[{"_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",6200371,"mediaKeyId","3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc","parentId",3814111,"title","RCS board discusses fate of 'Indians' banners; may move items into memorial and replace gym banners","audioSeconds",237,"startMs",2195000,"endMs",2432000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc&start=2195&end=2432","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc/thumbnail_2195000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200371/New-York/RCS-board-discusses-fate-of-Indians-banners-may-move-items-into-memorial-and-replace-gym-banners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200371-e092b6487d129629252c4813cd834383/orig.mp4?Expires=1773224635&Signature=C-r-XYX0HE~W9Cz~uVYUsh0MqtblC50lf2-0Lafoq-00GnQjLqAVFeODcgKQeutws7aCiu2JofxHrj7xxEDTb8eL-zgPnqeyouARi76y4ZdaM2nFz3XcER3iquZi1SdmhxyrNGV9XkQrBru2ONY5uNuoGHrV5L7iiPRWk2dAXIzmGVUa2H70NyDs5zlDuJr4y8afU0-dkBW0eznTMMu8EZ8QbmRB0PNZCl4fsilFfZpdSn8rMEQq07UdwaddnFPRDDxep-10u14~MgfVzbfpa36IgYJrK7r4u1FS9ZVuPbOSvZ599uiRquMjAn~NrQ8NmS7W8131nf-qtd2YjtbFZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-12T14:13:11Z","article","Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District officials discussed on Tuesday how to handle legacy athletic banners and symbols that include the former 'Indians' mascot imagery, with staff and the district mascot advisory recommending relocation and contextualization rather than public display in the gym.

A staff member summarized the advisory’s 2023 guidance, saying the purpose of relocation is not to erase history but to ensure items that require context are displayed where explanatory material can be provided. “The placement of such objects needs to be as such that a conversation can occur to give it context,” the staff member said, describing the advisory’s view that banners bearing Indigenous imagery are not appropriate in a gym where visiting families and spectators will not have contextual materials.

Board members discussed options. One proposal is to put historical items — including the granite entrance piece and certain banners — into an interior memorial or interpretive display that explains the district’s history before the mascot change. For banners that record championships and statistics, the board discussed three options: replace the public-facing gym banners with new banners reading “RCS” or “Ravens,” relocate originals into a memorial, or have the booster/sports association take custody and decide on preservation.

Why it matters: the exchange reflects an ongoing effort to reconcile historical recognition with current community standards and to follow the mascot-advisory guidance which referenced case law and recommended contextual display rather than public prominence. Some community members expressed that championship records were earned when the teams were identified as 'Indians,' and board members said they want to balance historical acknowledgment with inclusive present-day display.

Logistics and next steps: staff said the old banners are currently stored with the grounds/maintenance department. The board asked administration to circulate the advisory’s language and relevant documentation so members could read the advisory’s legal and contextual rationale before a future decision. The board also signaled a preference for replacing gym banners with “RCS” rather than reopening a contested debate over former names.

What was not decided: the board did not adopt a final disposition; staff will provide the advisory memo and legal context, and the issue will return for discussion at a later meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 11, 2025 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Board members reviewed recommendations from the district mascot advisory and discussed removing historic 'Indians' banners from public display in the gym, relocating some items into an interpretive memorial, and replacing gym banners with records marked as 'RCS' or 'Ravens.'","taxTitle","RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",69141,"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},6200376,"RCS board to convene stakeholders as state device law forces new student phone rules",292,3923000,4215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc&start=3923&end=4215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc/thumbnail_3923000.jpg","/articles/6200376/New-York/RCS-board-to-convene-stakeholders-as-state-device-law-forces-new-student-phone-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200376-cf00abf976ec870e017dbc017f86d558/orig.mp4?Expires=1773224635&Signature=UAJKnbdDaEPhLoCQmQHKg0NCFuyuyxC1ETiVYUDL3TJPmeYxP-IBs9Z0jQaJwM4P4sUe05RoJwix0U9W4rBApcjh7h1ajbzy8DyI~66lqvd-kvM6zMzsnq21VwnOpsd6nBaJDzP7uD1JMS-KLOPOo5oCig3GrMoKid~qTFth1ohmbstfLraZ-p8QzXvYzC99Uh5W2Y9oN6aE7jcEp8XM37houYw0lsUDn6vCpTAZBFIqlez-Ekj4BCbqiM1hh0WbVOYXMJo0-xTfyWv9fd1fGUOZTbMBqtRorojqkZ1cxsaT95m3nfj5P4Mfpi0gCTd4iCvVoq2r9XVmxUpG6qcJFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District leaders said Tuesday they will convene a stakeholder group to craft a local policy implementing new state restrictions on student use of internet-capable devices during the school day.

Board members and staff described a short timetable: administrators, teacher-unit representatives, transportation and operations staff, parents and students will be asked to meet before the start of the school year to identify practical storage, communication and exception procedures. “We have to address device storage, options for parental contact…and allowable exceptions,” a district administrator summarized.

Why it matters: a recently enacted state law restricts student access to internet-capable devices during school hours and requires districts to set local policies that balance student safety, special-education needs and parent access. The board and staff said the district must interpret that law in light of local realities — for example, how to allow medical-device exceptions and how to give parents a reliable way to contact students during the day.

