[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6576359,"mediaKeyId","3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53","parentId",3120391,"title","Board unanimously adopts routine consent agenda; no other votes taken","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3552000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=3552&end=3552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_3552000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576359/New-York/Board-unanimously-adopts-routine-consent-agenda-no-other-votes-taken","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576359-8386ee5ccfe9ed1f970eced383988834/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=UThHeeu7hYLsl5dJ3aNpEj1tOKdMJ6GOQcWfpcu~ZGGmJkKDRX7dXN~yYMGwqzRetsFMdplKmP-5-YkRB7E3JBciK81tv4Mg68O2DpDAj3iCashfDTrXTlgRPlCnE9Svdgt32w4~4P65JW0Nw97yC9UkfgCVaPb7jUmCF6nynX5DKWvTPQmsBRWsBNEtWSz06IgCek~du9XNxHlQgipKH77BUkxFeISokMHpQIxE-KF6ySVBvGpQLxtVdgWEKI8JEH7WQOsWVkpQCYDBPRpouuOPMEq7EZ49ph3z2~H3yGpScKf-nUUtHuxkCsA9A17n0Mn2j5W18eYJ4HlcW-DZPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-25T02:34:06.987Z","article","During the meeting the Albany City School District Board of Education adopted its routine consent agenda by voice vote. The board’s president called for a motion; a board member moved to adopt the routine consent agenda and Vice President Abita Wilson seconded. The vote was recorded as unanimous.

District staff explained the routine consent package includes personnel actions, contracts, field trip approvals and similar routine items; individual board members may request set‑asides to remove an item for separate discussion. Board members noted that because the consent motion passed, there were no additional action items on the agenda that required a vote at that meeting.

No other formal board votes or final outcomes on distinct bills or resolutions were taken at this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Public Meeting | Live Stream | April 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the board voted unanimously to adopt the routine consent agenda (personnel, contracts and field trips). No other formal board votes were recorded at the session.","taxTitle","ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38555,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576363,"Albany High FCCLA students qualify for national competition; five to represent district",536,488000,1024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=488&end=1024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_488000.jpg","/articles/6576363/New-York/Albany-High-FCCLA-students-qualify-for-national-competition-five-to-represent-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576363-32d098f6f8c5de8e367462f83fd6284d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=Ci6TiqVNsfLdLGWLEZpsa2zUv-~D2aHGX5-Wl4Akhr5hI8cxhV~P7kXeo5ZO32lcoS-eYJ60WHNccYdU9oqvdF2GB1fKvwMz380ndlqW8SPE6GiYPT~LrMZFfeiwVEUnmtaxhkB17skgiSSMd45Jix1o7VjHjJV1m2H7Ls~rNUZbUdlmUMFYp~xWdNgVdxQC6fHlv6w~D92bHJcfWg8InNzMUuRnsz5EOLuJBtA4-0-JK3mjieoElYsDh7gj3~IKAR4tZ4Zwy47JYwnlvZ3yQ6PA~YRTVOoqXSJxLlnE4cEJkUCgVwlp6ldXWbiQnImiGFcVut2g-GhIYOwK7V6S1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board recognized Albany High School students who earned medals at the state FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) conference and qualified for national competition.

Assistant/administrator Lesko introduced five students heading to nationals in Florida after placing at the state event. Students said their STAR (Students Taking Action for Recognition) projects covered topics including nonverbal communication and deaf community access, critiques of BMI as a health metric, entrepreneurship proposals for a mental‑health facility for young people, cultural/communication issues for multilingual families, and the use of AI in psychotherapy to expand access. One additional student received a bronze medal and was recognized as well.

Board members and the superintendent praised the students for their research and public speaking. Advisors and the board encouraged community support for the students’ travel to the national competition.","The board heard public recognition for five Albany High students who qualified for the national Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition after winning state medals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576367,"Myers Middle School reports falling chronic absenteeism and rising assessment scores",568,1196000,1764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=1196&end=1764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","/articles/6576367/New-York/Myers-Middle-School-reports-falling-chronic-absenteeism-and-rising-assessment-scores","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576367-f592c391d2ec253b01a2b0bb05a1f052/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=hsfQaVAH8hbnI0NbZGWAF2C30xfopSsdXtBgRGvLybRacyBa4-6ZEQ8aZmmE-3IFuT6vEIgd7RSI7SXUs-lbgks5YZhj0lgk8uBNjMuw5Nn7Olek2IfG-ews78ps-g9~RUzUE4cLhR-OasH3GsuvHzQLPq-FrTFxCt41e6cAaq-fa5diqxbvERNfjqCWMyiKeSm4ilvXbIZ7WMNCTbLq6lsLuVbaQLcO9NZePvyGhMnh8fY~1Rwg-xIUIwHq3U99d-NK6wmGm458T8HB3JaVT5qreCblTIMUuqJDC8sXAJ~WwYTpeVpkhYuHNz650rrwPObOQ1AE8-HC-hJGXVH86g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal Bill Rivers presented a school‑level update for Stephen and Harry Myers (Myers) Middle School, telling the board the school reduced chronic absenteeism and improved ELA and math assessment results while expanding climate‑and‑culture work.

