[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6609798,"mediaKeyId","2905700-07aaa77b713294f8fbf20957ae0ca200","parentId",2905700,"title","Niskayuna board retires 'Silver Warriors,' adopts 'Niskayuna' as interim team moniker after months of debate","audioSeconds",1553,"startMs",2692000,"endMs",4245000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905700-07aaa77b713294f8fbf20957ae0ca200&start=2692&end=4245","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905700-07aaa77b713294f8fbf20957ae0ca200/thumbnail_2692000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609798/New-York/Niskayuna-board-retires-Silver-Warriors-adopts-Niskayuna-as-interim-team-moniker-after-months-of-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609798-ae5f6911bb857a11d963867fa0c94598/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174045&Signature=ZXRdHMH9a8aMYESDO3dsF1e-jYoHrlVEygC0d9uTrcWNWII0EWhIL6u8YQJTmOYQxwEasVLYTzRDpsDaheBYNk5tnaAWvo75tp7g31~nWgVReTXEfl8pcrWL5cmR~BbdHxeazQkQUFfzd95x8QAlxMESJFflWuqsw0uAYa5gxwiU8B3KVvGT9qATrmbPsVgTvr8gOMZ6SN470whJJERPg1CXX6yCDZRir70plVMqALyhHDUAdCphBwXPKrLpR5L3jcTFnI5dmLnTl7DMEwKUUpyDkRsSrcltqNAooJ7aRF8HyJP6Sxtky84F0EDr44CP0n7PALl5IRIfYgggahCPEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-08T23:43:25.477Z","article","The Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education voted 6–1 on April 8 to retire the long‑standing 'Silver Warriors' moniker and adopt 'Niskayuna' as the district's interim team identifier.

Why it matters: The vote implements a timeline the district said requires removing use of the 'Silver Warriors' name by June 30. The decision affects athletic turf, signage and uniforms and sets a process for how the district will manage branding and future student‑led proposals.

What the board decided and why

Board members debated several options developed by a district renaming committee, which had recommended three alternatives (Silver Knights, Silver Hawks, Silver Storm) and presented survey results of students and staff. The top vote‑getter in the student/staff survey had been Silver Knights, followed closely by Silver Hawks. Board members said the survey result was narrow and that several trustees and student representatives had concerns about perceived connotations and inclusiveness for some options.

After discussion the board first rejected a motion to adopt Silver Knights and then approved a motion to adopt the district moniker 'Niskayuna' (sometimes shortened informally by speakers to \"Niski\"). The board instructed the communications office to prepare internal and external messaging and to coordinate with athletics on logistics for removing the old branding and phasing in changes.

Implementation details and community engagement

- Deadline and process: Administrators said the district is obligated to retire the 'Silver Warriors' name by June 30 and will remove branding from turf and signage by that date. Scoreboards can be modified with placards; turf removal or covering and uniform replacement will occur over time as equipment is cycled.

- Student involvement: Board members and student representatives emphasized that students and student councils may propose a new mascot or moniker in the future; the board said it would consider student‑led proposals through the district's regular process.

- Communications and art: The communications office will lead announcements and offered to run an art competition or student engagement activities to create visuals for the new moniker.

Comments from meeting participants

Student representatives reported hearing concerns among students that some proposed nicknames (for example, Knights) felt \"noninclusive\" to some because of traditional masculine associations. Board members also spoke about community values and the importance of respectful public discourse during heated debates.

Vote and immediate effect

The motion to adopt 'Niskayuna' passed 6–1. The board directed staff to begin messaging and to remove the prior moniker from district property by the June 30 deadline. Board members said teams that need uniforms or signage in the near term should proceed with the abbreviated district name while the district manages graphic standards and rollouts.

Ending note: Board members said the change is intended to comply with the district's timeline while leaving room for student‑led work on a long‑term identity if students choose to pursue it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4.8.2025 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After extended discussion and community input, the Niskayuna Central School District Board voted 6–1 on April 8 to retire the 'Silver Warriors' name and adopt 'Niskayuna' as the district moniker for teams, directing communications staff to manage branding changes ahead of a June 30 retirement deadline.","taxTitle","NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",56859,"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},6609802,"Niskayuna board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves pre-K contracts and bus proposition; discusses returning school resource officer",1991,563000,2554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905700-07aaa77b713294f8fbf20957ae0ca200&start=563&end=2554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905700-07aaa77b713294f8fbf20957ae0ca200/thumbnail_563000.jpg","/articles/6609802/New-York/Niskayuna-board-adopts-202526-budget-approves-pre-K-contracts-and-bus-proposition-discusses-returning-school-resource-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609802-1ffc1a544363437ba9dbf88e7d09f815/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174045&Signature=L0kYz0F8KbWf7FMwO7kjiv-H17I1njS28LBsiv0v5Hjy1eDlyUJaS5Exwk5xVDpKeL1YonwaoyYhwVq2vSDrxTyQtM~ywwU8JzR1xjGj2LUpY7chzBtRqnHv3nEfVL4P3~FQ8ST7vCr7CI9Y7p30W9~hIrXNMPHePd4KN8JNRzB94CiO1ySYQhW9NsXUukacsYSjroKOrc1MoFjkHY1-IleXa9w8G-PuzUHvh90MQWM8lpJpTIZstshf-0q4TPnTVYbrr9EAm2ac10Z69yw89XHg8-KjMZIKcYyrJidZPeXPRprVZlL0bLmm~o4zfRcZe~j3cbRc4E3-Kg~j9QKR3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education on April 8 approved the 2025–26 spending plan and a set of related contracts and propositions as it heads into the district budget vote on May 20.

