[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6608212,"mediaKeyId","2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa","parentId",2940162,"title","Board approves routine consent items and accepts Pelham Education Foundation grants","audioSeconds",5710,"startMs",3046000,"endMs",8756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa&start=3046&end=8756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa/thumbnail_3046000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608212/New-York/Board-approves-routine-consent-items-and-accepts-Pelham-Education-Foundation-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608212-34ade420864535af08bb1fe733fe64c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017500&Signature=iClD0GKlj4gfoMctx12vfQxtVFn5LUhzG7HXbuCDJbLjdwaFm20xmf4y8LXVYOQqFvZ8JNhhNco16ytJwfIwINGSPXws8d9nkbrjuXTjooBF6uPST1ZqGyDtNyFWGbWfy-4dy2bGiGa1WeVgcL9R~QUhRGGSTQEbIGv17tIBjw4LlNmckfjjVO5roiNu5BWTxRGR4U0WeLdHfjwkCf50TqCGzJOVRl5vbuHRbgWYX~iU1fghoKJuN08dlyxhjnjpVTt9dLkEHOt1sdH2vuoT-Q3jzGNljNyn3Qdhey-SpuUIpZNAyjde~yF4XB2eHtifWW1BYVyyUVVv~QgO98otzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PELHAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-10T01:38:35.18Z","article","The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education approved multiple consent agendas and accepted two monetary donations during its April 9 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes approval (meeting minutes from February dates referenced): Approved by voice vote; transcript records the motion, a second and a voice vote of “Aye” with no recorded roll-call tally.

- Consent agenda 4.1–4.6 (various routine approvals): Approved by voice vote; motion and second recorded, vote carried.

- Consent agenda 7.1–7.4 (including the reapproved school-year calendar): Approved by voice vote; motion and second recorded, vote carried.

- Consent agenda 8.1–9.1 (routine personnel and related items): Approved by voice vote; motion and second recorded, vote carried.

- Donations accepted from the Pelham Education Foundation:
• Grant #2507 — $9,005.40 for “Hands on learning: Illuminating minds with light tables and manipulatives.”
• Grant #2508 — $6,524.90 for “Enhancing visual storytelling in the PMHS yearbook.”

Each donation acceptance was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records “Aye” with no roll-call or numeric vote tally.

Procedural notes: The transcript records these actions as voice votes; specific yes/no counts or named roll-call votes were not provided in the meeting transcript. Where specifics were not on the record, the board’s action is reported as “approved” per the meeting minutes language presented to the board.

Ending: The board adjourned following routine business; the budget adoption vote is scheduled for April 22.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Events from the Pelham Public Schools -","oneSentenceSummary","The Pelham Board of Education approved minutes and multiple consent agenda bundles and accepted two Pelham Education Foundation grants during the April 9 meeting; actions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript.","taxTitle","PELHAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",48009,"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},6608216,"Resident urges support for Siwonoy renovation; bond steering committee begins community briefings",3625,3365000,6990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa&start=3365&end=6990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa/thumbnail_3365000.jpg","/articles/6608216/New-York/Resident-urges-support-for-Siwonoy-renovation-bond-steering-committee-begins-community-briefings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608216-a0073f44547de30668ec3bac4ccde5e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017500&Signature=SPUP2fhlmm0PvBv9Ea~yM3GDad7l0Rt0TznQ6ZtVYMWbfZLFOWGKP7qSVogOKwhAa6slgEvgTWUT9y8Jw0ZyONJWz70aPBXTaJWLUy5l09oVbRUTy0VrZ1jec4iB3penZrj~~rpXCBi4g6zRxL0WIQnaPW1dmF0H9YOhX5pqsYFnUM7JWubUP1RHm19BkBi9RwmT6hjpmxl5K~pp0NqzjK8W14VAgCpVsUTNHk3zbrt5dyLtnz5y2yczQ67INeDq0oYWnFuDxYmiZIjwddyYBNzO1yHmklITfLSRbAwbgiKCUJpi-EiVmrzZ8QXqTNokAG~NFUFhFpWsObldKRYJYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the April 9 board meeting, resident Allison Davidson urged trustees to support both bond propositions for the Siwonoy School renovation, citing limited ADA accessibility and safety incidents she said demonstrated the need for timely work. “It is absolutely inexcusable that in 2025, in a relatively affluent community, we have a school that does not meet ADA compliant codes,” Davidson said. She told the board she lives near the school and that construction will affect her family during work, but urged the community to back the propositions.

