[{"_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",6266564,"mediaKeyId","3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09","parentId",3087059,"title","Board introduces superintendent candidate Doug Lawrence as search nears conclusion","audioSeconds",85,"startMs",1437000,"endMs",1522000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09&start=1437&end=1522","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266564/New-York/Board-introduces-superintendent-candidate-Doug-Lawrence-as-search-nears-conclusion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266564-2fcd5b560ea4ce860c3b01515e08e74d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890583&Signature=aO0qjzYcdy8zQSYziF1mSOvYFKveTj2YJ07TKR3Lze5JabelDQWQ7nXRHIPw6XHOz7LBdQGMNlZKnRRWkTCrhf1NknfKewI~jTLWnwE4jBa5E4MqpQiKTbeNgxIVgOdzMVEaS3FZcHGg9j6TfUM7Q1ayvqq5htq4kMY4gMNTV-F5-KAqBt03TTm7sG~yiupbU4YaLJSOUN51~L5AY4B~DNyQDK~2flvYn2TCLBkJXxC2QtyaF~a0xA0Y6V66dSaaexi7fKSJxa7oD3eqUrBXLwvAH3D6hmABIalxRO9lF5eTqTM2JG0YNg4R2g~p5Uc8bGM7lIaCo2ZHaO0e1NyR1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T00:21:59.147Z","article","The Fulton City School District board told the public it is in the final stages of completing a closed superintendent search and introduced the candidate expected to take the role in July.

“While this is not an official announcement, it's kind of a little soft announcement, that we are hoping will be more final at the May when we come to, our next meeting,” said a member of the board’s leadership during the president’s report, noting the district has conducted a closed search and interviewed candidates. The board said it hoped to bring a resolution to a future meeting after finalizing contract details.

The candidate, Doug Lawrence, attended Tuesday's meeting and addressed the board and community. “It's been a great process. I wanna first thank the Board of Education for entrusting me with this position,” Lawrence said, adding he looked forward to working with district staff and the community and that he anticipated beginning duties in July.

The board did not take a formal vote to appoint a superintendent at this meeting; members described the introduction as a public step in finalizing details and thanked the community for patience while contract items are completed.

Ending: The board said it expects to return to the topic at its May meeting with a formal resolution once contract negotiations are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FCSD Board of Education Meeting 4/22/25 @ 6PM (At the Ed Center on 4th Street)","oneSentenceSummary","Board chair and superintendent announced the district is in final stages of hiring a superintendent; Doug Lawrence was introduced to the public but no formal appointment was voted at the meeting.","taxTitle","FULTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38844,"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},6266569,"Fulton high school moves AP social-studies courses toward SUNY dual-enrollment model",780,1634000,2414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09&start=1634&end=2414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6266569/New-York/Fulton-high-school-moves-AP-social-studies-courses-toward-SUNY-dual-enrollment-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266569-2cf6ee41745287141a02a9ea9b5b0d9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890583&Signature=JF6HvDpT~Fa5INvHTdkQaN18h2P8FhNMadmeKr5shJ1DJcxgDmVUNWYwY19AgxUtAAyDaiFc2oy4Ge6RLAZgvwpFYSiF9x1p7LUKJLXHVJ-3XAqMaj~ffrIDCCg~IRVxHX9bf0Vp-cu4Qm36~Imb3c~WN58C0ZWUfTAJx9-S4M4zia8Hg9oCuLyhWc3mskO-VHSRqSwh0edBQUdivPHJ34gNt~g9LnpDDKN8csYI178kdyRV60A2OL8NiRSwW502LFP00YObRvjgPRxX8vM2HY-aj-yv3l9riHNRtPAABfGmJdkx~GhPU0EwKweB2tSDEz0l-VukUfISDBfPgGiChQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fulton City School District social-studies department proposed replacing several Advanced Placement (AP) social-studies courses with college dual-enrollment sequences that a student can take for SUNY credit.

Nate Pacillo, social studies department chair at the high school, presented the proposal to the board and said the change aims to increase students’ guaranteed college credits and reduce the barrier of a single exit exam. “Dual Enrollment is much more in the hands of the teacher,” Pacillo said, arguing that students’ year-long course grades better reflect mastery than a one-off AP exam.