Rivers said Myers runs targeted attendance outreach that starts in summer: students with prior‑year attendance between 0–69% are assigned to an attendance teacher, 70–79% to school counselors and the home‑school coordinator, and 80–89% receive outreach from teacher leaders paid with school improvement grant funds. He said chronic absenteeism dropped about 8 percentage points this year and about 13 percentage points over three years; current chronic‑absence rates were reported around the mid‑20s percentage range and the school is aiming to get below 25%.

Rivers highlighted a focus on high‑impact instructional strategies, data‑informed planning, and restorative practices. He described partnership work with the Vegetable Project to bring hands‑on science and gardening into special‑education classrooms, reporting higher engagement for students in the special classes (the presentation listed three special‑class programs serving about 24 students). Rivers said combined ELA and math assessment scores have climbed steadily — the presentation cited a combined score rising from roughly 43.6 pre‑pandemic to 76.5 last year.

Student voice work included grade‑level equity teams developing materials to help new students navigate school culture and to address racism, bullying and safety. Rivers said the school is developing plans for the last two weeks of the school year to boost engagement and avoid last‑minute drops in attendance.

Board members congratulated staff and students on the improvements and asked about next steps; Rivers said the school would continue to refine literacy instruction across content areas and strengthen argumentative writing supports.","Principal Bill Rivers told the board Myers Middle School reduced chronic absenteeism and improved combined ELA and math scores over several years; highlighted attendance interventions, the Vegetable Project for special classes and student equity teams.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576372,"Board hears proposed $342 million Albany CSD budget, 0.9% tax‑levy increase; staff reductions by attrition planned",807,10342000,11149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=10342&end=11149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_10342000.jpg","/articles/6576372/New-York/Board-hears-proposed-342-million-Albany-CSD-budget-09-taxlevy-increase-staff-reductions-by-attrition-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576372-4b77a807fc22c0cf0eab6d39ab94bd70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=msPq8UhDZubMKtbzVDbkCFXuFY7dfzn0crKvUNzwN7J4ClUlj9TZ3vL3PjSaEz1LO7ueK5AUCxTpqpwKAgv414qcZcwd-5Dc6K0xR7ct9HjjcEnnliUY02I4UpvAaITK78C4XuAobjD91jRlWqcEqomZY6ad9Eqjfty~ZTE0VmLWKnHsrBBCPs2hLmVR-n54yiQQ1Kz78inh~f81DJ7yMfmjUiP2ltZ1GKLUgGxwykG~2jjcNTNlGHKi9IUW2ssRhpYGT9jJ4VUbvIImx8haaTuoc7fTl-Dj2bZznZn4wW-Be26cIRKFVG3ZPzru8iCIhO1RTlOlYEv4EnsnR1ptLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City School District presented its proposed 2025–26 budget to the board, asking voters to approve a roughly $342 million general fund with a proposed 0.9% increase in the district tax levy.

Business officials told the board the budget assumes an estimated state aid increase of about $12.1 million and an appropriation of roughly $12.6 million from fund balance and reserves. The presentation showed the district proposes to maintain full‑day pre‑K at all 12 elementary schools plus community locations, preserve magnet programs, community schools initiatives, athletics, arts ensembles and career and technical education pathways while realigning staff to account for lower enrollment and the expiration of federal COVID‑19 relief funds.

Staffing changes in the proposal rely on attrition and vacancies rather than layoffs, the presentation said: approximately 36 positions would be reduced through retirements and unfilled posts to reflect declining enrollment and the end of roughly $45 million in federal COVID relief funds the district used for temporary hires and supports. The administration said student‑to‑staff ratios would remain the same or improve as the district manages reductions.

The presentation noted two capital propositions on the May ballot that would not raise taxes. Proposition 2 would use up to $5 million from the district’s capital reserve to replace aging HVAC units at several buildings, and Proposition 3 would authorize the district to sell a small, unused vacant parcel at 877 South Pearl Street (about one‑tenth of an acre) with minimum price set by the board.

