[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6208744,"mediaKeyId","3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a","parentId",3740840,"title","Board reviews music curriculum renewal; student speaker urges schedule changes for ensemble students","audioSeconds",4493,"startMs",3337000,"endMs",7830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a&start=3337&end=7830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a/thumbnail_3337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208744/New-York/Board-reviews-music-curriculum-renewal-student-speaker-urges-schedule-changes-for-ensemble-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208744-858f528e7c743ea1b322caec8b8514ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770855103&Signature=caMfKfbJIueu97v7NVCi1BZ6V1~v6ZaSYtlSEtXWEPKjeZN48KJjQQ-~uKaVRGyaPTSP4fIrI72MfapAT-ogSDBF6F1vxc5~aGDBzQ9ex4HVJNUxIrlUT~-dKQijGXwnVwp0FkZ7QQvy-Lyd~WJPtYmdzhlwmenhPflKNIgXyUPX3hurxtCivXFRcAT3Tw2kj3czTBkiGkv4r5xlFzbKS1IJok-wgRhHktHJLqLQc8oszSvqk6pDc-IPjfhugVuBcP50PUCxAGprGJ4F4CENePHVfLFxaS8th~d9~J2m71aZjnBoGcN0uiNo3b9LMq1ZTZn4fsFwPkr1WFswxH7vFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-10T16:57:00.943Z","article","The Averill Park Central School District board heard a presentation on the district’s music curriculum renewal and proposed elementary staffing changes, and received a public comment urging action on recurring schedule conflicts that affect students enrolled in multiple music classes.

The district’s music team — led in presentation by Lauren Rozinski (middle school band director and teacher leader for music) with Betsy Baker (elementary representative), Sabrina Mana (middle school choral), and Leslie Elashuk (high school choral teacher) — outlined a multi‑year plan to align instruction across grade levels, revise rehearsal expectations and shift some elementary staffing from building‑based full‑time roles to content‑specialized positions that travel between schools.

The team said the current elementary model has three full‑time positions (one assigned to each elementary building) who each teach general music, grade‑level band/orchestra, chorus and instrumental lessons. To strengthen vertical continuity and to use staff strengths more effectively, the renewal recommends keeping three FTEs at the elementary level but reorganizing duties so one teacher provides general music and chorus across two buildings on a rotating schedule and a counterpart focuses on instrumental instruction and lessons at the same two buildings. The third elementary position would remain in place at the third elementary school, covering the full range of music teaching at that site.

Presenters described additional goals: align choral and instrumental curriculum from grades 5–12, create shared rehearsal expectations and assessment practices, adopt mentor texts and vertical scope and sequence documents, and rethink grading toward mastery levels (beginning/intermediate/advanced) rather than strictly by numeric grade level. The group said a retirement in the orchestra area increases the urgency of inviting general‑music and orchestra teachers into the renewal team next year to “round out the music program.”

In public comment, April Park High School sophomore Theo Hart urged the board to act on recurring scheduling conflicts that repeatedly force multi‑ensemble music students to drop core or advanced academic classes. Hart said these are not isolated instances and called for structural scheduling changes, writing in part: “Most music students, especially if they're taking multiple music classes, have to sacrifice courses ... Are we truly embodying our [motto] if the same group of students are consistently subjected to a worse, less desirable schedule?” He suggested rotating singleton classes or opening a dedicated block for some music classes and noted a student petition with nearly 300 signatures from parents and students concerned about the issue.

Board members and presenters discussed logistics raised in the presentation: the elementary schedule described uses a six‑day rotation (three days at one site, three days at the other) so that traveling teachers deliver the same content at both buildings rather than staying at one site full time; presenters said some districts use the same pattern for art and specialty instruction. The team said their planning is intended to keep student enrollment steady at transition grades (5→6 and 8→9) and to foster collaboration among ensembles and age levels.

Presenters emphasized next steps: bring revised curriculum documents and the shared instructional toolkit to department meetings, invite additional teachers (general music and orchestra) to the renewal team next year, and roll out aligned rehearsal expectations and assessment practices incrementally with professional development.