The board adopted a budget of $116,121,281 — a 4.83% increase from the prior year — with a tax‑levy increase of 2.29%, below the district's 3.58% cap. The motion to adopt the budget passed unanimously (7–0). The budget includes roughly $2.46 million in new investments and funds 20.8 new full‑time equivalent positions, board materials showed.

Why it matters: the budget sets the district's spending and the tax levy that voters will consider May 20. The package funds additional special education and student support, expands summer programming previously funded by grants into the general fund, restores one full‑time counselor at Iroquois Middle School for the sixth‑grade reconfiguration, and adds elementary staffing and security measures the administration says respond to community priorities.

Key details and context

- New positions and priorities: The presentation highlights 20.8 positions tied to academic priorities, including expanded special education supports, a dedicated director for science and engineering technology, continued summer learning academy funding, and added counselors and custodial staffing tied to building reconfiguration at Iroquois.

- Safety and security: The budget proposes restoring one school resource officer (SRO), primarily assigned to the high school, expanding elementary security monitors (one full‑time monitor at each elementary), and adding a part‑time contracted security coordinator. The district scheduled a presentation from the town police chief to the board on April 23 to explain the proposed SRO role and to answer questions. The district plans 15 informational sessions for faculty, PTOs and community groups and a one‑page infographic describing the SRO program components and limitations.

- Revenue and fund balance: Administrators said the budget was prepared using state aid projections in the governor's proposal and that the district may adjust the levy if state aid changes after the state budget is finalized. The district intends to use the same level of assigned fund balance next year and noted increased state building aid tied to ongoing capital projects.

- Bus purchase: The board authorized a bus purchase proposition to be placed on the May 20 ballot totaling $1,685,931 to replace nine buses as part of the district's replacement cycle. Officials said updated state contract pricing reduced the needed borrowing by about $200,000 compared with earlier estimates.

- Universal pre‑K contracts: The board authorized the district's Universal Pre‑Kindergarten contracts for 2025–26: Schenectady Jewish Community Center at $111,020 and TSL Adventures at $140,400. Board members noted these contracts will roughly double available UPK seats.

- Curriculum and routine items: The board adopted the Benchmark Advanced English language arts curriculum for grades K–5. The board also approved the property tax report card for submission to the State Education Department and adopted policy updates presented as second reads. Consent agenda items were approved as presented.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes)

- Adopt 2025–26 budget (amount presented to board: $116,121,281; tax‑levy increase: 2.29%): approved, 7–0.
- Authorize contract: Schenectady Jewish Community Center — Universal Pre‑K, $111,020: approved, 7–0.
- Authorize contract: TSL Adventures — Universal Pre‑K, $140,400: approved, 7–0.
- Authorize bus purchase proposition for voter consideration, $1,685,931 (replace nine buses): approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Benchmark Advanced K–5 ELA curriculum: approved, unanimous.
- Approve property tax report card for 2025–26 and submit to State Education Department: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt second‑read policy updates listed by administration: approved, unanimous.

Discussion and next steps

Board members spent time asking for implementation detail on the SRO proposal. Administrators said the SRO estimate in the proposed budget is a town estimate of a fully loaded FTE and noted regional districts share costs under memoranda of agreement; any final memorandum of agreement would return to the board for approval. Administrators also said scoreboards can be updated with placards, turf branding will be removed where required, and uniform replacement will be gradual as items are reordered.

District officials said they will mail the required school budget notice to households and continue information sessions across the community in the weeks before the May 20 budget vote, when residents can vote at Niskayuna High School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ending note: The board recessed to an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel and financial matters; no public action was expected afterward.","On April 8, 2025, the Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education approved its 2025–26 budget, authorized two UPK contracts and a bus purchase proposition, and discussed plans to restore one school resource officer at the high school.","actionData","errors"]

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Niskayuna board retires 'Silver Warriors,' adopts 'Niskayuna' as interim team moniker after months of debate

Niskayuna board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves pre-K contracts and bus proposition; discusses returning school resource officer