Officials warned that if voters reject the budget the district could either present a revised budget or be required to adopt a contingency budget, which, under New York law, would force targeted cuts (including building‑use fee requirements and potential cuts to programs or staff) and reduce discretionary spending.

Board members praised staff for outreach and for scheduling multiple community budget presentations ahead of the May 20 vote, and asked staff to update presentation materials posted to BoardDocs. The district clerk and business office posted community Q&A and early‑voting information included in the presentation.","Business officials presented a proposed 2025–26 general fund budget of about $342 million, a 0.9% tax levy increase and staffing reductions of approximately 36 positions through attrition to align with enrollment declines and the end of federal COVID relief funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576376,"Albany officials, RISE and community partners report growing newcomer population; EL enrollment now about one‑fifth of district",1198,7290000,8488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=7290&end=8488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_7290000.jpg","/articles/6576376/New-York/Albany-officials-RISE-and-community-partners-report-growing-newcomer-population-EL-enrollment-now-about-onefifth-of-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576376-49c756293f632512dedc185a216f5b88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=bJT1K7sbgaPfevb6LBnADehWL9fCPK3glLuw8MQFxVL5gtZA9w1ZTsxgUxcmRiXqBvdGfbtyyFTrKN2H9Okgvz1iBr7q04r6fOe1BiDrcQyDy03WO-dmAq2ur1QMkwWhD9KpRvXJffVkDcGfOBKI7IsEoy9KFDvEqLm6q7sqMN~KDt31tbEr7~d47L05CQFJznPROBiRMWmKBkm1nf~f-OdAW~GeEB2B3G0D4wqXtsNtdJPpmOS4T0Qbs8iyiROzrNXtlxIYXDyoRVoiJMI9YkVro3BMwgma3ny8OjcfC0IsVjJi1S1ZGvkcT9wPnMrvqMKkkiwAsJ811tD9-jsw0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District English‑learner staff and community partners told the board that Albany’s newcomer population continues to grow, that the district’s summer newcomer programming received positive parent feedback, and that community partners are providing health, food and case‑management supports.

Department leaders said the district recorded 762 EL enrollments during the school year to date and reported total English‑learner enrollment of about 1,821 students, roughly 20% of district enrollment. The department said the top home languages and sending countries reflect recent migration patterns, with many arrivals from Venezuela, Ecuador and Afghanistan and substantial secondary migration within the United States.

The presentation listed instructional work this year: rollout of a National Geographic‑based curricular resource in stand‑alone E and L courses, coaching cycles at elementary and middle levels, and professional development about reading instruction tailored for students learning English. The district also rolled out Elevation, a data‑management tool the department said will allow teachers to connect rosters, monitor progress and access embedded professional learning strategies for EL instruction.

Speakers detailed summer newcomer programming funded partly through a refugee school impact grant and other sources. Staff said summer feedback from families indicated students learned English and key school routines; families requested more take‑home instructional materials and strategies to help children practice at home.

Community partners described services they provide: Whitney Young Health runs school‑based clinics and a mobile clinic (Whitney on Wheels) for newcomers and said services are available without out‑of‑pocket costs; Capital District Latinos described culturally responsive food pantry services, halal options and volunteer support for immunizations and other needs; RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Support Services) described after‑school programs, employment assistance and an immigration clinic and said RISE is operating on‑site after‑school programming at Albany International Academy.

Board members thanked partners and asked about attendance trends and family outreach. District staff said overall attendance for EL students has been stable compared with last year; staff noted one community‑wide day of protest that reduced attendance on a single day. Presenters offered to share family‑preparedness templates and legal‑rights materials to support vulnerable families.