The board did not take a formal vote on staffing at this meeting. The district and the music team characterized the work as an in‑progress renewal; presenters and board members said they expected additional follow‑up in public sessions and further detail before any staffing proposition would be placed before voters.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Averill Park CSD BOE Mtg. 6/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Averill Park Central School District board heard a presentation on a district music curriculum renewal that would realign elementary staffing and vertically align band and choral instruction, while a student speaker urged the board to fix recurring schedule conflicts that force music students to drop academic courses.","taxTitle","AVERILL PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38758,"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},6208730,"Board approves tenures, retiree resolutions, contracts, buses and several policies in unanimous or near‑unanimous votes",1534,6849000,8383000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a&start=6849&end=8383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a/thumbnail_6849000.jpg","/articles/6208730/New-York/Board-approves-tenures-retiree-resolutions-contracts-buses-and-several-policies-in-unanimous-or-nearunanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208730-d6109a15c364ea4d0682e9b25d2d2234/orig.mp4?Expires=1770855103&Signature=TCAkwXbeOHKp7WlTqeha82kcbvEbX9LEzngoumfWVPre4ppiEJMqCnOHo6Oc5VjgGWZtJ~caw-jvCvWHZIQzUpXpuuS4nIU-v3dj1miVV8MCO~sJhJTJn3cIXnUBxoO5nDtLTB06e2hTWIoRjBmGX-xHKOwCxgPtfXZjltdaxIgxr5EDWWHmvPIUbd8ljH-d4mRua9YEr0r7lZJf~1AQwn4a7d5GbWnsznAPvZIiw8XyOdWg0YgygZis1yEy8LhFJrbkBaIaey8IL-a88nj4Sqv~aV7gtIh1yuUYs8UF666qQ4145cyl4h2jhTxBRag6Oj9E7rFVTQFx~-Zwh92VtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Averill Park Central School District board recorded multiple formal votes at the June 9 meeting. Several personnel approvals, routine agreements, procurement actions and policy adoptions were adopted either unanimously or by recorded majority. The board took no new, contentious legislative steps; most items passed without extended debate.

Key outcomes and procedural notes

Administrative and instructional tenure approvals
- Administrative tenure: The board approved administrative tenure for Carrie Marshall (motion made and seconded during the meeting). The motion passed unanimously (recorded on the transcript as passing unanimously).
- Group instructional tenure: The board approved a slate of teacher tenures (names read by the board). The slate included Carrie Villalalla, Nicole Condo, Carly Desiderio, Britney D'Orazio, Scott Kalinski, Samantha Grace, Josh Kim, Nicole Monroe, April Frito Reyes, Catherine Wood and others named during the roll call. Board members voiced short remarks in support and the motion passed unanimously.

Resolutions of appreciation and student ex‑officio recognitions
- The board read and adopted resolutions of appreciation for retirees, including a named resolution for Adam Stewart; trustees offered tributes in the public meeting and the resolutions were incorporated into the minutes (adopted as read).
- The board adopted resolutions recognizing the student ex‑officio board members for 2024–25, including Theodore Dangler (Teddy) and Abigail Juno; members thanked the students for their service and the resolutions were adopted.

Contracts, agreements and operational votes
- A package of agreements listed under agenda items 11a–11n (contracts with partner organizations, service agreements and related items referenced in board docs) was approved by voice vote after discussion and were recorded as approved unanimously.
- Bus purchases: The board approved resolutions to purchase full buses with a not‑to‑exceed total of $971,099 (agenda item 12a) as previously approved by the public vote; the board recorded the motion and approved the purchase.
- Bond resolution filing: The board approved filing a bond resolution for financing a $39,900,000 capital project (motion referenced 02/09/2025 bond filing); the motion carried.
- Acceptance of budget vote results: The board accepted the results of the May 21, 2025 budget vote and related propositions; trustees thanked voters for participation and the results were accepted.

Policy adoptions and administrative items
- Policy 81.21.1 (opioid overdose prevention) was adopted after consultation with school nurses and legal counsel; the board voted to adopt the language the administration recommended.
- Policy 81.30.1 (extreme risk protection orders / related protocol) was adopted following attorney and administrative review; the board recorded the vote (one board member recorded a save during the vote sequence).
- Policy 4420 (class size) and other policy updates were discussed in detail; the board chose to hold further readings and follow‑up on class‑size language to gather additional administrative guidance and contract implications.

