[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6091331,"mediaKeyId","2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5","parentId",2863243,"title","High-school student asks board to allow short-term collection boxes for pet supplies as Eagle Scout project","audioSeconds",474,"startMs",412000,"endMs",886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5&start=412&end=886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5/thumbnail_412000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091331/New-York/High-school-student-asks-board-to-allow-short-term-collection-boxes-for-pet-supplies-as-Eagle-Scout-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091331-e2afd16a283622cab37813d060045115/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967939&Signature=ElGW~CzK5CXufYTgFGOw6ORP~PzWGwVAtYwpMBVlb0z-8prQGROeOeOZfAKHZT48e7rnLvpUbOO0bIRZaFGDCXit-FsqdIg63wlRFlGfAvvyuIXQm8e8TRTr5kc4lfwEgeYWyl~LAlbx7Ss4VOvQmCZb0ObHSMNULmWn7ynUMGSD~UbEfwIFKdab8CseW4DF7P2CpdTc8RglybulhpRQuFvCQ-h0rajuXyLd8cP0TCz9HcHGSskzx9dMppBVOrshwGcD4vOBH6gm5h5y5cEAmBqNT1NO2LGx5oGAzWVlO87IZ6dp11PlTrsqk20DqSvFOXAwe727mt3qsMKXlSJm9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-03T16:23:42.423Z","article","AJ (who said his given name is Andrew Palsy) told the board he is an 11th-grader at Colony Central High School and a life scout developing an Eagle Scout project called \"Quaths for Paws\" to collect pet supplies for local animal shelters. He asked the board for permission to place decorated collection boxes inside main entrances at several schools for a limited period in April or May, depending on council paperwork processing.

AJ described the plan as a short-duration campaign to collect cleaning towels and linens, dry pet food, puppy kits and other supplies; he said his troop will supply materials and volunteers to build and decorate collection boxes. He said the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and the village hall have already given verbal support and that several boxes would be placed with principal permission. AJ also said BOCES had agreed to loan boxes and that the high school's business and graphics club would help with a pop-up kickoff.

Board members asked logistical questions about monitoring and emptying the boxes and whether principals would promote the drives. AJ said troop members (who attend the district's schools) would assist with monitoring and that he planned to contact school principals for promotion. Trustee David Kiel suggested AJ speak with principals to coordinate promotion; another trustee offered to help circulate an item list once AJ submits his paperwork. The superintendent's office said it would take the request under consideration and that Dr. Perry or staff would contact AJ to follow up.

There was no board vote on the request; administration said it would follow normal facility-permission protocols and contact the student once the internal review was complete.

AJ identified himself as a life scout and a former senior patrol leader; he said his troop number is 1077 and that he attends BOCES for video-game design and implementation. Several board members congratulated AJ on his public presentation and leadership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An 11th-grade student, referring to himself as AJ, described an Eagle Scout project to place decorated donation boxes in several district buildings to collect pet supplies for local shelters; the board took the request under consideration and said the superintendent's office will follow up.","taxTitle","SOUTH COLONIE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",53286,"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},6091335,"Board approves minutes, policy revisions, personnel items, resolutions and sole-source pre-K curriculum; emergency pesticide use authorized",2600,205000,2805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5&start=205&end=2805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6091335/New-York/Board-approves-minutes-policy-revisions-personnel-items-resolutions-and-sole-source-pre-K-curriculum-emergency-pesticide-use-authorized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091335-a06992312443fdf834aa1eca19ce1a9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967939&Signature=GsTzCClmSjL776j7y~dqDs5TWWQcHcYtEUoI1nm3L-ttAruvqlE3z3R0o8Gf0DWoKiF~~EfwqDMmuK3tp191Pa7A7W6N4Vb4LqXD3RfDTNqVaq5ufkDzWtlwx9kk7C2RhordRgFRg6ZtJhimCmVrNKX3H8mgOVCftAGavQKrNz11Qmf-4iiysWPiDK6Is5HdYXYHYRnHbNo-wxEYFYeo3wKFaoJlirndr1ADMC6EusgbtdWj994toGPD~r1PTfxLb8l6cJTDtma7cBEhM40QrQKCF1XqS324BttY5jd-CFwOpgj67W2FXC4~816aIp5SuKCzLg8zRvdIpM6stBjiPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education recorded unanimous votes on multiple routine and policy items at its March 11 meeting. Board actions included approval of minutes from the Feb. 25 regular meeting, two policy revisions, personnel appointments, several resolutions and a sole-source purchase for a prekindergarten curriculum. An emergency pesticide-use resolution for prescribed areas of the high-school fields was also approved.

