going on at the high school and just really excellent event. Thanks. >> Thank you so much for your presentation and we are nearing the conclusion of the year as we approach Memorial Day. So we don't have any questions here either. This is the segment of our meeting where we take public comment.

065Thank you. The board Okay. Wonderful. The board welcomes input from the community about decisions we are making. We set aside up to 30 minutes of each meeting to hear from district residents, parents, students, and other members of our community. If there are more comments that can be accommodated in 30 minutes, which we do not anticipate today, we may choose to extend the length of the public comment period or alternatively establish a second public comment period later in the meeting. We also accept comments virtually or in the same same basis those in person. We accept comments in writing and by voicemail. We welcome comments in English and in any other language. We will also provide translation when necessary. All comments must include the commenters's name and piece of place of residence. We do not accept anonymous

066comments. All the information about these ways that you share your thoughts with us are available at the addressing the board information at our albonychools.org/bee. We ask all commenters to keep in mind that information about individual students and specific district staff cannot be shared. Not only is that a violation of privacy, but every student and every staff member deserve to know that their concerns about them will not be aired in public. Also, please keep in mind that public comment is not the best place to first alert the district to a concern you have. We ask that you share concerns first with relevant staff such as a teacher or principal. If you feel your concern is not addressed adequately, you may appeal to that person's supervisor and up the chain of command if necessary, up through the

067superintendent. decisions made by the superintendent may not may be appealed by the board. So, we do not have any um voicemail. We do have one virtual comment. So, we'll start with them. Miss Mary Nolan. >> Hello. I'm Mary Nolan speaking on behalf of the Albany CPAC Special Education Parent Advisory Council about reading. We know the district is now in the process of choosing a new reading curriculum. Unfortunately, and through no fault of our teachers. For many years, most schools in the US have taught reading using approaches that emphasize exposure to books, context, clues, memorization, and guessing. These approaches assume reading will come naturally with enough exposure. For a significant number of students, it doesn't. Research over the last p several decades has shown that many students, especially struggling readers, students with dyslexia, and students without

068strong literacy support at home, need more direct, systematic, and phonics-based reading instruction. It's not just the roughly one in five with dyslexia who are failed by unscientific approaches to teaching reading. In our own district, only 42% of our third graders are reading proficiently. Our state is one of 20 states that still lack basic literacy laws such as screenings for risk of dyslexia and mandatory dyslexia specific intervention. We have no laws requiring teachers to train in science-based reading strategies either. The result is that too many students leave school with weak reading skills that prevent them from reaching their full potential. The good news is we know what works. Decades of research have shown that structured, explicit, and systematic direct instruction in phonics and language patterns is essential, not just for students with dyslexia, but for all

069learners. This kind of instruction removes the guesswork. It gives students the tools to decode words, build fluency, and truly understand what they're reading. We're very pleased that the district is moving to select a reading curriculum align with these principles, which is important not only for general education students, but also for students with learning disabilities. This is not about blaming teachers. Our educators are dedicated and hardworking, but they need the right training, the right curriculum, and ongoing support to implement evidence-based reading instruction effectively. When we invest in that, we empower teachers and we change outcomes for students. As we adopt a new curriculum grounded in the science of reading, we encourage you to prioritize comprehensive professional development in literacy for teachers. In addition, we feel it's important to have a literacy coach in every building. Finally,

070as districts in many other states already do, we should implement early screening so students with dyslexia are identified and remediated as early as possible. When a student learns to read, it opens every door other door in their education. And when they don't, the doors begin to close. We look forward to the implementation of a robust literacy curriculum that supports the needs of all students. and we hope to speak to you at a future date about how we hope the new curriculum can address the needs of students with dyslexia. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. And our second public comment is from Stephanie Frell. >> That one. Can you hear me? My name is Stephanie Pharaoh and I have lived in Albany for over 30 years. More than 25 of those years I

071have worked for the district. across the district. I've taught everything from kindergarten to sixth grade where I currently uh am residing, teaching students. So many students, but then there are my three favorite, my boys. My 2025 graduate soccer goalie, lacrosse record holder, successful full-time working as a mechanic thanks to Alb High and Mr. Kemp. I love the CTE program. My junior just made me the best adaround deck chair for my summer vacation. I love the construction. But my youngest, I drop off at school where students get limited to no consequences for insulting adults, wandering the halls, vulgar language, throwing objects, screaming, etc. But I don't want to talk about their schools or my schools or anywhere I've been. I want to talk about the code of conduct and patterns that follow Albany. On page 15,