Procedural notes
- Many items were moved, seconded and adopted by unanimous voice vote; the transcript frequently records \"that passes unanimously\" for personnel items and package approvals.
- Several items referenced the board’s contract obligations (for example class‑size language referenced in the teachers’ contract). The board asked administration for additional guidance before finalizing some policy language to avoid unintended contractual consequences.

The meeting moved on to committee reports and public comments after the formal action items. Several trustee and community members offered thanks to retirees and staff; the board adjourned to executive session on personnel matters at the end of the evening.","At its June 9 meeting the Averill Park board approved administrative and group teacher tenures, passed resolutions honoring retirees and student ex‑officio board members, accepted several agreements and contracts, authorized bus purchases and filed a bond resolution; the board also adopted opioid‑prevention and extreme‑risk protection policies.",{"_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},6208735,"Superintendent updates: administrator hiring, Sand Lake Ambulance agreement, fleet study and mascot guidance monitoring",111,45000,156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a&start=45&end=156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a/thumbnail_45000.jpg","/articles/6208735/New-York/Superintendent-updates-administrator-hiring-Sand-Lake-Ambulance-agreement-fleet-study-and-mascot-guidance-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208735-d3a7c7e2ec924dcb9695562c532ddfae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770855103&Signature=WCNiJnfmTURJw~RRkz0YBrenNqQ0vcmJJbxaP0x-ouAFqgtFD1RX9-NX775nxH~fHsdnWgDBSELx0Wfoby4loRMZIBCmNlEkd8L4iMGJcE6Lw3bT~aQhcQU9XjPrG6FLxrPRRx0FJICDsvgIx2c7Z3dlhhPKddQV3XmQ9zuIXASHJjuaoyt1bpWcHFjLr6CRGASzsvv54DEolGMp5mcDsPkP31ZRpg5cZtJuSlDlKwp5hRccuOAGsxW33x2uqCtxvE9yzU2aE7Bc7SAfQAUhrG5ffjCI3jXhqxnKSvnT0sikcX79rY7Lnw5ycwt7P20nBCWg64dHZkpRnoImYaJ~UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In the superintendent’s report the district announced ongoing administration hiring, a local ambulance agreement that affects two elementary schools, a pending consultant presentation on fleet electrification and ongoing monitoring of state and federal guidance on Native American themed mascots.

The superintendent said the district has begun an early search for an administrative successor following an announced retirement and that faculty hiring for next year is “effectively complete.” The presentation thanked district staff and faculty for participating in early recruitment and credited staff member Kim for leading the effort to post hard‑to‑fill administrative positions early in the cycle.

The report informed the board that the Town of Postkill signed an agreement with Sand Lake Ambulance; the superintendent said the arrangement directly affects Postkill Elementary School and Algonquin (middle school) and that the district has scheduled an August meeting with Sand Lake Ambulance to coordinate response protocols and building access. The superintendent identified Keith as the district lead for safety planning and invited the board to anticipate a presentation on protocols.

On operations, the superintendent said the district has received a final draft of a fleet electrification study conducted by a consultant (named in the report as Cornice). Once the final report is received, the district plans to have the consultant present cost and infrastructure analysis in public session and to share the information with the community ahead of any proposition related to fleet or electrification.

The superintendent also noted a national development: the U.S. Department of Education issued a ruling that bans Native American themed school mascots as violating federal civil‑rights law, and the state has proposed a ban covering mascots referencing any racial or ethnic group. District staff said the guidance is evolving; the local deadline the district is monitoring remains June 30 for a related changeover (as reported by the superintendent), and staff said they are following counsel and will update the board as the process plays out.

The report closed with non‑operational items: a celebrations video for staff (produced by Brian Radowitz) and the hiring of a new communications person who is expected to start next week and take on communications tasks such as videos. The superintendent also recognized Samantha for a board professional development recognition.

