[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663098,"mediaKeyId","2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e","parentId",2391511,"title","Parents raise concerns about explicit sexual and drug content in middle school library; superintendent says review process is in place","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",10431000,"endMs",10741000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e&start=10431&end=10741","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e/thumbnail_10431000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663098/New-York/Parents-raise-concerns-about-explicit-sexual-and-drug-content-in-middle-school-library-superintendent-says-review-process-is-in-place","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663098-f84ff7c859b629f0a4165b820208ef99/orig.mp4?Expires=1776614212&Signature=goNgBLNkEsTQvNB3Boa8SzdwW60~lH5eRfKXz-qqc9yNlglqcNw3QuoQw2b1c4exsl2y4-2m0YaRFCIAdvw9SMTKBBf9F2m6oQuGsBtLSfmAqnkySbDBK0pUvraktsmn0Tyqa1drrImqfSm-jaH3sGECDODi4~HyMGHaZu7iGmWOsxczukq6JBRCRcTkAMpTw91BYPOvvvWcg-oAd06l0rt4o5UP~wrTFn0cKX7dzc3ZOWIe1LyetuCKUszuD3n4lOghZDgL-xi40GH-D-pUQF64Ec1TRW8OFS9DfbH7N-dMnrahQJv7PhMpibjmCXfKHvpj7socDCcbW1KCfcBatw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arlington Central School District","date","2025-02-26T02:14:57.993Z","article","Two residents used the public-comment period of the Arlington Central School District Board meeting to raise concerns about sexually explicit and drug-related materials they found in the LaGrange Middle School library.

Morris Magnolia told the board she found images and language in library items she described as inappropriate for 10- to 13-year-old readers and argued that \"parents want to teach their children about these things in their own time, in their own way,\" not through unsupervised access in a school library. Magnolia described specific passages and images in drug-education materials and sexual-content books that she said should not be freely available to middle-school students.

Another speaker, Donna Rae Truhaft, said she had received reports of sexually explicit illustrated materials and called for more oversight and selective curation of library holdings.

Superintendent Dr. Phil Pannazzi responded during his closing remarks that \"one of the books that was brought into question ... is not in circulation at LaGrange Middle School\" this school year. He also reminded the public that the district maintains policies and a process for reviewing instructional and library materials when concerns are raised and encouraged parents to first speak with teachers or librarians so that the district can address concerns with details and evidence.

The superintendent said the district had used its review process once this school year and that further reviews could be initiated if concerns are reported with specific citations. Board members did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting; the administration said it would follow its policy-aligned review steps when formal requests or documented concerns are submitted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ACSD Board of Education Meeting 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Two members of the public criticized sexually explicit and drug-related materials in the middle school library. The superintendent responded that one of the cited titles is not currently in circulation and that the district has an established review process to handle concerns.","taxTitle","ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38566,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663103,"District outlines Winner Circle CTE expansions and asks board to add three athletic programs",233,4809000,5042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e&start=4809&end=5042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e/thumbnail_4809000.jpg","/articles/6663103/New-York/District-outlines-Winner-Circle-CTE-expansions-and-asks-board-to-add-three-athletic-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663103-120eaa5c012b20a71dd134f1a5a8ce2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776614212&Signature=SwDWkBLmxF2MR4QRnL3wFzWjLVB9EEiTSaTRk620UNku~WrDbAucWrHyaySVcmHTzhq7EIOuwW~4GLZ9-QVlA8-VtYrejju4ehZdQ0EAXldwsz3qFmdg01BGURKxXS~LiX4EnlA4PgTEDcmO9D-LBcl49JO6BoPfc8mDiO1QutJW5BZrJMa1--W6JIcGnWxfKRXDYKFga-noVPos9qJ2FYlxfRu65v3e~zUSv4Y063MTpGSpY3i1gYgZ5z4zAI~sWMG-b7b9xDYjEP5ihpHiV3apSz4dgorQlCcTaQLbX8A5KwgurH~MFPb6TuSqh2LMqZGjoOExKCfhHQcwuCo65Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District academic leaders described curriculum and program expansions, including a new Winner Circle partnership that will add courses and CTE pathways, plus a request to add three athletic programs to increase student participation.