072it says, "Students who repeatedly substantially disrupt the education process or interfere with teachers authority over the classroom." This is typically a level one or two for the majority of students having a bad day, frustrated with an assignment, something's going on at home. But we have this small percentage of students sprinkled all over the district, all over the district, who if they were at this meeting, you would have to ask them to be quiet or sit down or stop moving the chairs around or stop walking around you or back up and give you some space. Most of them will at least be quiet. One might tell you to shut up. One might call you something degrading term that I won't repeat here. one will ignore you and keep doing whatever they want. Lucky for you, there's

073always security outside your door when you have a meeting. We have this small percentage of students who we don't want to take ownership of. Historically, in this district, there's even a preventative strategy called planned ignoring. It's my favorite one. I have three boys. I'm really good at ignoring and when to interfere. You can hear it. Some students can't be ignored. Some students can't even be spoken to. Their behavior is so disruptive, so disrespectful that all teaching, content, discussions, learning, growing, it all stops until they are removed. But then they are back for the next class. So you have to take ownership of these students. They exist and they deserve to be educated. But no one deserves to repeatedly disrupt education of the others in school day in and day out, class after class, teacher after

074teacher, year after year. When does it stop? According to page 15 of the code of conduct and education law, it's four or more a semester. We have students with 30 to 40 referrals a month coming away with lunch detention. Suspensions are not an option for everyone. So what then? Where we have historically fell short is for the students who are too disruptive, emotionally high need for the classroom, but they're not students with disabilities. There used to be a program, our TLC program at North Albany, and there still needs to be a place where students get additional guidance, instruction, and support to improve their behavior in small group. Teachers hear how hands are tied. Somewhere down the pipeline, we hear suspension numbers are getting too high. Somewhere along the way, this department starts to blame that

075department. It becomes more about adults than it becomes about students. There are a lot of people who sit in a lot of meetings making a lot of decisions and forming a lot of opinions about those of us who spend the physical day with 11 to 12 year olds. But this is not a blame game. I don't need lip service. I've been here a long time. I've heard promises come and go. Parents need to trust that the teachers and the staff will have the support of the building administrator. and when it all comes together that the district administrator will also show that same level of support. The cabinet and the board need to be on board with enforcing the consequences and the district as a whole needs to come up with more creative ways to provide

076alternate education when needed. I'm hoping to make it to the end of my 30-year career, but I know too many teachers that need there to be a change. Please let us teach. listen to us and listen to the students. >> Thank you. >> When my students this morning saw me writing this. >> Ma'am, I'm so sorry. I don't want to interrupt you. It's just that we do have a a a dedicated amount of time and you've exceeded it. We were trying to be polite. I don't mean to be rude. If you want to conclude briefly, we can take your comment in writing. >> Rules don't matter. That's what they said. Thank you. We now move to the part of our meeting we call routine consent. During this portion of the meeting, we approve routine matters

077for the district. These include items like contracts, field trips, personnel matters, and the like. Each board member reviews each item carefully, but we vote on them as a group with no discussion. That allows us to use our meeting time more effectively. Nonetheless, each board member has the option to set aside any routine consent item in order to require a separate discussion and vote on that item. With that introduction, I'll now entertain a motion to adopt a routine consent agenda. Ellen, board member, and board member Wolf Gang. Are there any set aides? Board member Wolf Gang. >> Uh set aside number three, please. >> Okay, item three name is what is that? Not the treasurer's report. >> I think it's the uh vote resolution. >> Yeah, you may need >> Okay, thank you. Any other set

078aides? Okay. All in favor of adopting the routine consent agenda lest the item set aside item three. That is unanimous. Can I entertain a motion to um inter to address item three? Board member Wolf Gang. Any discussion? >> Uh yes. I just want to give a brief overview of what we are doing here today. Um uh recently uh board member Savage and I have been looking into the uh voter roles particularly around polling places as it relates to like redistricting um that happened recently. Uh and we realized that uh the records on NTS do not align with the current uh boundaries for the city um particularly around you know where those word lines were changed. Um and so unfortunately because of where we are in the process uh it is not possible to update those

