[{"_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",6191517,"mediaKeyId","4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8","parentId",4712892,"title","Bethlehem CSD placed in state 'needs assistance' for special education; district outlines training and staffing plan","audioSeconds",6282,"startMs",2524000,"endMs",8806000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8&start=2524&end=8806","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8/thumbnail_2524000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191517/New-York/Bethlehem-CSD-placed-in-state-needs-assistance-for-special-education-district-outlines-training-and-staffing-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191517-94911dcb72b0b0b930b54d2dea2500e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415358&Signature=Je2v~va0szJHXUYwK3bHTh2ZXuzJNc2s2uq5N268s21OhdlYvwunQLoe9ThV3Wnk3dgANk9oxjoCL~qB6WUynuPixuIl08RfSth8nvSjlW77oBvdpRGRsPq0ny2nQ7Q7xekRRvKzPYpDQlf4sH8IQqYsgxAOSEKdCm1Fls2op8XgHURsFIRtiDIsf0nWyajKm3baNGnmg-mgySF5qmaQuW~DiPE0NOwz6wJFoFUdtvvIVqDwYjsiSY0KXA-3rVLbohf0AE6jO7Ib1RYU0KWLASEhBu7pmjTAqr7M9xR-HCdgi6TvaRA0GU5RL22GPw7LO9oJ0QxDWioxToq7Qd-Alg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-19T13:53:57Z","article","The Bethlehem Central School District received a state designation of \"needs assistance, year 1\" under the New York State Education Department's new special education accountability system, Director of Special Education Doug Morrissey told the Board of Education on June 18.

Morrissey said the district earned 13 of 22 possible points on student-performance measures and all 17 possible compliance points for a combined score of 30 out of 39 (76.92 percent), which placed the district in the needs-assistance category. He identified especially low proficiency rates for students with disabilities on the fourth- and eighth-grade state assessments and noted that, for one measure, \"it is literally 0 students\" in eighth-grade math who showed proficiency last year.

The state system evaluates student performance (22 points), district compliance with state regulations (up to 23 points), and the number of years a district has been identified. Morrissey said the district will not appeal the designation and instead will use the first year to choose interventions and professional development that fit local needs.

Why it matters: The designation signals statewide attention and triggers required supports from the state over time if local remediation does not improve outcomes. Morrissey framed the rating as both a short-term problem and an opportunity: \"I was happy to start with some celebratory comments because, frankly, the rest of my comments, they're disappointing. Right? And I'll say that upfront,\" he told the board.

Details and district response
Morrissey walked the board through the accountability matrix. For student performance, Bethlehem received a single point for the graduation-rate measure (64.29 percent for students with disabilities, based on the 2022–23 cohort), and a mix of one-point results on most proficiency measures. He reported that fourth-grade ELA proficiency for students with disabilities was just over 9 percent, fourth-grade math about 18 percent, eighth-grade ELA about 11.5 percent, and eighth-grade math 0 percent. He also reported that about 6 percent of students with disabilities attended separate out-of-district programs and that just 15 percent of preschool-aged students with disabilities received the majority of services in general-education preschool settings.

Morrissey described a multi-part district plan to address the rating: prioritize local professional development, enroll district leaders and teacher-leaders in an October two-day state workshop, consult neighboring higher-performing districts to observe practices, and pursue state-provided improvement programs once the state publishes its menu of supports. He also said the district will pursue a reading teacher position that appears on the night's personnel agenda and that a portion of that teacher's time would be focused on students with disabilities.

Board and staff discussion
Board members and staff asked for clarifications about data sources, cohort sizes and how the state scores are calculated. Morrissey noted the two-year exception the state used for the graduation and dropout components and emphasized the distinction between performance on 3–8 assessments and high-school outcomes: he said students with disabilities may show low proficiency on middle-grade state tests but still have comparatively strong Regents exam or graduation results.