All recorded motions below passed 9-0 unless noted.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (regular meeting of Feb. 25, 2025). Motion made by Thomas Blakely; seconded by Rose Gabriello. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Policy revisions. The policy committee recommended final approval of two policies listed in the meeting packet as 8130 and 8131 (stream risk protection order and pandemic plan revisions). Motion presented on behalf of the policy committee (committee chair cited in packet). Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Reports and recommendations (letters a through e in meeting packet), including a change order for additional parking stalls at Shaker Road Elementary. Motion made by Mr. Keane; seconded by Mr. Masek. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Instruction personnel changes (pages 9-10 of the packet): approvals included coaching appointments, reappointments and retirements noted in the packet. Motion made by Mr. Casey; seconded by Mr. Keane. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Support personnel changes (pages 11-13): routine appointments and resignations. Motion made by Mr. Blakely; seconded by Mr. Meisick. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Resolutions: National Autism Awareness Month and National School Library Month. Motion made by Christopher Larrabee; seconded by Mr. Casey. Outcome: approved, 9-0. Administration noted there are 76 students identified with autism receiving special education services as background information provided to the board.

- Sole-source resolution authorizing the purchase of a pre-K curriculum referred to in the packet as \"Pre K on My Way\" (identified by staff as a New York State-approved package and presented as a sole-source purchase because Scholastic Educational Solutions is the listed provider). Motion made by Rose Gabriello; seconded by Thomas Blakely. Board members asked clarifying questions about the use of the term \"sole source\" versus \"single source;\" administration said the vendor is the sole provider of the chosen package on the approved list. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Emergency pesticide-use resolution for specified high-school athletic fields to address invasive weeds and crabgrass. Administration said the application will be limited to prescribed field locations, scheduled when the fields are not in use (application planned for a weekend) and that parents and the community will be notified with pesticide information and Safety Data Sheets. Motion made by Mr. Casey; seconded by Christopher Larrabee. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

- Adjournment: Motion made by Mr. Keane; seconded by Mr. Blakely. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

Several items on the agenda were informational only (notably the first-draft budget presentation) and will return to the board for further action on the dates in the meeting timeline.","At its March 11 meeting the South Colonie Board of Education approved meeting minutes, policy revisions, personnel appointments, two monthly resolutions, a sole-source pre-K curriculum purchase and an emergency pesticide-use resolution; all recorded motions carried unanimously.",{"_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},6091341,"South Colonie presents first-draft 2025-26 budget with 3.49% levy increase tied to capital project",884,986000,1870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5&start=986&end=1870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2863243-75697f625914f65ca6a36596abba14f5/thumbnail_986000.jpg","/articles/6091341/New-York/South-Colonie-presents-first-draft-2025-26-budget-with-349-levy-increase-tied-to-capital-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091341-6f41e6328680c538c636334ce4c1026a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967939&Signature=IuPvdchIshOmK1PXHY1o1LWTTWisoptzurNwxFd7O77-nLTh7ikl~zPaAfHJgomkaKb0bmmxoKUNpAy~1AWgVXo9TwYb4HaxWlVMvBVjC77GKI7ao8yomeM3hDu2bsK4OCoboLq7ucHCU5badlAjIq-x9IYtupfI5U~PSZoYylm4fZEY5cZsMfjbVANwL72I4RJtbmR4kjlzllPsoqMGS4kj7HdI4fBIpt56WDmPD4XpPpj3yi29tSTh-qShM8xSgWKTygz0wB2rQpi3mE21nF-Ys~IAj4FN-bQbIAIVkWv6M8WIMfNd8Iv~dk936alvh2Yd4JfcBoYH0RkVZjuuXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Perry and finance staff presented the South Colonie Central School District's first draft of the 2025-26 budget at the March 11 board meeting, proposing a 3.49% tax-levy increase tied to the district's next-generation capital project.