079without causing other issues to the uh voting process or potentially causing confusion for people who have already looked up their location and received the location the information we gave them. Um and then we that would be changed because of this. Uh so we have a small walk-on resolution here uh that just states that the district is going to allow people to vote either at the location that um is listed on the NTS website uh or at the location that they show up to um in recognition of that problem um and that this is a one-year solution and we intend to have that issue rectified before the next budget vote um at which point you know we'll revert to what we currently do. >> Thank you. Any more discussion? All of those in favor of adopting

080item three, voting resolution. That is unanimous. Does that conclude the action item portion of our agenda? >> Okay, superintendent. >> Yes. We'd like to welcome up our team to share with the board our 2026 summer school planning. Good evening, um, board of education members, Superintendent Hawk Rider, and our Aubony community. I'm Jasmine Brown, assistant superintendent for elementary instruction. Seated next to me is Mrs. Lynn Rutnik, assistant superintendent for secondary instruction. And tonight, we're here to present our plan for 2026 summer school programming across the district. We'll provide an overview of our upcoming programs. Um highlight some of the structural and instructional improvements based on our review of programs from last year. And then um we'll review the projected budget for those programs. So, as we do with all of our presentations, um everything we've planned

081for for the summer of 2026 is rooted in our district vision to provide equitable opportunities and engaging learning experiences for all of our students. Whether it's credit recovery at the high school, which you'll hear about, or foundational play-based learning programs, which I'll speak about in a moment, our primary goal will remain and has remained increasing student achievement, enhancing the delivery of quality instruction, as well as providing enriching opportunities for all students during the summer. So, what you'll see on this first slide um are the programs and we'll speak to the sites that those programs will be at at our upcoming um on our upcoming slides. We'll have transportation as we provided in the past. Um right now that transportation will be provided for students living more than 1.5 miles away based on um our current

082mileage and all of our programs will provide breakfast and lunch opportunities for students. So what you'll see outlined on the slide above is our projected budget for all of our summer programming. Um, currently our projected budget is $1,967,113 across all programs. Um, and you'll see that that's supported by a diverse array of um funding sources which include title one, title 3, 21st century, IDEIDA as well as some um general fund. So, with it being projected, um you know, we start based on staffing needs, um what our programs look like, and then we kind of monitor throughout the summer. Um sometimes there's adjustments in um staffing. Transportation is always anticipated, but it depends on who enrolls in particular programs. Um the last few years we've been able to to come under budget, but um this is

083our anticipated cost for all of our current summer programs. So we'll start with our youngest learners. Um our incoming kindergarteners were allocating um about $42,000 to our jump start program. We saw a great foundational skill growth last year. So, we are looking to expand our jump start back to two classrooms to double our capacity. Um, serving up to 32 students and um this year it will remain at Pine Hills. That's the building that houses this program last year. Um, this program is offered to our students currently enrolled in our UPK programs. Um and this is to provide continued access to high quality early learning experience that really support school readiness for the upcoming year. Um for this program we have identified a coordinator and are in the process of identifying teaching staff, ordering supplies and

084identifying our current eligible students as well as planning for professional development which we offer to teachers before the summer program begins. So, next on the elementary level, K5, um, our elementary program is budgeted at approximately $279,000 across, as I previously previously stated, a couple of different grants. Based on 2025 feedback and the evaluation of the program, we are moving all elementary programming to toast for this school year. Um if you recall last year we had two sites. One was at Sharon and Prep, the other was at Toast. Um last year we had planned for about 400 students, 200 at each site. Um at once we enrolled students in our regular attendance after the first week on average we got about 120 to 140 students attending each site. So though we are looking to reduce to

085one site, the seats still allows some room for additional students based on what we served last year. Um mornings feature our academic portion of the program that will not change from what it was last year. Um and the afternoon is our enrichment supported by our partners, the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Um, for this program there is currently not a coordinator. I work with all elementary APS to plan the program and then they manage the program throughout the summer with the help of support staff um and teaching staff. Currently, our positions are posted. Um, students are being identified, families are completing applications. Um, and we continue to work with our community partners around what the afterchool enrichment portion of the program looks like. Um, in the upcoming weeks, we plan to hire staff,

086um, finalize all the application processes, and provide notification to all those families that will be in attendance. And now I will move the mic to Mrs. Rutnick to review the secondary programming. So, similar to the elementary program, um the secondary program is also identifying coordinators. Um students, we're rolling out communication and um as you know, this will be my first goaround with summer programming. So, at the end, we'll um have some time for questions, but I might not have all of the answers. Um so, at the middle school level, summer programming is about re-engagement, relevance, and rebuilding momentum. The program will be serving $225 scholars supported by $217,000 using Title One funding. The program is intentionally designed to re-engage students through hands-on project-based learning that strengthens core skills. This year, we are also strategically bringing