John Orcutt (district administrator leading the presentation) described efforts to expand authentic learning experiences and two new career and technical education (CTE) pathways tied to the Winner Circle project and BOCES partnerships. The district plans to add an arts-based Individual Arts Assessment pathway (portfolio route for graduation credit) and said existing pathways in construction, advanced manufacturing, textiles, early childhood education and business-related courses will grow; the administration told the board the arts pathway will increase the district's count of approved pathways to 11.

New courses proposed include Spanish for heritage speakers, marine biology, hydroponics, principles of economics and action, and AP African American studies. The administration estimated roughly $52,000 for curriculum writing to bring the new courses to scale.

Athletics: Athletic leadership requested three program additions: an expansion of the Unified program (added competitive opportunities across seasons), a second modified girls lacrosse team to accommodate participation demand, and freshman football to provide additional rosters and reduce cuts. The athletic director (Mister Kring) told the board the additions would help keep students connected to school and reduce lost participation opportunities: \"anything we can do to create and keep kids connected to schools and connected to adults, is a very, important program and experience,\" the presentation said.

Grants and federal funding: The administration reviewed federal grant allocations (Title I, II, III, IV) and described how Title I funds support extended-day and summer programs in five schools. The administration also said it is reallocating some Title IV funding from a vendor survey tool to fund responsive-classroom training for teachers, with approximately 60 teachers already signed up.

Next steps: Many of the program items will be run through BOCES co-ops (Winner Circle; some CTE courses). The administration said it will return with required staffing and cost details as part of the March budget follow-ups and program presentations.","Administrators described the \"Winner Circle\" project that will add courses and two new state-recognized CTE pathways, proposed new courses and requested three athletic program additions (unified bocce, modified girls lacrosse, freshman football).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663108,"Traver Road staff say PLCs, 15-day challenge lifted first-grade math mastery from 49% to 78%",860,593000,1453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e&start=593&end=1453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e/thumbnail_593000.jpg","/articles/6663108/New-York/Traver-Road-staff-say-PLCs-15-day-challenge-lifted-first-grade-math-mastery-from-49-to-78","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663108-f715143c96395b95003b7c88e2b6a96a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776614212&Signature=JShumjJtvBtySoaXu4xh1f~38h2iXm4Os8czHVemyiFyC3tWy~LSyj-PVY2RzzYKdEglxwNks4pLIR8W-KD4d2jhNqWoLGpfU5YnOMEedpOrhmblINRFAFAmD1BuLder6TpqMV16icNV1fna~5AtVZUDt2zyNhH04WF0YKuViDzbaBGFu7Nxnb0wUR2keB~KVph3aB2FJhCuE1ZEllSWHHj4UuLbZA0qfFUq7yxBPvtjMQsA9cRMAJTIyNqX86EfU97nNkNC-ouMwRkilysugwcYJTN3nuMO0CvfRAiFvp5fwKGwiTjg~7RKWiSKBHGMulkrPM8nU2pT7hpNqHa0qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Traver Road teachers told the Arlington Central School District Board that structured professional learning community (PLC) work and a Solutions Tree 15-day instructional cycle have produced measurable short-term gains in first-grade math.

Traver staff presented examples of school-level PLC activities, including a collective \"shipwreck\" problem and a \"compass point\" exercise to help teams identify working styles and norms. They said PLC teams select an essential standard, unpack learning targets, create common formative assessments (CFAs) and then regroup students for targeted intervention or enrichment during an intervention/enrichment block.

The presenter described first-grade results after one 15-day PLC cycle: \"When we gave our pre assessment out of our student population, 49 percent of students had showed that they were able to add and subtract to 10 with accuracy. And then after only 1 PLC cycle ... that lifted to 78 percent,\" the presenter said. Teachers credited shared planning, common assessments and rotating students into targeted instructional groups for the rapid gains.

Traver first-grade teacher Kim Van Voorhis joined the presentation and explained how teams used learning ladders, proficiency scales and shared assessments to place students in targeted groups and then reassess. Staff also reported benefits beyond academics: students met peers from other classes and teachers reported stronger grade-level collaboration and increased willingness among staff to ask \"why\" and push back for clarity during planning.

