[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6311010,"mediaKeyId","2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844","parentId",2397084,"title","Superintendent defends music scheduling process, says district achieves roughly 93% conflict‑free student schedules","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",253000,"endMs",379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844&start=253&end=379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844/thumbnail_253000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311010/New-York/Superintendent-defends-music-scheduling-process-says-district-achieves-roughly-93-conflictfree-student-schedules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311010-bc0c0c61e769b1fd337821f078ec8e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1773353274&Signature=Gvfa91SawepfhqVf8KnSQmIxlfRSmUbnYt4sUE9lslohpnM~iMYj1TuYDKrNjumq2i35OlJ2ka-Ybw9iU-4LCfFiW23sBH4h3pdcv~70yZKDUuoLNFES9W6v5ABQw3zgXlz9Vx6TQHglF4E5rIrtOzDa30BqNecCi~tiqhGWL7zXFUtpkGBvc1Y06XbqxUWlfnFLnt9VmeOWpesbbb2QqCL9DgSxdOmxgGrZzvJhenJf53Slf1Llhu~OCrj5P~57RbZPLQwBZzw7ZskmZWyDP6CH~pqZbgp9OREnPonZKvJHoy7yNs6NTmRsaDa69XpegrMLmAuLkqrXssxGelo2Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T13:35:22.453Z","article","The superintendent and scheduling staff used a public response read into the record Feb. 24 to address community concerns about access to instrumental and vocal music courses. The district said size, course “singleton” constraints and student choices — not simple scheduling priority — explain most conflicts and that staff work each year to maximize placements.

The central point of the response, read by the superintendent and attributed to scheduling staff: Averill Park offers many honors and advanced courses only once in the master schedule; those “singleton” courses reduce flexibility. The statement said the district builds schedules using metrics and iterative adjustments to minimize conflicts and that when the schedule is locked about “93% conflict‑free rate” is achieved, meaning roughly 93 percent of students have no scheduling conflicts and the remainder are hand‑scheduled.

Staff also provided historical participation figures for the instrumental program: before COVID the district had “well over 50 students signing up each year for band,” and last year that number fell to about 30, a decline staff said reflects lower youth interest rather than scheduling policy. The district noted counselors and teachers sometimes use solutions such as half‑block options, independent study, moving some ensembles outside the school day and targeted recruitment of middle‑school students to build larger high‑school ensembles. The superintendent said staff will continue to seek ways to maximize student participation in music while “keeping the student's experience” as a priority.

The board accepted the written explanation and thanked staff for the detailed response; the superintendent said staff will keep monitoring enrollment and schedule metrics in coming years and report back as needed.

Ending: The response closed with an acknowledgement that some individual students will still face conflicts because of the district’s course offerings and size, and with a staff commitment to continued recruitment and scheduling work to minimize those conflicts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Averill Park CSD BOE Mtg. 2/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The superintendent read a prepared response Feb. 24 explaining why some students cannot enroll in desired music courses and described the district’s scheduling process and conflict rates.","taxTitle","AVERILL PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38758,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6311015,"Averill Park projects $1.6 million budget shortfall as state aid rise offsets by health‑care cost spikes",533,1192000,1725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844&start=1192&end=1725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","/articles/6311015/New-York/Averill-Park-projects-16-million-budget-shortfall-as-state-aid-rise-offsets-by-healthcare-cost-spikes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311015-4f161f6e93d94cf5c258aedde6086848/orig.mp4?Expires=1773353274&Signature=WyUy6Lwi8Bc-BPIu0asOyjIsMu6ZZ2hL1c1BzNDHJx-omUDToZ~lJgi-XJXJDEZFgayP25hSOvxXs265vd-Bp5Nf9wEkuHzwWOHMncofZde93A0HC5XHQYfcpwjDGLILDYQ-95s2lUldisEeaaov10zKpFExe2lP8pGtCEAh~5qhauzSTDh~Yt4cjCRIWvOngQ9JKtZy68Kxjv3P9T1o41oKRVpBZX2ysrjYKXcWWhdXKto-~Nup1iQMLxbzHnA9k7tl3XtcchBBgMmQpwf1UNDVKc2MCAqBRPuJSeWHm9kTyHdH-N0EORQarYgP4Zba6jyLK0jRluKTgl8THnVR~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Averill Park Central School District officials told the board Feb. 24 the district expects a notable increase in state foundation aid for 2025–26, but that nearly all of that gain will be offset by rising health‑insurance costs and other mandatory expenses, leaving the district with a continuing budget shortfall.

