New York State testing scheduled to begin post-break amid technical concerns

The Board of Education held a regular meeting and preliminary budget hearing on April 10, 2025, addressing key topics including the upcoming New York State 3 through 8 testing and the district's budget planning for the upcoming year.

During the meeting, officials clarified that the district has not yet begun the state assessments, which are scheduled to start after the spring break. Despite reports of technical difficulties in other districts, the board reassured the community that they have not experienced any interruptions in service. The assessments are planned to be conducted within a month-long window, allowing for flexibility and minimizing potential disruptions.

In addition to testing updates, the board celebrated recent achievements in the arts and technology. They congratulated the cast and crew of the musical "Newsies" for their successful performances, highlighting the talent and hard work that went into the production. The board also recognized three elementary hackathon teams from Wilson, Covert, and Watson schools for their participation in a multi-district competition. Although they did not win, their impressive performance was noted, with Covert School receiving the district trophy for highest performance.

The meeting transitioned to the preliminary budget hearing, where Mr. Gavin introduced the budget presentation. Ms. Rehak outlined the budget process, emphasizing that this meeting serves as a critical step before the budget is adopted. The board has already reviewed various components of the budget in previous meetings, and this session allows for final adjustments before the formal budget hearing on May 8. The public will have another opportunity to review and comment on the budget before the annual election and vote scheduled for May 20.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to transparency in testing and budget processes while celebrating student achievements in both the arts and technology.