[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6288240,"mediaKeyId","2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9","parentId",2542157,"title","Board approves routine consent items, accepts bids for 2023 capital project Phase 1b","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",5978000,"endMs",6127000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9&start=5978&end=6127","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9/thumbnail_5978000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288240/New-York/Board-approves-routine-consent-items-accepts-bids-for-2023-capital-project-Phase-1b","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288240-7340c12a508844e18635453e32954b08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148603&Signature=Zqr04wum55qbqEzceDpKHOHTCy8Eghiyrnn~w~uyEam5-t7keO67GZSHUR85EzxqQabAIUzZDa9lNUr7NpYGiqTzDayhif3hiYXzAgZp4s2RcuDKSlgjWDKOQU6Hka6XxvI8Xnd~X4VWz5KL1jOHFlO8lrIYbz1UOBgj8-OKn2ZtpN~txRh7hJS1acyUGtyZzTPVgnOh4zXE0CB8WAfMg~WWHITeEeTlC~PLhGytXHCzGeag5KVSITXvoDaWQEqLp~dSRYrJDMp496mOfnIeghLpyJ5K-mtzpUMl9gV5JvqAZubCnGthMRbJruxvfKMNVWq2LnWdLDSHGALCRTCS8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-11T14:04:54Z","article","The Starpoint Board of Education approved a series of routine consent and personnel items and accepted bid results for a previously voter‑approved capital project during its February board meeting.

Motions recorded in the meeting minutes and approved by voice vote included acceptance of resignations, approval of appointments, adoption of the notice for the annual school district election and the public hearing, approval of a request to use sick days from the STA sick bank and acceptance of bid results for the 2023 capital improvement project Phase 1b.

Details recorded in the meeting transcript are as follows:

• Consensus agenda: Motion made and adopted by voice vote (“Motion. All in favor?” — \"Aye\").

• K1 (Resignations): Motion to accept; approved by voice vote.

• K3 (Appointments): Motion to accept; approved by voice vote.

• K4 (Adopt notice of annual school district election and public hearing): Motion seconded and approved by voice vote.

• K5 (Approval of request to use sick days from the STA sick bank): Motion approved by voice vote.

• K6 (Acceptance of bid results for the 2023 capital improvement project, Phase 1b): Motion made and approved by voice vote (“Motion. All in favor? Aye. Aye.”).

The transcript does not record individual roll‑call votes, tallies or the names of motion makers/seconders for these items; the board recorded the motions and indicated they were approved by assent. No motions failed or were tabled in the recorded public portion of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 10, 2025 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the Starpoint Board of Education approved the consensus agenda, accepted appointments and accepted bid results for the 2023 capital improvement project Phase 1b; motions were adopted by voice votes with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the public minutes.","taxTitle","STARPOINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",59548,"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},6288246,"Board hears concerns about governor’s proposed ‘bell‑to‑bell’ phone ban and practical challenges",4570,973000,5543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9&start=973&end=5543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9/thumbnail_973000.jpg","/articles/6288246/New-York/Board-hears-concerns-about-governors-proposed-belltobell-phone-ban-and-practical-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288246-5162a67322aae2e8a7dc4691f5b42b77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148603&Signature=eaiXVB4hTxFfnvu0Q-9D5WBBxDjg7B3HsPVoXQ-amL28MOjYxTOiO-hbP9r8zOSWrkRwDNOpDNQfNgFw7CSCvKcVYfDkYTw9oiwmKkbD2HkQ2SbQ1lTAUCU4rmce2aEegaHlXM0vX9eRULbaoo-h8lS9H25jr5Y5uZ3rbTjrD9xTrI35cZem~60hpzRN4VZ9Y0YXbsklS4OvlqDxAV50vxuPWPhYN5GqgnDKtOstQletuwGLyAByrwNzQXRcciSWGo1gQ9pE0l3dn67b4~mfkUhIYlTQWUWmy746K-laHK-AJacpNQfVyuiO0zmDvlJ-s9cY6ERYJyHTlUW7m9AwTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board discussed a governor’s proposal to ban student cell‑phone use “bell to bell” during the school day and heard public comment that raised practical concerns about implementation and safety.

During the superintendent’s report an administrator noted the governor has proposed a policy “that starting in September 1, there will be no cell phone use from bell to bell,” and described presentations at a conference on mental‑health impacts and safety scenarios such as mass notifications and the potential for cellular networks to become jammed if many students attempted to use phones simultaneously.

Public commenters and board members raised implementation questions: How would schools collect and return phones, who would supervise the process at arrival and dismissal, and how would parents reach students in an emergency? One commenter said the approach used by another district places phones in sealed pouches on entry, while others noted wearable devices (smart watches) and earbuds complicate enforcement. Some speakers urged that the district collect examples of successful local implementations before adopting any policy.

