[{"_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",6661246,"mediaKeyId","2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64","parentId",2414605,"title","District presents K–12 literacy overhaul: new curricula, coaches, libraries and community partnerships","audioSeconds",2286,"startMs",3000000,"endMs",5286000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64&start=3000&end=5286","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661246/New-York/District-presents-K12-literacy-overhaul-new-curricula-coaches-libraries-and-community-partnerships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661246-2f2a4782d1fa0948009c5102565dabf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777554091&Signature=gBbIAaTr891H~PlxmPvLGa552L9uc9ilLTGgkIaKvmaG0E4A9XZ5N1Mct1OaOOfseNCo73iAUhg3maizB4kFtocXKfIbAFH4078xlMLoFqKknHJh~kgwoUouzjtg1nk45iat7vzZeeCn7IWBhQgT4CymzVHamcVvVKZjOjFykQ00G3ZKMhnaLm~vsb5evQ0A5uoynaO~svFPFjd~13X4Bmf9L30AN962YGmX0RbO914ktLGiRMCdPc7sV0r7JTcLKVvBMcDet1itha~rTgkFtDhUdGeiapsd92aL01x8LkGTWUYzfGdbRt7JQWZfDBty9L17RECwH-QUZDdCZywPEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Schenectady City School District","date","2025-02-27T02:15:12.867Z","article","District officials from the Office of Teaching and Learning presented an expanded, systemwide literacy plan covering PreK–12, including curriculum adoption, assessments and community partnerships.

\"Literacy is really the foundation for all learning across all content areas,\" said Dr. Linda Chisholm, director of the Office of Teaching and Learning, opening the presentation. She and colleagues described a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to align leadership, instructional practice, assessments and data visualization so principals and teachers can monitor progress.

The district is using research-aligned resources across K–5: Heggerty for phonemic awareness, Foundations for structured literacy instruction, Geodes (decodable readers) and the WITS & WISDOM modules that build background knowledge and writing skills. Presenters said reading teachers, AIS (academic intervention service) staff and literacy coaches are assigned across buildings; the district now has 11 literacy/ELA coaches K–12 to support classroom implementation.

The presentation highlighted library and community programs: the district distributed Scholastic book-lending libraries for students in PreK–5 in English and Spanish, added the Rising Voices collections to elementary libraries (including a newly arrived Haitian Creole collection), and partners with the Schenectady County Public Library on programs such as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and STARS (Schenectady Takes Action for Reading Success). The district also described author visits and in-school events tied to curriculum modules.

Presenters said the district is monitoring multiple data points (i-Ready benchmarks, common assessments and classroom walkthrough data) and building a data-visualization tool to provide timely information to teachers and leaders. They noted the science-of-reading alignment and a multi-year implementation timeline; staff said full impact typically becomes visible after about three years of curriculum implementation.

Board members and staff asked about supports for advanced readers and for students with disabilities or multilingual learners. Presenters said they intend to form committees to amplify differentiated and accelerated offerings, and that ELL and special-education staff have access to the same resources and digital platforms (for example Geodes) to reinforce instruction and practice.

The Office of Teaching and Learning said it will continue professional development, including in-house certification for Foundations trainers through Wilson training, and encouraged continued family–community partnerships to put books into homes.

No formal board vote was required for the curriculum status update; the presentation served as an informational progress report on literacy work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting: 2/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District instructional leaders presented a K–12 literacy strategy that pairs new research-aligned materials with coaching, library collections and community partners to increase reading and writing proficiency.","taxTitle","Schenectady City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14410,"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},6661251,"CFO outlines staffing, tax-cap options and budget uncertainties ahead of spring vote",760,1880000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64&start=1880&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64/thumbnail_1880000.jpg","/articles/6661251/New-York/CFO-outlines-staffing-tax-cap-options-and-budget-uncertainties-ahead-of-spring-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661251-2afd6b3cb64b35a9a80ee5bf9f18482a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777554091&Signature=XrWtSZv75xVV6tg5b8eCLYFaYu1PG5zOYS1nai2ZrD3E11Pc-HU00qoIixSz2GNlWIju7ZcwVE61mhszAGiSWByd6kaLr78U0rWT7B5BBMhf8vShgxbdNb9FY9CM5~dtR7BYsoygVrXs4BD30gPYMtqxQb1FMP7u4ZcSV7BYrv70PuuPOtcuY4xF0j6Sb7o0wlZDOtuocTOVGt2kDbR0aB0Yvk2ZHSS9KlcFb31wXWY1uVtaCNikRG6lS-GfNBfR33hCh1R~PvHEu-RCjrHFAZWM2d9NZTsME9NTanu5LMFW2Rs6Jroqqn1tUMrjMwY-x1NI972aNrFtgopwKvyvtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Schenectady City School District's chief financial officer reviewed staffing across the district and outlined the tax-cap calculation and timing as the district prepares its 2025-26 budget.