Staff described program-level changes already planned for 2025–26: phasing out some \"Excel\" math sections at the middle school to expose more students to grade-level curriculum; consolidating or realigning foundation programs in elementary special education; adding targeted reading support and ensuring MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) includes students with disabilities. Morrissey and other administrators said they will monitor impacts and bring updates back to the board.

Public comment and parents' concerns
During public comment, parent Lisa McAndrew, who identified herself as the parent of a child in the district foundations program, urged the board to add a third classroom at Hammer Grama for next year so that a currently oversized and dysregulated special-education classroom can be reduced before another cohort advances. \"My daughter Evie will soon be 10 years old, and she can't read,\" McAndrew said, and urged immediate action to change next year's classroom configuration rather than waiting for longer-term program changes.

Next steps and oversight
Morrissey said the district did not file an appeal of the state determination and will use the first year of the designation to select and implement local interventions. He told the board he expects more public data from the state before June 30 and said the district will seek and deploy state-run professional-development options as they become available. Board members requested an update on implementation and professional development later in the year; staff agreed to return with a progress report and to flag any requests for additional staffing or resources.

\"We have a story of underperformance, but we have an opportunity for improvement,\" Morrissey said. \"They deserve better than this, and we need to get it for them.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCSD Board of Education meeting 6/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Bethlehem Central School District received a state designation of \"needs assistance, year 1\" under the New York State Education Department's new special education accountability system, Director of Special Education Doug Morrissey told the Board of Education on June 18.","taxTitle","BETHLEHEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",57191,"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},6191501,"Board approves minutes and grouped finance, personnel and support items; motion votes recorded as carried",7785,999000,8784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8&start=999&end=8784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6191501/New-York/Board-approves-minutes-and-grouped-finance-personnel-and-support-items-motion-votes-recorded-as-carried","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191501-1f2beb924e194994d19b60cac0a2d81e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415358&Signature=JDYlDzRe93WUxJgLH9DdXtwXUvSrMNNQ4muN4kJeHw3IqAofu4nosuPASPkmmq4cdK7umdEfOTF1e68OTykqaZXDQEsPk6UezQggU2IYvRfEawlLwSxRUgoz9ubS2-cizvtxjGkKsokuxU5ei6emjFQNBoy6ZsY2yrFXtVMTcg0-Q3SMHre3o18AEw0K03dpC6i7pGTeOwUY30HW9av7PwuiYy~DDcmGTh8WtltFs-3rISksY-j0z-LTVHeSolNVAMWu9f~XOqq0cxTYcTSShei0Sa5CFvRs7ijBZTRL8ZYNn-p0tWwv5KM4AXqAJQ4ZkfT3mf7pi4snbqMhas8x-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education approved multiple consent and action items during its June 18 meeting, including minutes and grouped finance and personnel motions.

Minutes
The board approved the minutes from the June 4, 2025 regular board meeting. The motion passed after a second; the clerk called \"All in favor? Aye,\" and the chair declared the motion carried.

Grouped action items
Later in the meeting the board considered bundled action items in four groupings and approved each by voice vote:
- Finance action items 1–5: approved by voice vote (motion moved, seconded; \"All in favor? Aye.\" )
- Professional personnel action items 1–30: approved by voice vote (motion moved, seconded; \"All in favor? Aye.\" )
- Support personnel action items 1–7: approved by voice vote (motion moved, seconded; \"All in favor? Aye.\" )
- Other action items 1–3: approved by voice vote (motion moved, seconded; \"All in favor? Aye.\" )

Recording and context
The transcript records the motions, seconds and the board chair's call for a voice vote; no roll-call tallies or named aye/no votes were recorded on the public transcript for these items. Each motion was followed by the chair's announcement that the motion \"carries.\"

What the record shows
- Approval of minutes from 06/04/2025: motion moved, second cited; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Finance action items (1–5): outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Professional personnel action items (1–30): outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Support personnel action items (1–7): outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Other action items (1–3): outcome: approved (voice vote).