The draft calls for $139,000,000 in proposed expenditures, roughly $10,000,000 higher than the current year, with the majority of that increase attributed to capital project expenses. The district reports a preliminary budget gap of $164,000 as of March 11; board staff described several gap-closing options, including use of assigned fund balance and selective reductions.

The administration said the 3.49% levy figure reflects three components that feed the tax-cap calculation: the allowable levy growth factor, the tax base growth factor and a capital exclusion tied to the capital project. Without the capital exclusion the levy increase would be about 2.5%, staff said; the additional 1% is the capital exclusion voters approved in October 2022, the presentation said.

In a detailed presentation, Director of Finance (presented by Miss McAllister with Mr. Kachidori joining on instructional components) outlined key assumptions and proposed additions in the draft budget. Instructional priorities cited include academic equity, sustaining programs across five elementary schools, strengthening high school career pathways and next-generation facilities upgrades. Specific proposed personnel additions listed in the draft include:

- Two teachers at Glacier Kill (elementary) (positions not filled yet).
- A 0.5 full-time equivalent business teacher at the high school (with potential to expand to a full position if demand rises).
- Two interventionists focused on middle-school writing support.
- A grades 7-12 science supervisor to succeed an upcoming retirement.
- Special-education additions: an elementary and middle school teacher, a school psychologist and other PPS positions; a previously discussed UPK interventionist was confirmed to be included in the instruction totals.

Class size projections were presented as a \"rollover\" snapshot; presenters said current projections assume stable enrollment but noted the district historically can see up to about a 60-student increase between March and the fall and that the draft includes buffers to absorb moderate enrollment shifts.

On operations and capital, staff discussed a planned furniture replacement cycle tied to ongoing renovations and a planned increase in debt service to pay for capital work. The budget presentation estimated overall increases in general support (6.31%), instruction (3.32%), transportation (3.65%) and benefits; debt service was identified as the largest driver of overall growth.

Transportation and the electric-bus proposal were called out specifically. The administration proposed adding one electric 24-passenger Type A school bus this year (in addition to the regular replacement of diesel buses). The bus purchase is paired with a New York State Bus Incentive Program voucher expected to cover approximately $161,000 of the $326,000 bus cost; the administration said the district's net cost for that electric bus would be about $164,050. Staff said the chosen bus can use existing chargers at school buildings and would not require additional infrastructure at the current bus facility. Board staff said approval of a bus purchase is required for eligibility for certain National Grid make-ready grants for the new transportation facility.

The presentation concluded with the budget timeline: a second draft on April 8 (at Shaker Road), formal adoption and approval of the property tax report card on April 23, a public hearing on May 6 and the voter proposition on May 20.

Board members asked clarifying questions about specific line items and programs. One board member asked whether items such as music therapy and a speech assistant tech remained under consideration; finance staff said music therapy is expected to be a contractual expense rather than a new recurring district-funded line, and that some items would add to the gap if adopted. Staff said they were still collecting final BOCES and insurance estimates that could change the gap figure.

The draft presented March 11 is informational and no board vote was taken on the budget at the meeting. Staff asked the board to review the draft, provide feedback and prepare for the April 8 follow-up.","Superintendent and finance staff presented a first draft of the 2025-26 general fund budget that proposes a 3.49% tax-levy increase, driven largely by the district's ongoing capital project and associated debt; the draft includes staff additions, a proposed electric school bus purchase and a $164,000 preliminary gap.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

High-school student asks board to allow short-term collection boxes for pet supplies as Eagle Scout project

Board approves minutes, policy revisions, personnel items, resolutions and sole-source pre-K curriculum; emergency pesticide use authorized

South Colonie presents first-draft 2025-26 budget with 3.49% levy increase tied to capital project