Terry Kahului, the district CFO, presented lists of positions by district office, elementary, middle and high school and noted that some positions are grant-funded while others are sustained by the general fund. Kahului said the district has not raised taxes in the last six years and described the tax-levy mechanics for New York school districts, including the CPI-based 2% component and allowable exclusions. He said the district's current tax levy is about $51.4 million and that, under the formula and current exclusions, the district could increase the levy by about $1.4 million (a 2.74% increase) if necessary — a step that would require a 60% voter approval if the board chose to exceed a standard threshold.

Kahului said the district still awaits final state aid decisions and noted that several grants (including federal ARP funds) are winding down; the district is reviewing which positions funded by grants are sustainable for the general fund. He described ongoing staffing meetings in March to reconcile vacancies, assess building-level needs and determine sustainable positions, and said the district would consider reallocating staff for the new Freshman Learning Academy as enrollments shift.

Kahului also summarized retirement and pension-contribution trends, reporting TRS and ERS rates were not increasing and that the district was monitoring those costs as part of the budget.

The board asked questions about shared services — for example, whether occupational and physical therapists are districtwide (Kahului said those services are shared and provided where needed) — and about whether district enrollment changes would affect the tax-cap calculation (he replied the tax-cap uses assessment and other external factors set by the state). The CFO noted the district must submit tax-cap documentation to New York State by March 1.

No formal budget vote occurred at the meeting; the presentation was informational and part of the board's annual budget season work.","CFO Terry Kahului reviewed district staffing by departments and discussed the tax levy and the district's tax-cap submission, saying the tax levy is roughly $51.4 million and that the allowable tax-levy growth factor for 2025 could permit up to a $1.4 million (2.74%) increase if needed.",{"_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},6661256,"Board adopts three policies, approves minutes and consent items; treasurer's report filed",155,1640000,1795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64&start=1640&end=1795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6661256/New-York/Board-adopts-three-policies-approves-minutes-and-consent-items-treasurers-report-filed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661256-aca9a9641cac08059a46837edadcc607/orig.mp4?Expires=1777554091&Signature=aLKnDTvhc-uEvDvjM9Pfh1x5PxbDbSmO150EwYGQMHSq9mH95OT6ywmM3bDayFI3RhpS5Q1QRDrCw2MavQaNXvuSEDg8YSkA9mZGkI9IxZRAmcJsMVsYUXLD2Ej0FYQQJm-0sSZqejKlKNVNs2jKfryZ9fA9ktJOapasJrutS6NU0t7BTqCimmWAnGWDv~n~qpCa8r5Y10Pa8WYrxaelqUVdhLBumZ7zv579RTbMTWdMd9a5tmAwZ04aSr2EYiVUjfULDW4HZNe5fgSApb-2X-okZ04dVY9xs2jXipav3HGQFLoemdJsi~PS2UnlvWrDdiYTZ3MayexPVAUJku85kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Schenectady City School District Board of Education approved minutes, adopted three policies and placed the treasurer's report on file during its meeting.

The board voted to adopt Policy 5240 (School Tax Assessment, Collection and Overpayment) in a first-student adoption that raises the automatic overpayment refund threshold from $10 to $50. The board also adopted Policy 7320 (Tobacco and Illegal Substance-Free District) and approved a new Opioid Overdose Prevention Program policy intended to authorize in-district training and administration of emergency measures.

Board members approved the minutes from the Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, 2025, meetings and carried the consent agenda items (8a–8q). The treasurer’s report was accepted and placed on file for audit. The board then moved into executive session to discuss employment history of particular individuals under Section 105.1(f) of the New York Open Meetings Law.

Votes and motions recorded in the meeting included motions to adopt the agenda, approve minutes, and approve each policy. Each motion was seconded and carried according to the meeting record; no roll-call tallies were provided in the public minutes. The motion to place the treasurer’s report on file for audit likewise carried.

The board president closed public business and the board entered executive session as noted.