The superintendent and district finance staff presented initial budget numbers for 2025–26 and walked the board through changes in the foundation aid formula and the district’s tax levy limit. “Under the current law, we’re about $5,600 per pupil for foundation aid. Under the governor’s proposal, that jumps about to $5,900, increase of $250 per student,” said Carrie (staff member), who led the finance presentation. The district’s pupil count used in the formula is 3,229; Carrie said the governor’s proposal would increase the district’s foundation aid by about $1.1 million compared with current law.

Why that matters: the superintendent and staff said health‑insurance premium increases alone are projected to add roughly $1.3 million to next year’s costs. “Our spend right now for health insurance is about $11,000,000 for the district,” Carrie said; she added that commonly quoted carrier rate increases for the district are near 10 percent, and district average costs per plan run about $12,000 for an individual and $31,000 for a family plan. The district projects roughly $1,300,000 in additional health‑insurance spending for 2025–26, which staff said largely offsets the projected foundation aid gain.

Other drivers include a roughly 1 percentage point increase in employer retirement rates for state pension systems (ERS/TRS) that the presentation showed would cost about $162,000 next year. Carrie walked the board through tax‑cap mechanics and the financial effect of the ongoing capital project, noting the district is mid‑project on a roughly $28.5 million capital program and must choose whether to issue a bond or a short‑term BAN (bond anticipation note) for permanent financing. The staff recommended issuing another BAN for 2025–26 and seeking permanent bonding in 2026–27; the district’s analysis shows a bond next year would add about $1,000,000 in principal/interest versus a one‑year BAN because permanent financing spreads principal and interest over 15 years.

The recommendation on reserves: staff proposed keeping the same strategic use of fund balance and reserves as in the current year — roughly $2.6 million — rather than increasing reliance on one‑time funds. The superintendent emphasized that even with the governor’s proposed formula changes the district remains in a multi‑year structural position that depends on choices about the tax levy, capital financing and use of reserves. “If we were to get more state aid, the in general, the recommendation would be don’t spend as much as our reserves,” Carrie said, describing how any extra aid would be used primarily to reduce dependence on reserves rather than to expand recurring costs.

What’s next: finance staff will return with a recommended budget and a list of proposed reductions and options. Staff framed the presentation as an early look at numbers and emphasized the budget calendar: recommended budget, a public discussion meeting, and then formal adoption at the statutory adoption meeting.

Clarifying details in the presentation included: the district’s projected pupil count of 3,229 used in the foundation aid formula; the projected foundation‑aid increase of about $1,100,000 under the governor’s proposal; a projected health‑insurance increase of roughly $1,300,000; and a proposed continued reliance on $2,600,000 in reserves.

Ending: Board members asked for updated scenarios as numbers are refined. Staff cautioned that the final state budget and timing can change the district’s picture and said they are planning to present a recommended budget at the next scheduled meeting so the board can consider cuts, levy choices and reserve use.","Averill Park Central School District officials told the board Feb. 24 the district expects a notable increase in state foundation aid for 2025–26, but that rising health‑insurance costs and other fixed expenses will leave a continuing structural shortfall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6311013,"Board declines to add girls varsity flag football for 2025–26, citing budget and limited sustained interest",2815,816000,3631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844&start=816&end=3631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844/thumbnail_816000.jpg","/articles/6311013/New-York/Board-declines-to-add-girls-varsity-flag-football-for-202526-citing-budget-and-limited-sustained-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311013-3c7e4620d61d2f2e5aa950b25b337877/orig.mp4?Expires=1773353274&Signature=bMiYbRhtKzLfvtXyiFtmUcH9Qm0AC0mNiBOl3L9WRTTbwDFt5uRPi4FtPgEe9XlJshqKB8NDQmDDcu0297q2ZhB2XM5ZguImxcSaa~97ApGzlgDiqOqDtCVzebVFLYeg0lkosV2BSZqKmPk1~PXLuw4Oy7Wht-8mviP-O5p6jAcuQQ69hUdENHNJnotBjUV~PaXET9-IOEjrC38fjcPgLOZfIvLN72kiiNA0IKShyVr2HaJxvMvZOSYNu2TQ~qLRyYwZja83xfveBcKiFpAIfEOPvsNgPGBSngeYNEJeE06-sI2MbreNxauuzc3-xHK1BUuYCr0jSogsjX3LAmrdcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and community members urged the Averill Park Board of Education on Feb. 24 to add girls varsity flag football beginning in 2025–26; after public comment and staff review the superintendent recommended against adding the sport for the coming year and the board approved a resolution reflecting that recommendation.