Board members asked procedural questions about timelines and thanked staff for recruitment and operational coordination; no formal actions were taken during the superintendent’s report.","Superintendent's report covered early recruitment for an administrative successor, near‑complete faculty hires for next year, a new ambulance agreement affecting two schools, an upcoming fleet electrification consultant presentation and monitoring of federal/state guidance on Native American themed mascots.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6208739,"K–8 writing renewal: district team proposes shared toolbox, vertical standards and teacher supports",2127,4233000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a&start=4233&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740840-8a3c818f91327d9028cf538719dcb12a/thumbnail_4233000.jpg","/articles/6208739/New-York/K8-writing-renewal-district-team-proposes-shared-toolbox-vertical-standards-and-teacher-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208739-a60625f2202f8583e1c919f1e564cfce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770855103&Signature=OuzEHrNF4aOPQJ0yY1hGWvb6UXaa4DYnqWL3WLnj0lmqusDEzLRBEZVb3P4aGUF~uXQoEPSDnXgt4nfiFxG7ynvLwPV4PiXfLVbvEiMrWTCO5UOK1OSwxTYYnldUwvY5hi3P6tcCK8t5yfyZHgA0e95vLFl8l8o8OaM94EDYjuit0cxNdD4-GHPzA10L2MyxG6kT~q1J-0pwT4wbTi66aPmczECAiWqMiQQ8emp9vvqgYlmoX6mn6vkSpaU-dGxwG~OcEnlxcNMBNQwF5oN5hwfx2APbyBCxFAaMxj~1R9S~7fQMeg3LjYBf22oTLf0CJyMsGJNQHRn2AI9VADhmqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Averill Park Central School District teachers and a district writing renewal team presented a year‑long review of K–8 writing instruction and proposed a multi‑year action plan to build a coherent, vertical writing continuum across elementary and middle school grades.

The renewal team — a multi‑grade group that included elementary and middle school representatives — reported results of a district survey that identified significant variability in approaches and tools: teachers reported more than 20 distinct supplemental sources in use and inconsistent vocabulary and expectations from grade to grade. Presenters told the board that the lack of common tools and language contributes to repeated reteaching of foundational skills and uneven student readiness at transition points.

The team said its work was guided by The Writing Rope, a synthesis of research by Joan Sedita that consolidates evidence across multiple meta‑analyses into five strands: critical thinking (planning and the writing process), syntax (sentence construction), text structure (type and organization), writing craft (author’s choices and voice), and transcription (spelling, handwriting, keyboarding). The presenters said the strands provide a useful framework for grade‑by‑grade skill lists and for designing assessments that measure mastery rather than simply covering standards by grade number.

Survey findings presented to the board showed teachers rate the “average student” in many writing subskills as below grade level or in need of reteaching; presenters pointed to anchor standards whose wording is broad and often vague across grades, producing assumptions that students have already mastered skills that they have not. The team provided examples showing anchor standards broken down into specific, grade‑level skills and argued that without a clearly assigned skill scope per grade, instruction can become cyclical: topics like verb tense or parts of speech are reviewed year after year rather than sequentially advanced.

The team’s action plan calls for creating a shared instructional toolkit, clarifying grade‑level responsibilities for specific writing skills, providing mentor texts and rehearsal expectations for choral and instrumental parallels to teaching, offering targeted professional development, and piloting assessment shifts to mastery‑based benchmarks. Presenters said the plan includes outreach to high‑school teachers to ensure the K–8 continuum provides space for creativity and voice at the secondary level and that some high school teachers had already praised the preparation incoming students demonstrate.

The team discussed classroom practices piloted in 2024–25: sentence analysis in early grades to reinforce decoding and writing connections, more handwriting practice to help writing fluency in middle school, and limited, teacher‑guided uses of AI tools to give immediate feedback on short responses while retaining teacher oversight for substantive revision. The presenters emphasized that frequent, authentic writing for genuine audiences, mentor texts and consistent vocabulary will raise confidence and reduce redundant reteaching.

Board members and attendees praised the team’s scope and recommended the district translate the technical matrices into parent‑friendly communications to help families support grade‑level skills at home. Presenters agreed that one practical next step is creating concise parent guides that summarize the top standards and simple home activities for each grade.

No formal board vote was taken on the renewal plan during the presentation; presenters said they will continue work and bring specific curriculum and toolkit materials to the board for later review and possible adoption.","A district writing renewal team recommended a K–8 continuum built on the “writing rope” research framework, a shared instructional toolkit, common vocabulary and frequent writing practice to reduce repeated reteaching and prepare students for high school writing expectations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews music curriculum renewal; student speaker urges schedule changes for ensemble students

Board approves tenures, retiree resolutions, contracts, buses and several policies in unanimous or near‑unanimous votes

Superintendent updates: administrator hiring, Sand Lake Ambulance agreement, fleet study and mascot guidance monitoring

K–8 writing renewal: district team proposes shared toolbox, vertical standards and teacher supports