087our three middle school programs back into a central location, which will be Hackit. And we were doing this to maximize collaboration, share resources, and ensure a more aligned and equitable experience for all students across the three middle schools. Alongside academic growth, we are prioritizing social emotional wellness, belonging, and ensuring students return in the fall confident, connected, and ready to succeed. At the high school level, our summer programming is about opportunity, acceleration, and ensuring our students stay on the path to graduation. We serve approximately $750 scholars using $610,000 in the general fund. Our high school summer program provides students with a structured opportunity to recover credits, prepare for regent exams, and build momentum towards graduation. Through targeted, individualized instruction and strong staffing supports, students gain the time and focus needed to move forward successfully. This program

088does culminate in an exciting summer graduation event on August 18th and 19th for those students who qualify, and we do hope to see you there. At the next slide, you will see that um we did outline because we are a little ahead of schedule um the structure, the administration that has been identified at the high school and um the total staff which is uh quite a bit of support for our students. We are also working through but have not finalized um how we will be able to incorporate our CTE programming to make sure that the students who are in CTE get the hours uh for the credentials needed to be able to join the workforce right after graduation. As an extension of our high school programming, we're also offered an an alternative pathway through the

089Tony Clement Alternative Education Center. At Tony Clement, we recognize that one pathway does not fit all and this offers a targeted personalized approach with a high studentto staff ratio to optimize student success rates. As an alternative high school setting, TCECC provides a non-traditional pathway for students who benefit from a more personalized and flexible learning environment, serving students in grades 7 through 11, specifically offering 80 seats with approximately $53,000 budgeted using 21 Century funding. The program focuses on credit recovery, regent prep, and grade level advancement. With smaller cohorts and individualized supports, students are re-engaged and supported in building a very clear path to graduation. Our ENL and newcomer academy is designed to accelerate both language development and academic readiness for students in their first years in the United States through targeted ENL instruction and core content

090support. Students build the skills needed to access grade level learning while also developing confidence and school readiness for the year ahead. We serve approximately 85 students in the newcomer academy using appro approximately $89,000 from title three funding. A key distinction in the ENL newcomer program is its focus on academic plus language acceleration and the pillars of this program include acceleration, language and academic foundation, access to grade level content and active participation and ownership of learning. We wanted to make sure to recognize and uplift the value and the tremendous asset that our dual language learners bring to our schools and our vibrant Albany community. In this program, we serve 60 students and and with this summer program, we have budgeted $24,000 using Title Three funding. Our summer dual language program is intentionally designed to build on

091students linguistic strengths while deepening academic learning in both Spanish and English. Serving students in grades K through five, the program provides targeted language arts instruction alongside math and literacy enrichment in both languages. This ensures that our students can access and engage with grade level content. But at the same time, this program affirms students identities and cultures, creating a learning environment where language is leveraged as a tool for success. The intended outcome is clear. Students leave this program with strong bilingual skills, increased academic confidence, and the ability to fully access learning in both languages. This program is grounded in four key priorities by literacy development, access to grade level content, leveraging language as an asset, and affirming students identity and belonging. Similar to our newcomer program and refugee academy which is designed to pro the refugee

092academy is designed to provide a structured and supportive entry point for refugee students and their families. We serve around 50 students in this summer program and have an approximate budget of $51,000 using the refugee school impact grant. The priority focus of the refugee academy is onboarding into school and the community successful transition and family integration. Our summer refugee academy focuses on helping students and families successfully transition into the Albany City School District by building both academic readiness and systems understanding. The program is intentionally designed to support acclamation into the new their new country and into the new school system. Includes it includes school routines, expectations, classroom culture, but it also ensures students are prepared for a strong start through immunization review, registration, and direct connections to school staff. Students receive foundational ENL instruction while also

093participating in community-based experiences such as local field trips that help them build familiarity and confidence within their new environment. But at the same time, we are also engaging families, ensuring they truly understand the school system, that they feel connected to our school system and are positioned to support their children from day one. We recognize and again uplift the value and the tremendous asset of our students with special needs and what they bring to our school and our community. The summer program, which is also called ESY, the extended school year program, supports approximately 125 to 150 students. And I know that's a a large dash um but we are still doing annual reviews. So um that that number will be finalized in the next month or so. The budget for this summer program is 60 $600,000