Instructional priorities for 2025–26 included continuing Elevation implementation, targeted coaching, work on literacy across content areas and student progress reporting that is easier for parents to read. The department said it intends to finalize a simplified EL progress report form by the end of the school year and test import into Elevation for district‑wide monitoring.","District presenters and community organizations described expanded English‑learner services, summer newcomer programming and community partnerships. The department reported roughly 762 new EL registrations this year and total EL enrollment of about 1,821 students (roughly 20% of district enrollment).",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_46":129,"_48":130,"_50":131,"_52":132,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":133,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":134,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576379,"Albany BOE task force recommends ‘phone‑free’ school day; estimates first‑year cost around $131,500",2110,3792000,5902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53&start=3792&end=5902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120391-3ff16af792c756870027b2a1e8245e53/thumbnail_3792000.jpg","/articles/6576379/New-York/Albany-BOE-task-force-recommends-phonefree-school-day-estimates-firstyear-cost-around-131500","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576379-6a4a3411724d5dd1c326c7ab1fecbb04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080070&Signature=fdbzTCPh7pSge1wHRf5wc0ZlMv9lvn2fDrdLRfT91mqB88XcUS2fHgMzbZ~BYzLohMys0ft3RnMZ~x1-p~M4j61LQxYdWBayV-6OAU-i1VqAdbaW5~XixQ6DMUS5d2QjrM9bt9IaaoyoXINzsR85bcLZ6VjcAFqb7T4Du9eSOnjkxfuQj2o0YFB03Ekrv0lwlLOBamAX4pZXnsP6ddPo4ktZfGDWwx8VCKD6KCI3bjsqqlfK7mGnCtI9UV642LgnPpBkXTFNuy0yzKqtd4kufpCjd7QIxa3rQ0gY9eJEyrHWYf3eUJauem6pS1ry98EM393G9Bj9YdSVaT7m2Svcgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City School District’s cell phone task force presented a plan to the Board of Education to create a bell‑to‑bell, phone‑free school day for secondary students and recommended purchasing device‑separation pouches and related hardware to remove phones from students’ hands during the school day.

The task force reported that vendors returned a preliminary cost estimate of about $131,500 for a first‑year purchase of a widely used pouch system (identified in the presentation as Yondr). The estimate covers containers, magnets and pouches for district secondary sites; the presenters said subsequent years would likely cost less because magnets and containers would not need replacement as often and only pouches might be replaced as needed.

The task force said its charge, started in July, was to review student phone use and suggest edits to Policy 5‑1995 (personal electronic devices). Members said the policy and the student code of conduct are not currently aligned and detailed harms the group heard from frontline staff and parents: classroom distraction, social isolation, privacy and security issues, bullying and escalation of peer conflicts. The task force said its “overwhelming solution” was to explore a phone‑free school day, with education for students and families before implementation.

The presentation listed implementation options and caveats. Task‑force members and administrators said elementary schools appear to have systems already (cubicles or cupboards) and the committee focused on middle and high schools. Implementation options discussed included: issuing pouches or bins that students would return at the end of the day; assigning a pouch to each student to reuse; and a supervised “phone room” where students may briefly access a device if needed. Administrators said some partner districts (Troy, Bethlehem) had used different models successfully and that Troy reported the first days of rollout created an ‘‘extinction burst’’ of anxiety that subsided.

Task‑force members emphasized accommodations and exceptions. They said they discussed special‑population needs (including medical access to a phone) and translation needs for families that rely on phones for in‑school translation. One vendor option was described as offering a medical‑style pouch that can be opened quickly when necessary. The task force said it did not support confiscating phones until a parent could retrieve them; members said the committee preferred returning phones to students at the end of the school day rather than withholding them for parental pickup.

Board members pressed the group on logistics: morning entry bottlenecks, locker usage (administrators said only about 30% of students use high‑school lockers), supervision needs and how parents would contact students in non‑emergency situations. Presenters said some districts use a supervised room or a desk that students can visit to make brief calls; administrators said staff and office liaisons could handle emergent messages. The group also discussed ensuring adults model the same behavior and addressing district reliance on messaging apps for time‑sensitive communications.

Members of the board urged a soft rollout if the board adopts the policy, recommending summer school pilot tests and substantial family and staff education. The task force repeatedly highlighted that the final steps depend on the state budget and any state rules that might define “school day” differently.

The presentation flagged alternatives to the named vendor — including NuCase and PhoneLocker — and legal/procurement considerations. District staff said a formal competitive procurement would be required before any purchase and that the initial $131,500 quote was a vendor estimate, not a purchase order.","A board task force recommended a bell‑to‑bell ban on student cellphone use, proposed purchase of device‑separation pouches (quoted at about $131,500 first year), and laid out options and equity concerns for phased rollout and accommodations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board unanimously adopts routine consent agenda; no other votes taken

Albany High FCCLA students qualify for national competition; five to represent district

Myers Middle School reports falling chronic absenteeism and rising assessment scores

Board hears proposed $342 million Albany CSD budget, 0.9% tax‑levy increase; staff reductions by attrition planned

Albany officials, RISE and community partners report growing newcomer population; EL enrollment now about one‑fifth of district

Albany BOE task force recommends ‘phone‑free’ school day; estimates first‑year cost around $131,500