Notes: motions were described and recorded on the meeting audio/transcript; vote outcomes are recorded as “carried” in the meeting record but specific yes/no vote counts were not read aloud for the policies or consent agenda items.","The Schenectady City School District Board approved minutes, adopted three policies including a new opioid overdose prevention program, accepted the treasurer's report for audit and passed the consent agenda during its meeting.",{"_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},6661238,"Schenectady Federation of Teachers calls for nicotine supports and warns about budget risks",175,220000,395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64&start=220&end=395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64/thumbnail_220000.jpg","/articles/6661238/New-York/Schenectady-Federation-of-Teachers-calls-for-nicotine-supports-and-warns-about-budget-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661238-4fde0b53cd6d753ba88f2c99655ea360/orig.mp4?Expires=1777554091&Signature=NBH~irs7OT2KKhutwVJsi49THxNZlCJjRusdLYXsFWrknjLojyD5tB~2y442jb-otWoe4AkBSpDxq6sXurUjWydbDIXOCilaNuTS99yynEyyJMCroJktRaMwOz6wQjYfVWN0XrwlBRaEs7caWNRoZRkzFbxB3NUQQKiAwvP90qb4CdKbrrKfBAChcbNUDINABxnhsu7NlUPKDh8eI17N7jFtxnErIMIGk3IMDNbqbLNqCorlLpAuxagzKjjVae-yEmPY4DJgUNd82HrJlC7A8HzBskDs4i9Pv3Q5V8m2ZN4oK0UTHd-fiGWss9JphXaTkytASSmSyDP98MvBbIXIpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Silvestri, president of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, used the public-comment portion of the meeting to thank the district for moving forward with plans to provide \"receptacles or patches\" at secondary schools and to warn the board about potential budget strain if state or federal funding declines.

\"First, I would like to thank the district for moving forward with the plan to move into the idea of getting receptacles or patches for next year, especially at the secondary,\" Silvestri said. He told the board that a union survey showed only 10% of secondary teachers opposed the idea and invited the district to collaborate with the Schenectady Federation of Teachers on any committee work.

Silvestri said the union supports protecting public education and cautioned that if external funding changes — including federal-level shifts — the district might face financial pressure. He urged the board and union to \"rally around each other again and support public education\" if funding shortfalls occur.

His comments were entered into the public record; no board action was taken during public comment. The CFO later presented budget context and noted the district is monitoring state aid and expiring grants.","Mike Silvestri, president of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, thanked the district for planning receptacles or patches at secondary schools and urged the community to be prepared if state or federal funding changes reduce district revenue.",{"_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},6661241,"Parents and counselors urge district to keep Planned Parenthood partnerships and expand middle-school sexual health instruction",156,424000,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64&start=424&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414605-f2992be22ead75040e57875db38d8a64/thumbnail_424000.jpg","/articles/6661241/New-York/Parents-and-counselors-urge-district-to-keep-Planned-Parenthood-partnerships-and-expand-middle-school-sexual-health-instruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661241-1597341c75eb6fec874d02de8d3d7a3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777554091&Signature=CA3ZEQ-zcSj0asv4N5j2YkegfqkBdNciXPWsLKosoqFSINRBhYm826MmtYtn4UrR51Yv6RSUF6KEJJJ8p1haZriXKFYtwbTLH4YPQQDtuVypDHWH-tWjF4zMhUncoVE0CNeUwSU5T17LDJ-d60HlKzuuZcXXVjqBxVlCBhYnwt08R-IyYmRKPkiOLDx4zhyER~jdjbEdlCJAkC5gFTBNgO9pgJonkeTZ950uAw2aRYCj1lY70u3f~mLi5KmZmDKvcqtaAwTnUm4T6uVq5nuUdOTsNG000jz5EGB0v8kQDxp1FWklIAHpvRQwYtCVBFqkuZB2ePptpY5-Cd0tp3kNUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two public commenters — a social worker and a school counselor — urged the Schenectady City School District to continue partnerships with Planned Parenthood and to strengthen sexual-health education at middle schools.

\"Planned Parenthood has done some good work for us,\" said Ebony Belmar, who identified herself as a social worker with 26 years in the district. Belmar described a district wellness day at Mount Pleasant and Central Park middle schools that included Planned Parenthood presenters and said that sex education currently occurs primarily in sixth grade; she recommended additional middle-school instruction and repeated, developmentally appropriate lessons later in middle school rather than waiting until tenth grade.

Tanya Bustillo, a school counselor, said she \"has found Planned Parenthood a very good provider to work with\" and that outside providers sometimes help staff address pregnancy scares and other urgent student needs. Both speakers asked the board to continue relationships with community providers and to reconsider the timing and frequency of sexual-health education in middle schools.

District officials did not take a formal vote related to the public comment; the remarks were made during the public comment period and were recorded for the minutes. The district's Office of Teaching and Learning later discussed curriculum, assessments and partnerships in its literacy presentation but made no immediate changes based on the comments recorded on this meeting's public comment agenda.","Two district staff members told the board that Planned Parenthood supports student wellness work and urged the district to maintain and expand partnerships and sexual health education beyond a single sixth-grade lesson.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District presents K–12 literacy overhaul: new curricula, coaches, libraries and community partnerships

CFO outlines staffing, tax-cap options and budget uncertainties ahead of spring vote

Board adopts three policies, approves minutes and consent items; treasurer's report filed

Schenectady Federation of Teachers calls for nicotine supports and warns about budget risks

Parents and counselors urge district to keep Planned Parenthood partnerships and expand middle-school sexual health instruction