094and is funded partially through New York State education funding and the general fund. The purpose purpose of our extended school year program is to ensure continuity of learning for students who require mandated service beyond the traditional school year. ESY or the extended school year is designed to prevent regression of critical skills and support ongoing progress and alignment with students individual education plans. And I hope you can see through our presentation that the focus of our summer program is consistent. It is intentionable intentional and provides equitable opportunities that ensure every student is supported, engaged and ready for what comes next. This is how we reach each student in Albany and how we position them to thrive and meet grade level standards as well as social emotional goals to support the whole child. Thank you for your

095continued support and we are here to answer any questions if you have them. >> Thank you for your presentation. We'll begin with our student BOE rep, Miss Burmel. >> Thank you. No questions but definitely a comment. This was a really great presentation. I didn't know how many services were provided during scum during summer school. Sorry. So, this was this was a great presentation. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Uh absolutely great presentation. You answered like three of the questions I had coming in during that whole presentation. Um I guess the question I kind of want to ask is about the decision to move all of the elementary schools into uh one school. I love Toast for the decision because of where it's located, but if you could talk about why you decide

096to go with one master site versus like multiple smaller sites around the city. >> So, part of it was the review from last year. Um, fiscally, it made the most sense. Um, toast, we tried to be very deliberate about the location within the city. Um, also, Spa has not been without summer program for a very, very, very long time. um and they are in need of some building love for the summer. Um we know that transportation is going to increase. Um but we know Tulsa also has opportunity for some field trips that also don't cost us cost us much money. Um and we're working with our enrichment partners now to make sure those are maximized. Um but when it came to just looking at enrollment too for last year um it just made sense to

097condense it um just to share the resources. Um and even though there's a reduction in some of the sections that we're going to have, it still provides the opportunity um for the same spots actually in addition to what we were able to serve last year. >> Thank you. Just a small followup. >> Mhm. >> Uh will we be providing transportation to those students and do you know if that would fall under the 1.5 or one mile if we do? >> So I'm not sure if it's going to switch. Right now it's 1.5 um miles, but I I know with the upcoming change I believe there will be a possibility, >> but we will do busing over the summer for that. >> Yes, we always do busing over the summer. >> Okay. I didn't know that.

098Thank you. Almost set. Thank you, Mr. Mowi. >> So, I'm curious um I might have missed it, but do we have uh comparisons from the last year or two in terms of budget like spent? >> Yes, we can >> on the f on the um that was just my question. I'm I did not see it, but um if it's there, I will look at it. >> So, we can get that to you. It is not a part of this presentation, but we absolutely have that. >> Gotcha. Are we like way less than previous years this year? >> So, I can only speak to elementary. Um, we last year budgeted for just under 500,000 for the two elementary sites um and for Jumpstart and came in at I'm sorry, I have it in front of me

099somewhere. We definitely were under we were under budget last year um for elementary and what's not in here is our STEMistas um but even with the STEMistas program um we were well under budget last year >> and I know uh consolidating the middle schools into one um was a significant savings um I want to say $100,000 but it could be more. it is a little bit more. Um, again, it was the utilization of the summer school and how it's staffing and how many students actually came. So, that was in the decision-m. >> No, I'm glad we're looking at previous years and making adjustments based on what we found. So, that's I'm I'm pleasantly surprised we're spending less and doing the same amount. We were at approximately 466,000 um for the elementary programs >> this year.

100>> Last year. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Ki. >> Thank you for the presentation. I think it was really helpful to see how the different programs compare to each other. And I was surprised and impressed to see the dual language program, which seems pretty large, as well as the um Tony Clement program. Are those new or are those new summer programs this year or are those been going along and I just noticed them somehow this year? >> I would say they're not new because I uh because I asked the folks to help me um update them. So I'm I'm pretty sure that they went on um as well as last year. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. No more questions. >> Thank you. Board member man. >>

101Board member Savage. I could pretend to be board member man, but I can't do a very compelling job. Um, so thank you very much for the presentation. Summer school is always an exciting time. I have like as always a lot of questions, but one thing I wanted to um acknowledge was the immunization review you talked about as part of the um the uh newcomer program. So that sounds fantastic. I know we had a real challenge this year in getting our folks um immunized for regular school. And so I'm wondering if that's new or if that's a standard. And if you don't know, that's also fine. we can find out later. >> So I would say it is not new. Um we normally start towards the end of the year with our nursing staff and our