Public comment began with Michael Grady, who identified himself as a fifth grader at Miller Hill–Sand Lake Elementary and described his participation in girls flag football programs. “I want every girl to have the opportunity to experience the joy and confidence I have experienced being a flag football player,” Michael said during the agenda comment period. Adam Muse, who identified himself as a district resident and the head coach of the Averill Park junior girls flag program, told the board his local youth teams had 42 participants this season and asked the board to add a high‑school program so those players would have continuity and competitive opportunities.

Staff review and recommendation: the superintendent reported that the request had been processed according to district policy that evaluates student interest, competitive sustainability, Title IX compliance and cost. Staff said the district’s survey and other data did not show strong, broad interest at the high‑school level; staff also warned adding a new spring sport could reduce participation in other existing girls’ spring offerings and carry recurring costs at a time the district is planning $1.6 million in budget reductions and relying on reserves. The superintendent stated the formal recommendation: do not add girls varsity flag football for spring 2025–26.

Board action: the board considered and approved a resolution reflecting the superintendent’s recommendation that flag football not be added for 2025–26. The resolution text, read into the record, said the district reviewed the request received Nov. 16, 2024, and concluded the district would not add flag football at this time, citing the lack of strong student interest, potential negative competition with existing spring girls sports, Title IX/compliance context and budget constraints. The board’s motion to adopt the recommendation passed; the board chair stated the vote was unanimous.

What the district said about future reconsideration: board members and staff repeatedly said the decision was for the coming year only and could be revisited if participation, funding or other conditions change. Several board members expressed personal support for the idea in principle but said they could not responsibly add a new recurring program while facing multi‑million dollar budget pressures.

Ending: Board members encouraged continued community outreach, improved student and parent communication about surveys and recommended revisiting the request in a future year if the program’s feeder participation and budgetary conditions warrant it.","Public commenters asked the board to add girls flag football as a school sport; after staff review and a recommendation from the superintendent not to add the sport for 2025–26 — citing limited sustained interest, Title IX considerations and budget constraints — the board adopted a resolution not to add the sport for the coming year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6311001,"Votes at a glance: Averill Park board approves minutes, consent agenda and multiple policy updates; declines to add girls flag football",384,3132000,3516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844&start=3132&end=3516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6311001/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Averill-Park-board-approves-minutes-consent-agenda-and-multiple-policy-updates-declines-to-add-girls-flag-football","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311001-8133b8e1dfd7b333260d9b2fd2761a38/orig.mp4?Expires=1773353274&Signature=TiyZUI3qSHevLPZSzBbSCpbu~9Syl0TvIL2T5SwIOZtwequwTflyhHExkI9II~VKSzkFjSLFrCHw77vQX0Tfk9DQZgAITrMYdA4LVxNOMeBtq13S0N8HmVkUVixLF2drkq3Dld-lG-xbnCWj1NindJxscdyqsAEdNPHZvH5sdxS8EJun1s0EWns37eTnoVz~p-LGJQNPFqaUcqMPVbVR0p4HchKdl9lj7z3OMyla5WqnfUApIhG1xdE2bMpHzKew8MsmmkyqYLM--dKfVhs~LsBNcYSPi1sbh~lk97mi37gMK5Rs~RuV0OxY2fVqQOoMdrzjYy3~WZ7JK8y7by5obw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Averill Park Board of Education took several formal actions Feb. 24 during its regular meeting. Key votes recorded on the agenda included minutes approval, consent agenda approval, acknowledgement of a retirement, a construction/contract change order, and adoption of policy updates. The full list below summarizes each recorded action as read into the record at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes, Feb. 10, 2025 meeting — motion moved and seconded; passes with unanimous votes and one abstention recorded for the minutes vote as noted in the transcript. (Outcome: approved.)