Board members asked about the source of training and the definition of mastery. Traver staff said initial training and the 15-day framework came from Solutions Tree and related coaching; mastery was described as alignment with New York State standards for the identified essential learning targets and measured via the common formative assessments the PLC created.

Traver staff said they will continue cycles of assessment and regrouping and that early results are encouraging but still part of an iterative process.","Traver Road teachers described work with professional learning communities (PLCs) and the Solutions Tree 15-day challenge; first-grade team reported a rise from 49% to 78% mastery on a targeted addition/subtraction standard after one PLC cycle.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663112,"Technology plan: wireless refresh for nine buildings, AI pilots and $6.2M tech spending proposed",730,3001000,3731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e&start=3001&end=3731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e/thumbnail_3001000.jpg","/articles/6663112/New-York/Technology-plan-wireless-refresh-for-nine-buildings-AI-pilots-and-62M-tech-spending-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663112-69f71b2e2bd1c813ce4e1531cac4a40c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776614212&Signature=UDQug8pZ~eomas5UMpIKVDVeZRGQx0OSBIORfVTnY7g5dbN-NxaMe1PD2LInQm6Cs6pvWugw-RlNoOdy5A7P9DazJFCYOmMEVwSg-Ai670FyfPrGVqM55SsmxptCxgfNxjS8ZvkIUHlrT1v0JDzdGBtB5wxfj35aSgPFImiiaf0fJrIu7hyW7z~P2QhTqvhtML9onojYCZcCSzPSyMeIe-i8kEsYMEmbWKaomJcAURInDDMiv2K~Lp9Kh4310AnCRpkt6OHPbLPFtVEmXGTVxy0EEtfWEUWqFpdmp6pyFTS~aPozpcBchUQzB5Ds4lyBkAD5dLPIw~n4W06RD8x7ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District technology leaders presented a proposed technology budget for 2025-26 that includes replacement of aging wireless access points in nine of 11 buildings, projected BOCES aid, and pilots of artificial-intelligence tools for teachers.

The presenter told the board the proposed technology operating budget for 2025-26 was about $6,200,000 and said a large portion of the total is routed through Dutchess- and other BOCES cooperative buys. The administration estimated about $2,600,000 in BOCES aid for technology spending that will offset the district's costs in future years.

On infrastructure, the technology presenter said the district must replace wireless access points that will go out of vendor support in 2026 and that the project will touch roughly nine buildings. The presenter called the access points \"the things on the wall that give us the Internet access,\" and said the project is being planned with E-rate funding and BOCES installment/lease options to spread costs.

Pilots and software: The IT team is piloting two K-12-focused AI platforms (Brisk AI and School AI) with teacher tech leaders across grade levels and said early feedback demonstrated potential time savings for lesson planning, standards alignment and formative assessment generation. The presenter said one possible pilot line in the tech budget was set at $50,000 pending final vendor selection and pilot results.

BOCES and ongoing costs: The presentation itemized hardware replacement (Chromebooks and iPads), licensing and BOCES-installed services (networking, web filtering, servers, backups, and telecommunications). The presenter described a BOCES services baseline of roughly $2.4 million that covers multi-year leases, instructional software, and mandatory BOCES fees.

What the board asked: Members asked about repair vs. replacement practices, warranty costs and the district's ratio of leased vs. owned devices. The technology presenter said the district performs many repairs in-house and purchases limited repair time from BOCES; warranties per-device were usually more expensive than in-house repair, the presenter said. The district plans to rely on a mix of E-rate, BOCES aid and leasing to reduce near-term budget pressure.