102HSC's and um so it goes throughout the summer. It's just really been a focus for AIA as I know you've known with some of the numbers um there that it it is definitely a main focus of that particular program. >> Got it. And um I did once have a late vaccination for one of my children. So, I am very well very well aware of how um persistent the district is if you miss your um vaccination. I do have another question, but I can wait for another round. Um can you talk a little bit about the selection for K5 and how you choose which students to include in that program because I'm sure there's more demand than there are. So we start um primarily with our NWA data and we look at the students who have

103had low achievement, high growth is where we start um and once we kind of go through that and we've either not filled the seats um we start to generate a weight list which is primarily teacher recommendation. Sometimes we will get families that pop in the building and inquire and they may not be a part of the initial kind of targeted um student pool that we start from. Um but we'll keep their information and we normally end up going to um the weight list after that. So >> So the overall vibe is momentum. You're trying to catch kids who have momentum and keep them going. Okay. >> I have one more. Do you want me to wait or >> Oh yeah, go ahead. Thank you for your presentation. Um I appreciate that there's so many variations

104of summer program and enrichment activities going on in the district and that we maintain connection with the students in the community throughout. Um a question that came up when we did present at the Albony County Council were questions about prek and if we do any um emphasizing or prioritizing of students coming from economically disadvantaged areas and how we address that. So, I was just curious um if that factors into our program for the summer, too. >> So, right now um not necessarily. Um it is really based on teacher recommendation um and the readiness of students throughout our prek program. We have not drilled down to economically disadvantaged students. We can absolutely take a take a look at that. Um we are excited this year to be able to increase back to two classrooms. um you

105know that our program last year we we were able to fill all the seats in that class last year um so our early childhood staff is excited to be able to get those spots filled but I can absolutely talk to Mrs. Sanchez Gale about that um because we are still identifying students currently. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> We can do our second questions. Anyone? Okay, Miss Savage. >> So, first just a quick comment that I happen to be in the Toast community the other day and I was taking a walk. Um and man, the new walking paths behind Toast are the bomb diggity. So awesome. Um, there's a lovely labyrinth and also when you walk down to the labyrinth, if you just keep on walking, you just like end up at the Lincoln

106Park pool. So, it's pretty darn great. Also, weirdly, there's no gate at the top, but at the bottom there's a locked gate because they're not quite done with construction at the bottom, but you don't know that when you're at the top. So, it's a little bit of a funky experience. You discover you've been slightly trespassing by accident. But, it is beautiful. Um, I did want to ask about uh high school programming for first time credit. That's been something we've experimented with often on over the years as opposed to for recovery. Do we are we offering high school programming for first-time credit and not knowing the answer is always permitted. We always take things by SPU after if you're not sure. >> I don't know the answer. >> Excellent. We'll wait for that for SPU. I

107mean, in some years, we've had, you know, health, for example, is one that I know a lot of kids um are encouraged consider strongly taking as a first-time credit over the summer because then it frees up a whole period the following year because they don't have a half credit class that's like sort of jamming up their schedule and preventing them from taking a full credit class. So, I don't know. It It's nice if it can be done. >> I can find that out for you. >> That would be fabulous. Um, thank you so much. I'm just looking to see if there's anything else. Oh, the jump start program. Seems like if you had more money and more seats, you would be able to fill an almost infinite number of seats, right? That's a thing. That's

108a money. >> I wouldn't say infinite, but if we had I'm going to say four classrooms, we could probably fill that. >> Okay. So, that's something for you know, as we think forward because it's I know the the need for care for um you know, little littles is very much needed by working parents and it's great if they also learn while they're being here. Thank you. And if there are no further questions, thank you so much for your presentation. Thank you. Absolutely. Hello. >> Good evening. So, I'm going to do a quick update on our budget. Um, this is what we are have been presenting to our community uh throughout the last few almost months. Um, so let me start with uh As always, we keep our district vision, mission, and goals in mind as

109we create the presentation and our budget and how we present to our community. Um this is a slide that we have presented multiple times but this is what the budget supports. Our full day prek in all our elementary schools, our magnet schools and four buildings, our band choir orchestra starting in the third grade which is unique and great for the district. Um we have our community schools, our newcomer program and our we also have our social emotional supports for our students. Uh we transport about 6,500 students in grades K12. Proposition 2 will add 450 to 500 additional K5 students um if approved for next year's on a ballot. Um we have our marching falcons. We have our 67 athletic teams um including three unified teams in partnership with our Special Olympics of New York and