Under the plan, the district would partner with community colleges (referred to in the presentation as CCC and OCC) to offer courses equivalent to college-level Western Civilization and World Civilization in a fall/spring sequence. Pacillo said Western Civilization and World Civilization courses would replace AP World for sophomores, producing six college credits across the year. A similar two-course sequence would be offered for U.S. history for juniors, providing additional college credit. The district already runs college-credit agreements for some AP STEM courses, Pacillo said.

The athletics and instructional staff raised practical points during the discussion: CCC requires teachers to be approved to deliver college credit, and its standards can include a master’s degree or equivalent college credits in the subject-area. Pacillo said CCC had already approved two high-school teachers for the initiative; economics is more complicated because some staff members do not meet CCC’s credit requirement, and the district is also exploring alternatives through OCC.

Pacillo and board members cited student outcomes and cost savings as drivers. Pacillo said AP exam pass rates have declined from pre-COVID levels — “we're going back pre-COVID, probably 2018, '19,” he said — and that while roughly 25–30 students each year take AP World, only around 10–15 students passed the AP exam in recent years. He added that AP exams cost students roughly $91 each, while community college sections tied to dual enrollment had lower or no direct student costs.

Board members and staff said the plan would expand college-credit opportunities for students and reduce obstacles for students who perform well in class but do not succeed on a single high-stakes test. The district said it will submit syllabi to partner colleges, maintain shared grading standards, and keep local counselors involved in advising.

Ending: The board heard the full presentation and indicated support for piloting the dual-enrollment sequences next year, subject to formal approvals by the partner colleges and final staffing and scheduling decisions.

","Fulton’s social-studies department told the board it plans to replace AP World and AP U.S. courses with college dual-enrollment sequences in partnership with local SUNY providers to increase credit transfer rates and student success.",{"_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},6266574,"Fulton board adopts tentative $94.2 million 2025-26 budget, proposes 1.9% tax levy increase",3066,2959000,6025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09&start=2959&end=6025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087059-a7efdb35a41b3b612c9bcf85be8aec09/thumbnail_2959000.jpg","/articles/6266574/New-York/Fulton-board-adopts-tentative-942-million-2025-26-budget-proposes-19-tax-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266574-6daa6cab9ae50f6b125ac0948139cbf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890583&Signature=NxVzuRmW3S1EXpar7Y-J-zr2byG3Wf8iGxt8DXUq5dRJCjL39J9RNmoV2mB8Ntqtw11ROk7X02Wq2-wcy8uHFxxMgdUk5WmdNO6g9V7cRVP69Zo6Zz9XBQOVdnoparQeprTD1EkuoZpype~X5HDNn~cN8Q-UFSxQn7ZZnXJ0N-lnECdHF2vpIoc~u8NLGexXjs4FBMHu07Eoj5WwSLCYlze0r3TRybGur66rwgwPvaPILVKqwIYS19fsR~Hd99qQbeF4PxeaGVXjgn71hwSJ1uGX1mhxcYfYegaP2-mwdVkZqPUB-oGJYOIjMY333pDGcqM30eUBvKh9yD869p3OLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fulton City School District Board of Education on Tuesday approved a tentative $94,197,840 budget for the 2025–26 school year and proposed a 1.9% increase to the district tax levy.

The vote followed a detailed presentation from district finance staff and months of public budget forums. Kate Hooper, the district business official, told the board the tentative budget represents a 6.45% increase in total spending from the current year and includes using $3,850,000 from district reserves to help close the gap between revenue and expenditures.

“We're proposing a 1.9% increase to the tax levy,” Kate Hooper said during the presentation, adding that state aid is expected to remain the district’s largest revenue source at roughly 68.9% and that the district has budgeted for significant increases in health-care and energy costs.

Why it matters: Hooper and board members said steep increases in employee health insurance and higher utility and contract costs drove much of the pressure on next year’s budget. The district also said it reduced its initial rollover budget — about $99 million — by roughly $5.1 million through cuts to supplies, services and by planning position reductions primarily through retirements and resignations.