The board will consider the technology budget as part of the district's overall budget deliberations. The administration said final e-rate and BOCES aid estimates will be confirmed in future budget work and that the pilot results for AI platforms will inform any programmatic request going forward.","District technology staff presented a $6.2 million technology budget with a large BOCES services line, a wireless access-point refresh across nine buildings, and pilots of K-12 AI platforms; the district expects approximately $2.6 million in BOCES aid related to technology spending.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663117,"Arlington board weighs 2.74% tax-levy proposal as administration plans staffing shifts to close budget gap",3010,6898000,9908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e&start=6898&end=9908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391511-4c264983c6306c137e5e5c64fd9a979e/thumbnail_6898000.jpg","/articles/6663117/New-York/Arlington-board-weighs-274-tax-levy-proposal-as-administration-plans-staffing-shifts-to-close-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663117-44bd9dbd61daa6a3bed9e9ec54bc098d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776614212&Signature=lKi2ll~9LG9M0fX9Q2C-mer-9NwZOULFCNOayzlncGKaLgJTBlANyAP8ZlBGD7uLUNXVNF4qTedeyhntIg3~AXtnHW7OCftDE5dI3FZ7MODkJCc6z7mXDcHKGDSsmA6QHRL9rR7jTS3dD2ODeu5NqVxWLQ4Urp4ox8lKXRuA2vs93NEG4ZNm10wuHpXwIlbBbIY-2PHIk-gD1pt5ipnP69KcmBmN1ftk15kYTChIOcMGs~uBrdP0hvbeyVkyXQzzKs-SD-Hx1drso95vb18~a2uNyr-m4Xc8LftuUv5zBXwgkFiCOxdNwItQmFzvB2H1jLzDqdwLHlNf0Vy2iLvzZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arlington Central School District administration recommended a working budget built around a 2.74% tax-levy increase and told the school board it can close most of the gap without layoffs by using attrition and targeted adjustments.

Superintendent Dr. Phil Pannazzi told the board the administration's current planning shows a working deficit ranging from roughly $2.6 million at a 2% levy to about $1.5 million at a 2.74% levy; by the district's legal levy limit (3.74%), the budget model would be roughly balanced. The business office and administrators said they will bring detailed position-level reductions and program trades to the board on March 11.

Why it matters: After several years of large state and federal increases that helped expand staffing and programs, state aid growth has slowed. With salaries and benefits still the majority of the operating budget, the district said it must right-size staffing levels to match current enrollment and maintain programming without sudden layoffs.

The administration emphasized it prefers to meet reductions through attrition and internal reassignments. Hillary Roberto, the district's assistant superintendent for human resources, told the board: \"we're planning for approximately 7 to 9 FTE or full time equivalency\" reductions as part of the 2025-26 planning. Roberto said those reductions will fall primarily at the secondary level where enrollment has fallen most sharply and where prior staffing adjustments have been less extensive than at the elementary level.

Business manager Kevin (name on transcript) explained the mechanics of the levy scenarios during the board discussion. \"Any 0.1 change ... that's a hundred and $56,000,\" he said, quantifying how small levy changes translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars for the budget. He and the superintendent laid out three levy scenarios the board had discussed: 2.0% (roughly $2.6M short), 2.5% (about $1.8M short), and 2.74% (about $1.5M short); at the legal levy cap of 3.74% the model showed a small surplus (about $42,000 in the administration's workplan).

Board members pressed for detail and a timeline. The administration said it will return to the board on March 11 with a recommended budget package tied to a levy recommendation (administration said it would prepare a package at about 2.74% and show the ads and reductions that produce that number). The administration stressed that reductions shown thus far rely on natural attrition and reassignment rather than layoffs, and that any staffing moves would be communicated to individual staff before public adoption.

Context and next steps: The administration said it is still finalizing some figures (notably a federal/state accounting item referenced as the DHIC holiday in their materials) and will continue to refine projections. The board asked the administration to prepare a clear, position-level package tied to a specific levy so members could provide final direction before formal adoption. Public hearings and the district's traditional budget timeline remain in place; the administration noted final state aid figures could change the picture modestly but that large state increases are not anticipated.

Votes and formal actions from the meeting included approval of routine consent items and policy second readings (see \"Votes at a glance\" below).","Superintendent and business office presented budget scenarios showing deficits at lower levies and a near-balance at the district's legal cap; administration proposes rightsizing through attrition (7\t1 FTE reductions) while avoiding layoffs and leaving room for targeted additions for English learners and safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents raise concerns about explicit sexual and drug content in middle school library; superintendent says review process is in place

District outlines Winner Circle CTE expansions and asks board to add three athletic programs

Traver Road staff say PLCs, 15-day challenge lifted first-grade math mastery from 49% to 78%

Technology plan: wireless refresh for nine buildings, AI pilots and $6.2M tech spending proposed

Arlington board weighs 2.74% tax-levy proposal as administration plans staffing shifts to close budget gap