110intramural programs for students in grades 7 to 12. We have our CTE programs, our JOTC programs, a lot of great things that you saw earlier in our presentation for Alb High School with our students presenting. So that's just a great um thing for our district. Our as you can see our superintendent has always talked about our graduation rate, our gains in three through eight exams, decrease in absenteeism, um increase in AP, growth in AP enrollment as well, our gradu graduation rate in CTE, uh three times increase in CTE participation. So in our budget, we maintain our program programmatic and extracurricular offerings. Um, we continue to invest in academic and social emotional support for our students. We are asking for a 1.22% tax levy increase uh for Proposition 2 essentially, which is the child safety zones.

111This is the ninth time in 11 years that the proposal has been less than 1.4%. Our average is8 over the last 10 years. Um, we did get a significant aid increase in foundation or I'm sorry, significant foundation aid increase from our state of $18.6 million. We are also investing 14.1 million out of our fund balance and reserves. This is a nice chart to show the tax levy history for the school district since 201617. Uh, this chart here is our staffing ratios. This is something that we always keep in mind as a district and cabinet as we build the budget to did not transition or to move too much of the ratios within our unions and our staff and our students. This chart here we have our general fund expenditures for the upcoming school year as

112compared to this school year. So there increase from $342 million in this school year to $371 million in the upcoming school year. This is just strictly our state aid. You can see the differences in the different uh components there. Um here is a breakdown of of our revenue. The property taxes inclusive of the 1.22% tax levy increase. You can see it is going up to 1 point I'm sorry $124 million. You can see our state aid and our other revenue sources. This one of my favorite charts or graphs. You can see how in the last 10 years um the district is more reliant on state aid as compared to our um community members and our taxes, our property taxes. You see in the upcoming year we're looking at 34% of our budget is coming from

113our taxpayers as 57% will be coming from our state aid. Uh this is in comparison to 2016 201617 where 49% of our budget came from our community members on our property taxes and only 42% came from state aid. So if our budget is not approved, uh the board has three options. You could put up the same budget. We could present a revised budget for voter consideration or adopt a contingency budget. If it is a contingency budget, we would have to reduce roughly about $1.8 million of the budget. Um, but we would also there are areas that we would have to uh restrict if it was contingency budget where our community groups would have to pay for building use. We would have to make specific cuts and uh prohibit spending on student supplies. on the ballot

114is Proposition two, which I referenced a little bit earlier about the child safety zones that we'll have I'll give a little bit more information in just a minute. And we have Proposition three, which is our capital projects uh that we would like our community to approve. Um so Proposition two, we are expanding our elementary transportation. We are asking our community to do so. It would add 450 to 500 students to our transportation. Um it is taking our students that are between one mile and 1.5 miles and getting them a seat on the bus on the yellow bus. So the cost on this is that 1.22% tax levy increase which the following year we will get 8% I'm sorry 80% aid back for that spend. So let me just go back. So essentially in two years

115the cost would only be $32,000 to transport the additional students. Proposition three is our capital project. Um it's about energy efficiency, equity and large space, safety and security for our buildings and our students and infrastructure improvements. You can see the breakdown here. There's no impact on taxes as based on some of our capital project reserve and our um grants that we have gotten for the district. Here's a breakdown of the costs. For more information, go to albonychools.org/budget. Um on the ballot as well as the board of education election, there are two seats. Uh there are three people running for the two seats. uh Gwen Lee, Serena White Lake, and Tabitha Wilson. Um there will be a virtual meet the candidates night uh for through the women's voters of Albony County on May 18th at 6

116p.m. Uh earlier we saw the presentation from the Alb Public Library. Uh, so inerson voting, we have 15 locations citywide on Tuesday, May 19th. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 900 pm. Um, if you have any questions, you can call our board clerk at 518-4756015. We still have the early voting by mail. I just needed to check the date quickly. Um, but May 12th is the deadline for requesting an early voting ballot to be mailed. Um, so if you have any questions, reach out to our board clerk at 518-4756015. Here is our upcoming budget calendar. Um, you see, as the superintendent said earlier, Saturday, we have our uh presentation at the high school. Uh we also have that on May 11th. May 13th we will be at the Hudson Park Neighborhood Association. The 18th