The transcript does not record individual vote tallies or named individual votes for these motions; it records standard voice-vote procedure with the board chair calling for \"Aye\" and declaring each motion carried.","During its June 18 meeting the Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education approved the minutes from the June 4, 2025 regular meeting and voted to carry grouped finance, professional personnel, support personnel and other action items as presented.",{"_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},6191507,"Board honors student-athletes, appoints two student board members for 2025–26",1258,1169000,2427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8&start=1169&end=2427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8/thumbnail_1169000.jpg","/articles/6191507/New-York/Board-honors-student-athletes-appoints-two-student-board-members-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191507-5b1649cb6b4701b8d8f3056c59bcdb69/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415358&Signature=UYZROAb8oyLcf3tlpARnGBRl9VkDHMYJx1Dcgv5Fq1m8No~fIeJQQKKeRNTUjVnbTuUiHpZrOFLJq~2pYrebiK7pg4jApIeNJ1Bhukbm7oyNhnVBhKAwOPYrf7MIZT5Cd1AlyN9g~ZA2gk2N8ek8YRNWkmMkkXS0H7cZXu-WQxr~YNcQUtfUfj7Rm2yCxO2NSSFjSTpX01dqRKXqnF-IsywHucj9u9xiJxDMhWUM5KQb-xq8oe2zAd0N7rPABuUuO8xm5DRfCI5qbcDQJfUW-~IcI6zwJChyIOq7fEbwuPRKQwxsC2wmPQ1DR~XyIeQXj0qCapQ-LMB0-QIg8sJNMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education recognized the district's spring student-athletes and appointed two student board members for the 2025–26 school year at its June 18 meeting.

K‑12 physical education supervisor Zach Casselli presented awards and introduced teams and individual athletes, highlighting accomplishments across girls wrestling, Unified basketball, boys and girls track and field, lacrosse, baseball, softball and boys tennis. Casselli noted milestone achievements including a girls wrestling state qualifier in the program's second year and a Unified Basketball championship appearance at the MVP Arena. He also listed multiple all‑star selections and college commitments by senior athletes.

Why it matters: The recognitions celebrated student achievement and signaled the district's emphasis on athletics and scholar‑athlete performance across spring sports.

Student board appointments
The board appointed Rose Pastore and Claire Algaju as student members of the Board of Education for one‑year terms beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. The board called the students forward for photos and congratulated them.

Other highlights
Casselli said six district teams earned NISPA (scholar‑athlete) designation this spring for team academic averages above 90: baseball, boys tennis, flag football, girls lacrosse, girls track and field, and softball. Coaches and student leaders were introduced and the board thanked athletes and staff for the year.

\"Their dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship continue to reflect the best of what our school community has to offer,\" Casselli said while introducing honorees.

The board's next organizational meeting was announced for July 1 at the high school, with graduation and other end‑of‑year events scheduled in the week ahead.","At its June 18 meeting the Bethlehem Central School District recognized spring-season student-athletes across multiple teams and appointed Rose Pastore and Claire Algaju as student members of the Board of Education for the 2025–26 school year.",{"_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},6191512,"Bethlehem CSD narrows scope of proposed $60M capital plan, eyes December 2025 referendum",2342,6108000,8450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8&start=6108&end=8450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4712892-cb740c849482223ed88e1a93e90339b8/thumbnail_6108000.jpg","/articles/6191512/New-York/Bethlehem-CSD-narrows-scope-of-proposed-60M-capital-plan-eyes-December-2025-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191512-576271a8147ebf3ebff77d05b4d26f58/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415358&Signature=U9tjbRayCnL9zTJdYha9stY9EPDCcL~HGbBSHjy~EQsn09qm0j6j2IWn0E80KOaYU4PuotN5HFWvhddpVBzweQVQV~IvxADHHbatCNwsMFMs0cWWunQb8~WgMdaZWOpbUMVdtO1Bx~U9sIe-t6NGiG74kSr-ISKJ-A7zI-lsF-jI8C800a4Wb-EFnLCV7YImZLiYjNHGgOiDHm4dqRON4UKY-u-c2QwH0MJr6ULM03IwgfiRNbQoLkCAENMJVuWp5AmyIU6i-S70DCnmE51HUyXhKi3WeGW9q0cY1F75Z~ReqgwiWb5SN8BU2BPvM3Yn8a7ovX0WHRPop5ECaeKfOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bethlehem Central School District officials told the Board of Education on June 18 that they have narrowed a previously broad capital-improvement list and expect to present a public vote in December 2025 for roughly $57.7 million in work.