Board members also suggested involving parents in testing and piloting options, and one parent offered to help convene a small parent group to provide input. The discussion was exploratory; the board did not vote on any policy and no district‑wide decision was made at the meeting.","Superintendent’s report referenced the governor’s proposed ban on students using cell phones during school hours; public commenters and board members raised questions about implementation, safety communications and exemptions for medical devices.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288250,"Students showcase inventions, arts and club achievements at Starpoint board meeting",0,2181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9&start=2181&end=2181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9/thumbnail_2181000.jpg","/articles/6288250/New-York/Students-showcase-inventions-arts-and-club-achievements-at-Starpoint-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288250-5bac35ffd4336c5351c0f1b4962cfe1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148603&Signature=UWZt76nmqmkDRw5~QDleuUFIk02HBcTiZdqucu83pZ2o3MEbGaIO0GNtNweBZ~psGtVuiJJOxfHWZLyX29aAEZuVZWHCUeXSc1en9~q2-CWmh0oF~bnrtikMgYYyePrKz1fQ~YBRTMK1SSg0XyGQSLiSdIOAJ8YdCczC4xUy3kqJfnqLj42u9XuyUmpPicNUBKonkNbLXrdnpM6ejPR81g33TU-7Fv2yKenZY6oSg~RHNucVZappwa5Bv~HakkKZpbZ1yKBc17OUADRITh6nuRUbUoXJ-NEo7WN83atJkJIkk6U5Y5zYSbNFwu8XuP4lZb3RkEIs3Hku~kclCBJ17g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members heard presentations and reports that highlighted student work across the district, from an Inventathon where elementary students presented prototypes to high school fundraising and competitive teams.

Elementary and intermediate students presented inventions and prototypes as part of the Inventathon. A fifth‑grade team demonstrated a “switch cup” designed to deliver four selectable drinks from one container; fourth‑grade students showed a flavored letter‑licker concept; third‑grade students presented a pedal‑powered snow‑blower prototype. Teachers and advisers Jessica LaMarca and Michelle Burt introduced the student presenters and described roughly 80 inventors who participated in the February 27 event.

The board also heard about extracurricular and competition successes: Starpoint students medaled in Science Olympiad events (robotics and entomology were named), several DECA teams qualified for state finals, and a math honor society panel connected students with industry speakers. The board highlighted a senior, Eric Wolf, who organizes an annual Field of Dreams car show to raise money for Niagara Hospice; the event’s next date was given as June 7, 2025.

Performing‑arts staff and the student ex‑officio praised the high school production of Shrek the Musical. The board and public commenters celebrated large audience turnout and record total ticket sales: board members said the production sold 3,143 tickets across performances and that one Sunday matinee drew about 970 attendees.

Student and staff recognitions included a Niagara County “Do the Right Thing” award presented to student Giselle Kraska and praise for teachers and special‑education staff who support inclusivity.

The presentations were informational and no formal board action resulted from these reports.

Board members and attendees commended the students and staff for their achievements and community engagement.","Fifth‑grade Inventathon projects, a range of academic competitions, the school musical and student fundraisers were highlighted in the superintendent and student reports.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288255,"Starpoint budget presentation: $71M plan, modest tax‑rate increase projected and equalization shifts explained",1918,3596000,5514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9&start=3596&end=5514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9/thumbnail_3596000.jpg","/articles/6288255/New-York/Starpoint-budget-presentation-71M-plan-modest-taxrate-increase-projected-and-equalization-shifts-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288255-368d504bda2ff16aab30fd75ae98c653/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148603&Signature=J-zPUDNVajidEjCOxuepI~KlBL4NjxdIPzqbeNz7Gs59E96T2zUuQvUL3QJiQ3sErcBVVsXaeDkfFFsMJnZkdxMoWbVGkxT5IXbWXCBWZ~BUZ4i9WUKM9VkTebvnRjgR7LNwagzvfiBPA~Ge9FLpTpkZacDAOrnUqiH-2fGUOtpcRPjpH0nnKhMI6aHtkqLe4NzDtmD7FFvrChsrwuOuPv6fpHGJNpRzKWiSJBOuf7ye9Dt~ivfZuNHSOqGAOlwJJgLd3nesbr~8kVewVGqj4NDRoAs3v7uJPXXVcCYAaavURBjtHCJ8zYcweKlpuvjWQSrlrbdmo7vpaCnFnYfNpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Starpoint Central School District business official presented the district’s draft 2025–26 budget to the board Thursday and outlined how capital borrowing, state aid projections and town equalization rates affect the tax rate residents will see on their bills.

“Our budget’s a little over $71,000,000. The 5.12% increase,” John Andrews, the district’s business official, said during the budget presentation. He described the district’s baseline budget‑to‑budget increase as 3.43%, with the additional percentage made up by debt service from a previously voter‑approved capital project (an added 2.27%) and an apparent 1.22% effect from a loss of PILOT payments; Andrews said the PILOT impact is ‘‘no tax impact’’ because of other assessment adjustments the county will calculate.

Andrews told the board his working estimate for the tax‑rate increase is roughly 1.29% if equalization and assessments remain constant, but he said an anticipated “chargeback” related to midyear property sales will reduce the district’s tax rate for some taxpayers. He explained that a simple majority vote is required to pass the budget and that, if the proposed budget is defeated twice, the district would need to cut about $2.4 million or use additional reserves to balance the next budget.