- Approval of the consent agenda (business and special education items 6, 7 and 8) — motion moved and seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda. (Outcome: approved.)

- Acknowledgement of retirement (item noted in consent): Sharon Smith — board acknowledged 30 years of service. (Outcome: acknowledged.)

- Change order in district’s favor (item 13a): a $10,000 change order credited to the district was accepted by motion and vote. (Outcome: approved.)

- Policy actions: the board completed second readings and adopted multiple policy items (examples read on the agenda included policies in the 7,000 series such as 7,100, 7,500 and 7,000); motions to waive further readings and adopt were seconded and approved unanimously. (Outcome: policies adopted.)

- Athletic program resolution (flag football): the board adopted a resolution reflecting the superintendent’s recommendation not to add girls varsity flag football for 2025–26 (see separate article for background and debate). (Outcome: approved.)

The board chair read each item into the record and announced the outcome after vote. Where roll‑call counts were not read into the transcript the chair described the result as unanimous or as noted above.","At the Feb. 24 meeting the board approved routine items including minutes and a consent agenda, acknowledged a retirement, accepted a change order, and adopted several policies; it also approved the superintendent’s recommendation not to add girls varsity flag football for 2025–26.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6311006,"Averill Park rolls out anonymous reporting line and joins county threat‑assessment effort after tip‑line success elsewhere",34,148000,182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844&start=148&end=182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2397084-3d3e18ae8623b8ef61001dfaf5056844/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/6311006/New-York/Averill-Park-rolls-out-anonymous-reporting-line-and-joins-county-threatassessment-effort-after-tipline-success-elsewhere","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311006-b1b06d58e561bacaee1554863ddb9291/orig.mp4?Expires=1773353274&Signature=hG62vXIzhI~~~2cWmNAT2q4LKbhGzZS51gWNQnabJ7Xbd2P-pFOosHimDLgpfA0LEltgMQ~wrJ~UYpQjvoV3-IUQuptojfvv5EabwwmEJyx8Du2-a1ImTM9zhZL8esxby~lQzlsXzlRPGioAUZHdsuaYaclUaur9qvCJa8sx47IulgKquaPlRMpglyu1zxoHTOqb078m9Fb0zc2c50n0ExOeOd-kKtuzttb9RAcNfQx63lp2VmA6-KbBHlunh2wFpgBTfz3zyl2KtXASnzJzMemvREnmBfFZJdv9GNNaDPJQnsXagtTX-2kPHszhY-3l6uyks7cIf0fXQHHwVrqiTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The superintendent told the board Feb. 24 that Averill Park has launched an anonymous reporting system and is working with county officials to align threat‑assessment procedures across schools.

Staff described the initiative as part of a broader, county‑ and statewide effort: the superintendent said the anonymous reporting system is already up and running in the district and that the county’s threat‑assessment protocol will be adopted to ensure consistency across local schools. The superintendent referenced an ABC News report about a tip that helped avert a school shooting in another district as one reason the district accelerated rollout.

The superintendent said the district has invested in a range of safety measures — vestibule upgrades and capital security work are already underway — and that staff do not discuss security details publicly but wanted the board and community to know the anonymous reporting system is active and will be part of ongoing prevention efforts.

Ending: District staff will continue coordinating with county partners on threat assessment procedures and will report back on implementation milestones.","Superintendent announced the district has implemented an anonymous reporting system and is coordinating with the county on a standardized threat‑assessment process; staff said the steps reflect statewide guidance and were prompted in part by a recent ABC News story about a tip that helped avoid a school shooting elsewhere.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent defends music scheduling process, says district achieves roughly 93% conflict‑free student schedules

Averill Park projects $1.6 million budget shortfall as state aid rise offsets by health‑care cost spikes

Board declines to add girls varsity flag football for 2025–26, citing budget and limited sustained interest

Votes at a glance: Averill Park board approves minutes, consent agenda and multiple policy updates; declines to add girls flag football

Averill Park rolls out anonymous reporting line and joins county threat‑assessment effort after tip‑line success elsewhere