Separately, the board reported that the bond steering committee convened an introductory meeting with appointed community members. Trustees said the committee’s role is advisory: members bring professional and community perspectives to review staging, communications and construction oversight. The committee includes local residents with experience in development and construction and will advise district staff and the architect through design and construction if voters approve the propositions.

Nut graf: Why this matters — bond approvals will determine capital work affecting school accessibility, safety and long-term facilities. Community outreach and transparent staging plans will be central to public understanding and the vote outcome.

District officials said bond steering will help shape communications, staging and phasing considerations; staff expect to meet again before the May vote to finalize outreach and to continue meeting regularly if the bond is approved to advise during design and construction.

Ending: The board and staff encouraged residents to review the bond materials online and attend upcoming information sessions; the bond vote will be part of the district’s May public process.

","A Pelham resident urged the board to support two bond propositions for Siwonoy school improvements, citing ADA shortcomings and safety concerns. Separately, the district’s bond steering committee held an introductory meeting to advise on community outreach and project staging ahead of the bond vote.",{"_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},6608219,"District pauses computer-based ELA testing after statewide vendor outage; makeups scheduled for May",221,7589000,7810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa&start=7589&end=7810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa/thumbnail_7589000.jpg","/articles/6608219/New-York/District-pauses-computer-based-ELA-testing-after-statewide-vendor-outage-makeups-scheduled-for-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608219-aec22f3ccd3058331048cc89bb1465e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017500&Signature=iB9OGNrId8GXV6yCy5l~1ACKrwxQ3PMz9o-1EqfLvhZSXvPjPssarIi95ZJQKusUskEFzflwNtUtq~gRrEllpYSZ48M3KlbqjWyuWRzFadOxO7EiyerWNVs-eJdED7-09uSQxumjP18u3S7Ll1Mpjb0PJgde-R0diSQdU9TCJ3c4eNWQ59frf4ntAEBDZEtjjWh-lwCy~iiG4smTqLA45mtV76RlpB5x03zxK5OT4I9RQfyuZIBgEPsy~IcfXbH3eLz44zgKMJ-d~KZAs9GnzVGpzXobMzYByKIODS2EJjuL9FeHeTYE5zGqmo65TunBjERhxaWvx3rT23AH-UQf9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pelham Union Free School District paused computer-based English-language-arts testing for grades 3–5 on April 8–9 after students statewide reported login failures and slow platform performance with the vendor contracted by the New York State Education Department.

Assistant Superintendent for Assessment (speaker identified as John Ceballos/technology staff during discussion) and Superintendent Dr. Champ said the vendor (a Northeast evaluation vendor under NYSED contract) experienced technical problems that prevented students from reliably logging on and completing assessments. NYSED notified districts that it was aware of the issues and working with the vendor; district staff said NYSED initially reported the incident affected about 10 percent of districts, although local district contacts suggested the outages were concentrated in Westchester-area systems.

“We decided to pause for the day and hope they give them 24 hours to work out their glitches and resume,” Dr. Champ said. After attempting testing again the following day, Pelham staff reported similar or worse slowness and paused testing again to avoid extending students’ instructional disruption.

The district will offer make-up test dates in May and is coordinating proctoring and scheduling to minimize impacts on instruction and student stress. Technology staff continued to monitor the vendor system and collaborate with regional partners.

Ending: The district said it will publish make-up dates and encouraged families to watch district communications; staff noted the statewide rollout of computer-based testing has increased in scope this year and technical problems in vendor systems can have outsized effects on instructional time.

","Pelham district paused Grades 3–5 ELA computer-based testing after students statewide experienced login and performance issues with the vendor platform. The district rescheduled make-up testing for May and said it will limit instructional disruption while the vendor and NYSED work to resolve back-end issues.",{"_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},6608221,"Pelham board and staff debate budget trade-offs, residency reviews and a small clerical hire to speed e-registration",2898,3519000,6417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa&start=3519&end=6417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2940162-430ae0fca344e5a28e39e01c2b8073aa/thumbnail_3519000.jpg","/articles/6608221/New-York/Pelham-board-and-staff-debate-budget-trade-offs-residency-reviews-and-a-small-clerical-hire-to-speed-e-registration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608221-c2ba7655c37887f8f9376321a063c1a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017500&Signature=mmYRqCkeK2T6BTNlz7r-~Fa86pBehaQbaRDy4xHN9LjAVW7tGFlCfui5Lzw-SJRcnRiYWJeGr-2OqJFh7neIe2-Se19~~-YpP~5xsM7ZMiOlkiPu1vG9ZJwllEQOvR1KUT0AWzcZ4mtlGKzLmab64lWW8tdm~6VNhtFXN9v67vYxaRHyS0EIEqXcIXjSiPy6hV5oCqQxRP7~bFVPhKPsj9n~7ckeAzOJc6RnRLoPx5RQYlA3Qbq6OoK1zSHea-z-4WI72b7OeZmSJMqqtCDV5aoR1cPnaatA08hhYrQ0LcWuYhDVytIj5fL9e1YjYBYs4qb3ORO74iXmqT11ZYABHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education and district staff spent the April 9 meeting focused on final questions about the 2025-26 school budget, a planned move toward more electronic student registration and how the district handles residency investigations.