The presentation included a discussion of state categorical aid, with Andrews noting transportation aid estimates depend on current‑year spending. He said the district expects roughly $3.9 million in transportation aid versus a governor’s proposal estimate near $4.1 million because the state’s formula uses actual district spending.

A long segment of the presentation explained equalization rates — the mechanism town assessors use to align assessed values with market values — and how differences across towns affect tax rates. Andrews used town examples and a hypothetical $180,000 taxable‑value house to show how a 100% equalization (taxable value equals market value) compares with towns at 54% or 38% equalization. He said Royalton’s equalization was projected to move to 100% while Pendleton and Wheatfield showed decreases for the coming year.

Board members asked for copies of the calculations and details on how the chargeback and equalization changes will affect sample tax bills. Andrews said a more precise tax‑rate calculation would be presented at the next board meeting when assessors provide preliminary equalization numbers.

No formal board vote was taken on the budget at the meeting; the presentation was informational and part of the public budget review process.","District business official presented a proposed $71 million budget with a 5.12% increase driven primarily by a previously approved capital project; estimated tax‑rate impact is about 1.29% before chargebacks and equalization changes were discussed at length.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288259,"Starpoint moves to districtwide 'science of reading' instruction for elementary grades",1385,2917000,4302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9&start=2917&end=4302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2542157-55207cbf80cb496ea484454717fa89c9/thumbnail_2917000.jpg","/articles/6288259/New-York/Starpoint-moves-to-districtwide-science-of-reading-instruction-for-elementary-grades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288259-fdabaadae981f2518a84471fdaed8daa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148603&Signature=HSivl4CH05f4OiHFENquD2NivNuJ912OdLRZQtlS-uqrYX~cWcccV2nVp3SwSXcpVTpczFeU50Nj8yRUgi2~4fhy~ls~MHMMBPKcj-HTsJpe0sduWE3Ekr4SnA6PpqKl9FvXAOaLJ8K6bRVCQmNAlja62J2rPf3ZlQK6M46FRxyNMG4znvsri4kTTEQn9l49EN5397nJl2LkKTEe-Loc3FCgrdWOMpxr58N-WzW6-jH4qxuSNal9tdyIyfP3uCdc2PSqeDsYukN9~4RqUINm0P6jd~IbBF23iR6q4e7vW4Lvx4S9qWVJGGn-IsOnMktrPvIenzlxg5i4tMlSOS9mag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Starpoint Central School District administrators told the board Thursday that the district is shifting to a coordinated, research-based “science of reading” program for early grades and expanding it into fourth and fifth grades to close post‑COVID learning gaps.

The district’s literacy team said the change makes explicit, daily phonics and word‑recognition instruction part of every classroom’s tier‑1 instruction. “We’re trying to incorporate more science of reading into our literacy program,” Tracy Thompson, teacher on special assignment for K–5 literacy, said during the presentation.

District leaders said the statewide data and local assessments showed gaps after interrupted in‑person instruction during the pandemic and that New York State’s new education law requiring explicit reading instruction for pre‑K through grade 3 influenced the local work. Administrators described a plan that pairs Foundations in lower grades and Just Words (for grades 4–5) as universal tier‑1 instruction while continuing Wilson Reading System as the intensive tier‑3 intervention for students who need it.

Thompson and Principal Monica Deglue described the supports used to put the program in place: summer training for teachers, on‑site coaching by the district literacy coach (Thompson), use of RTI teachers as internal trainers and a program of common assessments and professional development. Thompson said she has taught the Just Words lessons herself so she can better support teachers implementing the curriculum.

School staff shared winter benchmark results comparing fall to winter showing shifts from the district’s highest‑need tiers into higher performance bands. Thompson said the district’s winter benchmark showed “88% at benchmark at winter,” a level she described as the highest midpoint the district has recorded for that cohort. Administrators urged caution in interpreting gains but called the trends “encouraging,” noting that some cohorts missed formative kindergarten and first‑grade instruction because of pandemic hybrid schedules.

The presentation included classroom examples of Foundations lessons, guided reading groups and teacher work on common grade‑level goals and assessments. Administrators said they will continue to align prioritized standards, revise parent‑facing language on report cards and maintain regular benchmarking and data reviews.

The board did not take formal action on the presentation; the literacy update was provided as part of administrative reports. Board members praised the work and asked that the district continue to share data as implementation continues.

The district identified the key next steps as continuing tier‑1 instruction until gaps close, expanding Just Words through grade 5 next year, maintaining Wilson for intensive instruction and continuing coaching and common assessment work to track progress.","Starpoint Central School District leaders told the board they are implementing evidence-based phonics instruction across kindergarten through fifth grade, using Foundations and Just Words as tier‑1 curriculum and Wilson for intensive support; early winter benchmark data showed increased students at grade-level.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine consent items, accepts bids for 2023 capital project Phase 1b

Board hears concerns about governor’s proposed ‘bell‑to‑bell’ phone ban and practical challenges

Students showcase inventions, arts and club achievements at Starpoint board meeting

Starpoint budget presentation: $71M plan, modest tax‑rate increase projected and equalization shifts explained

Starpoint moves to districtwide 'science of reading' instruction for elementary grades