Key specifics included in the presentation:
- Tentative budget total: $94,197,840 (6.45% increase over current year).
- Proposed tax levy increase: 1.9% (estimated impact: about $34.58 per year on a $100,000-assessed house, using prior-year rates).
- Planned use of reserves: $3,850,000 (employees’ retirement reserves and a small amount from reserves for accrued liabilities).
- Budget components: 75.7% program, 14.7% capital, 9.6% administrative.

Hooper emphasized that employee benefits — driven by health insurance — are the primary area of concern. She showed a 10-year trend in district health costs that the district said have risen roughly 55% over the last three years and warned that, without mitigation, benefits could drive end-of-year overexpenditures.

The board also reviewed reductions made while preparing the budget. The district listed 59 position reductions as part of its adjustments; administrators said many of those were achieved through attrition (retirements and resignations) and by reallocating some noninstructional positions rather than outright layoffs. The superintendent’s office said, for example, that reduced one-to-one aides in some cases as student needs changed and that some of the noninstructional reductions come from decreased need rather than program elimination.

Superintendent Pallvino and other board members repeatedly urged residents to vote. Board members and staff warned that if voters reject the budget the district could be forced into a contingency budget under state rules, which would prohibit any tax levy increase. The district provided examples of what a contingency budget would cut: equipment purchases, some extracurricular advisors and field trip funding, paid substitutes for clerical work, and use of district buildings by outside groups. The administration said those cuts would disproportionately affect extracurricular activities and nonacademic functions rather than core classroom instruction, but added that contingency budgets offer “little room for anything extra.”

The board held a roll-call vote to approve the tentative budget. The motion passed by board vote and the record shows the board approved the tentative budget by voice vote and roll call during the meeting.

Public comment and debate: Community speaker Frank Castillo used the public forum to press for outside audits and criticized some district spending choices; he said he had asked the state attorney general’s office and the controller’s office to audit district finances. “I have requested an audit by the attorney general's office,” Castillo said. Board members responded that some of the questions he raised had been addressed previously and that staff would follow up.

Next steps and timeline: The board will present the tentative budget to voters on the scheduled budget vote (the meeting materials cited a May 20 budget vote). If voters approve the tentative budget, the board will ratify it the following day. If the budget is defeated, the district can either present a revised budget for a revote or adopt a contingency budget in accordance with state requirements.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded during the meeting):
- Approve agenda — passes (voice vote).
- Approve minutes (action 1.06, April 8 meeting) — passes 6-0-0.
- Accept March financials (action 4.01) — passes 5-0-0.
- Accept donation from Fulton Lions Club (action 4.02) — passes 5-0-0.
- Accept donation from Fulton Savings Bank (action 4.03) — passes 5-0-0.
- Proclamation: Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025 (action 5.01, resolution) — passes 5-0-0.
- Approve tentative 2025–26 budget (roll call) — passed (recorded as approved during roll call in session).
- Adopt 2025–26 property tax report card (action 5.03) — passes 5-0-0.
- Approve sponsorship of continuing education for adult education programs (action 5.04) — passes 5-0-0.
- Approve Committee on Special Education recommendations (action 5.05) — passes 5-0-0.
- Personnel approvals (batch 07/2001–07/2009, including winter sports appointment correction) — passes 5-0-0.
- Move into executive session — passes 5-0-0.
- Adjourn (action 9.01) — passes 5-0-0.

Ending: Board officials reiterated contact points and documents for residents who want more detail: the budget slide deck and presentation materials will be posted on the district budget web pages and voters can submit questions by email to the district clerk.","The Fulton City School District board approved a tentative $94,197,840 budget for 2025–26 and a proposed 1.9% tax levy increase. Leaders cited rising health-care and utility costs, reductions made through attrition and reserves drawn to balance the budget, and outlined contingency consequences if voters reject the plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board introduces superintendent candidate Doug Lawrence as search nears conclusion

Fulton high school moves AP social-studies courses toward SUNY dual-enrollment model

Fulton board adopts tentative $94.2 million 2025-26 budget, proposes 1.9% tax levy increase