117is the League of Women Voters of Albany County for the board candidate forum. I think there was one more on Tuesday at 9:30 that we just got right. >> South Community, >> the the South End Community Collaborative. Um and again, the vote is May 19th. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Any questions? >> Thank you. And we'll begin with our student BOE rep. Clean. >> No comment. >> Thank you so much. Board member Wolf Gang. >> Uh, no comment. >> Board member Elma Yawi. So, this is like the seventh time we've heard this. So, um [snorts] I'm glad we're um absorbing it and um I have no further comment. >> Thank you, board member men. >> Um board member Savage, >> no questions for the same reason. Um, I would love to

118get a followup when you have a chance to know that we would be able if Proposition 2 passes and the budget passes to deliver on the question around summer school transportation for uh whether we'll be able to just get the um operational change made in time. I I think it's pretty clear that it would be fundable because it'll be in the next school year. >> So, it would apply, but just operationally, will it be possible for us to to pull that off so quickly? >> Definitely. Thank you, >> Board Member Creech. Thank you for thank you for your presentation and I hope that this is the last time you'll give a budget presentation. Well, I guess this has to be the last time. Hopefully, we'll know more definitive answers about our our funding from the

119state soon. Thanks. >> I really appreciate you doing this work and I know it's not easy to do it, especially with that level of uncertainty. So, thank you. >> Thank you. And I'm trying to recall if in past instances that the way the ballot will look like the resolutions are available in advance or is that only seen on the day of the election? >> So I know that we have the ballot already created because we sent out the absentee and military I believe. So it is created. Um I'm not sure if there's a way to post it online but we can look into that. >> Yeah that they do that for the county. So I think that's a great idea. Good, good thinking, Miss Wilson. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you so much. >>

120Thank you. >> And so that concludes the presentation portion of our meeting. We're now moving into committee reports. No, >> have any committee reports? So, the facilities committee has not met um since our last meeting, but we do have a meeting this Tuesday, the 12th. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The policy committee will be meeting this coming Wednesday. That's a change of date, but uh this coming Wednesday, the 13th, and it's May, so it will be the meeting in which we go over the annual code of conduct. So perhaps the most exciting meeting of the year and that is open our all of our meetings are open to the public if anyone would like to come observe. Thanks. >> Thank you. And we have other business. >> Um yes, we have some other business. This

121meeting will mark the last schoolboard meeting from Kate Fe, our HR administrator. She's been in the been [clears throat] with the district a little more than three and a half years. And earlier today, we had a little celebration for her at Academy Park. And um we're able to recount all of the uh exciting times she had in the HR office uh redesigning it and rebuilding it and um coming into the district at a at a time of some turnover. um certainly in the HR office, but uh I know on behalf of our cabinet colleagues, I want to extend my gratitude and my thanks to Kate for um really stabilizing um that side of the house. Over the last number of years, we've included uh HR updates monthly at um uh during our superintendent report. you

122heard during uh one of the academic reports last month in April um that we are fully staffed in a number of our uh content areas which is a a really important endeavor and as I said earlier today to the group um you don't often get an opportunity to uh uh to work in a place and have some different experiences and go home but Kate has a unique opportunity to return to higher education which is education nonetheless but a certainly um a different uh flow uh different set of priorities and a different uh kind of uh problem set of problems that she'll be asked to solve with her colleagues at Empire State University. So, uh on behalf of the board, Kate, we have um a card and some flowers for you and we wish you well

123and we hope that you come back and and visit often. But now that now the mic is yours and I'm a little nervous. I'm a little nervous too because I wasn't planning to say anything but um I mean all I can say is I have loved working here. I have loved this place. Um I've grown so much as a leader. Um and I I feel privileged to have had this opportunity. And I also I said earlier today, I feel really confident that I have left at least the human resources office um in a much better place than than how I found it. Um, and I think that's going to do, you know, that that's going to bode well for the district. And I'm also very confident in Imran's capable hands taking over where I left

124off. Um, so again, I'm just I'm really appreciative that I've had the opportunity to be here. I wore my Albany blue because it it means so much to me and I have um every intention of staying connected with the district. Um, there will be opportunities in my new role. may be limited but still some opportunities for me to be connected to the work that we all do um as we're trying to build a partnership between Sunni Empire and um the district as far as you know getting um the grow your own program off the ground and getting folks certified as teachers and teaching assistants. So to the extent that I can continue to be involved in that I will be. So thank you so much Are there any other business items? Seeing none, I would

125like to motion to adjurnn. That's member Wolf Gang, member Savage. All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you all so much.