Board President Jackie (last name not specified) opened discussion by reminding the public that the board will vote on the budget next Tuesday and said the proposal aims to “control our biggest expense — our teachers — while not disturbing robust programming.”

District staff described the budget drivers and options. A major revenue shift in the proposal is the scheduled decline in state building aid tied to prior capital projects; staff said that drop is roughly $850,000 and was expected. Finance staff noted the district’s foundation and transportation aid came in favorably this year, and that overall state aid remains positive despite the building-aid reduction.

“Absent that drop off, you could see a year-to-year increase of about 2.4 percent,” said a finance staff member identified in the meeting as Jim. The proposed tax-levy increase in the budget presented to the board is 3.69 percent. Finance committee members and staff discussed drawing more from the district’s debt-service fund to lower that levy. Staff said applying an additional $150,000 from debt-service reserves (for a total of $2,225,000) would reduce the proposed levy increase to about 3.48 percent.

Nut graf: Why this matters — property-tax increases and district staff levels were the meeting’s central trade-offs. The board must balance keeping class programming and staff resources while managing tax impact for residents; state aid changes and one-time fund-balance choices will affect both near-term taxes and future budget flexibility.

Residency verification and proposed registration changes

Board members repeatedly returned to student residency enforcement, a recurring community concern. District staff lead on residency investigations (Jim) described the process: investigations can include surveillance by a contracted investigator, notice to families, a final determination and a statutorily available appeal to the State Education Department that can stall removal for months. Staff cautioned that re-registering students annually would likely generate many false positives, require sustained clerical time and could trigger more investigations and associated legal costs.

Superintendent Dr. Champ said moving more registration to an electronic system would help flag discrepancies, but that the clerical cost to run a re-registration program is only part of the picture. “The clerical cost is one piece, but it’s not the full picture of what it would take to bring on this full process,” Dr. Champ said, noting follow-up work, document review and potential legal steps can raise costs beyond simple data entry.

Staff presented a low-cost operational option: hire a part-time clerical person (approximately 15 hours per week) at an estimated hourly wage to focus on re-registration at milestone grades (for example transitions into Grade 6 and Grade 9). That staffer was estimated at roughly $16,000 annually at the rate used in the discussion; staff and board flagged that the estimate assumes ideal response rates and does not include follow-up investigation, legal costs or extended chase work if families do not respond. Alternatives discussed included a seasonal full-time hire over the summer or piloting a program before making it permanent.

Board direction and next steps

Board members asked administration to return with an implementation plan and cost estimate. Several trustees signaled support for exploring a seasonal pilot or modest one-year investment; staff said they could likely identify a small contingency or reallocate approximately $16,000 if the board directed them to pilot the program this year.

Staff also reiterated that the State Education Department issued guidance discouraging full re-registration as a routine practice and that legal processes (including state appeals and federal protections when families are homeless) constrain what the district can demand or disclose in individual cases.

Ending: The board asked administration to return at the next meeting with a clearer plan and budget impacts; the board’s formal vote on the full 2025-26 budget is scheduled for April 22, ahead of the May 20 public budget vote.

","At its April 9 meeting the Pelham Union Free School District board and staff reviewed the 2025-26 budget proposal, discussed a projected drop in building aid, considered using additional debt-service reserves to lower the tax levy, and weighed adding a part-time clerical role to accelerate electronic re-registration and residency verification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine consent items and accepts Pelham Education Foundation grants

Resident urges support for Siwonoy renovation; bond steering committee begins community briefings

District pauses computer-based ELA testing after statewide vendor outage; makeups scheduled for May

Pelham board and staff debate budget trade-offs, residency reviews and a small clerical hire to speed e-registration