Nick (last name not specified), presenting as part of the facilities team, said the district has pared an original list of 307 scope items to a high-priority list of 139 elements. He said Turner Construction has been engaged for construction-management services during pre-referendum planning and that the board previously approved Turner on June 4.

Why it matters: The project would fund roofing replacements, targeted classroom renovations, and a phased approach to installing air conditioning in second floors, gymnasiums, cafeterias and media centers across multiple buildings. Officials said the refined budget aligns with a $60 million target while retaining core classroom work identified by operations staff.

Scope, costs and phasing
Administrators reported that earlier total estimates for the full 307-item scope had been as high as $86.1 million and, after refinement of priorities and scope adjustments, the high-priority package is currently estimated at $57.7 million. The presenter said that price volatility in materials, labor availability, tariffs and market conditions remain risks; the team expects a more precise construction estimate by August 2025.

On air conditioning, the district recommended phasing: install equipment in second floors (where heat is concentrated) of three buildings, and in gymnasiums, cafeterias and LMCs (learning/media centers) identified as hot spots. Presenters said some buildings—Slingerlands and Ellesmere—need electrical upgrades to support AC and that full-district AC remains a later-phase possibility.

Classroom renovations and schedule challenges
Facilities staff described classroom work such as replacing damaged wall material, abating certain hazardous surfaces, replacing casework and updating lighting and finishes; they said Glenmont and Hammer (transcript: \"Hammer Grama\") elementary wings are among the areas in greatest need and noted the difficulty of sequencing renovations without swing space.

The district outlined scheduling options: compressing larger renovation work into extended summer windows, using second shifts for construction, installing temporary alternates, or extending the program across multiple years. Officials said portable classrooms are a last resort due to cost, oversight and equity concerns.

Timeline and next steps
Administrators said Turner will deliver a refined estimate in August 2025. The board calendar presented during the meeting anticipates final scope and financing decisions in September and an October resolution to place a December 2, 2025 referendum on the ballot, if the board proceeds. Presenters emphasized contingency planning for market volatility and advised adding alternates to bid packages so the board can select additional work if bids come in below budget.

Board questions and district responses
Board members pressed on alternatives to reduce heat gain (reflective roofing, vegetation, fan strategies) and the presenter said architects and engineers are factoring energy-efficiency options and higher-efficiency heat-pump technologies into designs. Administrators also said they will try to plan mechanical chases now so future phases disturb renovated spaces less.

Officials asked board members to expect an August progress presentation with more detailed cost modeling and a recommended final scope for board action in September.

\"We have to give our construction management team and our architect team a little bit of time here to be able to review all this data,\" the presenter said. \"We expect that around August, 2025.\"","District administrators presented a refined plan and schedule for a proposed capital-improvement vote targeted at roughly $57.7 million, focusing on roofs, high-priority classroom renovations and phased air-conditioning for building \"hot spots,\" with Turner Construction engaged for pre-referendum services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bethlehem CSD placed in state 'needs assistance' for special education; district outlines training and staffing plan

Board approves minutes and grouped finance, personnel and support items; motion votes recorded as carried

Board honors student-athletes, appoints two student board members for 2025–26

Bethlehem CSD narrows scope of proposed $60M capital plan, eyes December 2025 referendum