Key points from the meeting: administrators raised several operational questions the board must decide on or delegate, including whether backpacks alone satisfy the law’s storage requirement and how to manage wrist-worn devices such as Apple Watches. A staff member reported that sample guidance from the state-modeling organization (NISBA) indicates backpacks alone are not sufficient to meet the law’s intent; that point prompted several board members to insist on stakeholder consultation before finalizing a policy.

Parental contact and exceptions: the board discussed a range of options for parent-to-student contact, including enabling email into student accounts at certain times for short messages (for example, notifying a child of an early dismissal) and using office-mediated contact for emergencies. The group also noted special-education accommodations and 504-plan exceptions will require individualized documentation and district-wide dissemination so building staff know which students are permitted devices for medical reasons.

Trial programs and enforcement: staff described a high-school trial in which many students voluntarily turned devices over daily and said the pilot “went much better than anticipated.” The board discussed staged enforcement — written agreements and graduated penalties for repeated violations — rather than a single punitive approach.

Next steps: administrators were asked to assemble the stakeholder group immediately, prepare a contextual survey for parents and staff that frames the choices and legal constraints, and return to the board with draft policy options for review this summer. The board emphasized it retains final approval authority and that any recommended policy will be subject to revision after implementation and evaluation.","Board members and administrators discussed preparations for a new state-level restriction on student device use, including storage options, parental contact channels and exceptions for medical needs; administrators will convene teachers, transportation and operations staff and parent/student groups for recommendations.",{"_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},6200381,"RCS officials endorse transferring $1 million from health reserve to cover rising prescription costs",556,1083000,1639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc&start=1083&end=1639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814111-5da1c3a61b6f73042467be6e0b9546fc/thumbnail_1083000.jpg","/articles/6200381/New-York/RCS-officials-endorse-transferring-1-million-from-health-reserve-to-cover-rising-prescription-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200381-d09e3138d2a2f669b4fc61e046edf14a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773224635&Signature=XrdrNqzkbmZFs2JSyu0HwFFsMuzf2qrXDyxlHl7bv~IVVts4cfTA1vet18XNXL5dC0vbB2xZgTgq7IAVFOr3ZqrWtDpjW~z-JA2JSCN0D-rawF-MXHsRs9HJjQ-RHf7LYtWVq~ove86eUuKDCBXZyGdNKBKDK4ErbofsQ2qQoZhPYGow1loiCa3hQFKTZeIcR8YFnNnRVAA28WM1vEKiOR-8EE8dLrOwr3ivOqH1t9FTLVsmN3eHQnt~~bA-AdIp6fmuXLm~kx0rNvclNmsbYo7~tfTMMHlQlKAo8Pzt98OfPbY~Yy1n1qbsYYhpngsJA1mOtThfzTlsZZPXOPmUmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District indicated support Tuesday for a staff recommendation to transfer $1,000,000 from the district's health-insurance reserve to its prescription-drug reserve to cover an ongoing shortfall.

District staff said the prescription account, which the district administers separately inside a consortium, has been running a monthly deficit and had dropped to about $115,000 as of April. “Our expenses are almost double what we're bringing in,” the staff member presenting the financial update said, noting that specialty drugs — including weight-loss medications — are a major driver of increased pharmacy claims.

The recommendation came from the health consortium trustee who presented the reserve summary to the board. The trustee said the consortium recommends roughly two months of health reserves and about four months for prescription reserves. The district’s health reserve is about $4 million, above the consortium’s suggested level of roughly $1.4 million. Staff advised moving $1 million to the Rx account as an interim measure.

Why it matters: board members and staff said an infusion to the Rx reserve will slow the pace at which unusually large monthly claims erode the district’s prescription fund balance and reduce the urgency of near-term premium increases. The presenter told the board that prescription premiums for next year are already set to rise by about 20 percent and that consortium-level work is underway to manage exceptional claim drivers across member districts.

Details from the discussion: Jesse, the staff member who presented the benefits report, described how the district participates in a regional consortium for health plans but is effectively “on our own” for prescription coverage because Rx claims are treated at the district level. He told the board the consortium advised moving $1 million and that he did not require a formal motion to act, but wanted the board’s input. Multiple board members responded that they were comfortable with the plan; one member noted concern about moving “too much” out of the health reserve because higher fund balances can help blunt future rate increases.

Implementation and next steps: Jesse said he would notify the consortium trustee to make the transfer. He also said the consortium is working on longer-term measures to control Rx costs, including contractual changes to rebating and utilization rules.

What was not decided: there was no formal roll-call vote recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript records board members expressing assent (for example: “I’m good with that”) and the presenter saying he planned to proceed with the recommended transfer.

Board context: the board asked clarifying questions about how the reserves are calculated, whether the $4 million figure is the district’s portion of the consortium reserve, and whether shifting funds would affect future rate-setting. Presenting staff explained the $4 million is the district’s portion and that the consortium has a plan to make use of bigger balances across members to limit future premium pressure.

The board asked staff to provide more detailed historical claims and rebate data at a future meeting so members could evaluate whether additional transfers or other budget adjustments are needed.","School district officials agreed to support a staff recommendation to move $1 million from the district's health-insurance reserve into its prescription (Rx) reserve after the consortium warned the Rx account was rapidly depleting because specialty drug claims outpaced premiums.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RCS board discusses fate of 'Indians' banners; may move items into memorial and replace gym banners

RCS board to convene stakeholders as state device law forces new student phone rules

RCS officials endorse transferring $1 million from health reserve to cover rising prescription costs