[{"_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":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",6035554,"mediaKeyId","5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2","parentId",5099723,"title","District IT and facilities staff warn of security risks, aging equipment and rising replacement costs","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3734000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2&start=3734&end=3734","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035554/New-York/District-IT-and-facilities-staff-warn-of-security-risks-aging-equipment-and-rising-replacement-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035554-ef89e1b3041578a4ce4ae2115081a13c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803937&Signature=YVI28EquVPPLrd7pF0eMnPMAhzyMTG1sTU9~j1xKtwQ7nyqMlh1JpOI1qvt5jrl6E7fB2QxCwLU6ZlN37C60dhalxcipszjUoxSApf0I7FXq5EnXExy1h-LDuiU-~CE~WJ7ieFXIYE25sWeHwuYyfxXRnVQ9r-BfVTTVgUnjrAA1t8zcRT~jZG6FCYfUtacaDozLXAXHy3X1~nErsOjlJ30yCicQ8jc3kjcElJb~iXaP9tcU6o7jLqDCGMoCJZQK9OVpan5qz1oV0ig0c3AQkMYPfl3EC2ACt8E8fLNeLYJSyzBO-3I5rhmJtCWy4p5lwqC18yvVcWC9NezfrKqovg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Horseheads Central School District","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","District technology and facilities staff told the board the IT and facilities budgets include multiple pressing needs: replacement of aging 1:1 devices, a Windows 10-to-11 compatibility issue affecting vendor software, network and security equipment, and roughly 500 security cameras that require ongoing maintenance.

Why it matters: aging devices and unsupported operating systems can present security vulnerabilities; planned purchases and staffing decisions affect both instructional delivery and district cyber-risk exposure.

The technology coordinator explained that some core vendor software used by building security and other systems only supports Windows 10 and that Microsoft has ended mainstream security support for Windows 10. \"To have a Windows 10 machine on our network right now is a security risk,\" the coordinator said, and staff are working with BOCES and vendors to isolate or upgrade systems where possible.

Staff said the equipment line includes laptops, lab desktops, Promethean panels and network infrastructure (switches, access points, cabling) and that some items can be purchased through BOCES to recover aid. The IT presentation estimated recurring small-repair costs (for example keyboard replacements) and larger equipment purchases, and described training and certification steps for new technicians.

Facilities staff discussed bus procurement and a $1.9 million authorization to purchase school buses that gives the district flexibility on the number bought. Staff warned manufacturers can adjust state-bid prices because of force-majeure clauses, and bus cost increases are expected to be passed along by vendors.

Board members asked whether the district could sustain its 1:1 device plan; staff said current purchases will carry the district through the coming year but long-term sustainability requires either phased replacement or higher recurring spending. Members requested clearer multi-year replacement schedules and cost estimates to include in budget scenarios.

The board did not take a formal vote on IT or facilities purchases beyond consent items that were part of the consent agenda; administrators said they will return with refined equipment and vehicle cost estimates for the budget scenarios the board requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCSD BOE Meeting 3 13 25","oneSentenceSummary","District technology and facilities staff briefed the board on aging laptops, Windows 10 compatibility issues, more than 500 security cameras and the need for vehicle/bus purchases; they asked the board to include equipment and staffing needs in the budget scenarios.","taxTitle","HORSEHEADS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38709,"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},6035559,"Unified sports and athletics spending grow as district weighs uniform, coaching and travel costs",4577,256000,4833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2&start=256&end=4833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6035559/New-York/Unified-sports-and-athletics-spending-grow-as-district-weighs-uniform-coaching-and-travel-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035559-e302d5b0d8b0325f575a9be658261402/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803937&Signature=GPtCQHhOyVDWCwolbngjAFaG6cE~yjm7vxwAABm1oZXR6-zC~K7NBqx47M-4cxicf4Tm~7~GdX3g2kxDsus~pO0WyoRCiYQWm-jIcS27k7Ce1TF27A5znZjk-i-g1bnjM1tY4fsRY5BzdYL1BquE3TvPyfIeoZywSrXleYNMa3xR-dEGy0WwFgAvQcG7n8fpWu~q2BO88c1WQx3vbtej9erHfJdabBfF1KNP1DHgO5Bs0BggMwIHoyFPSQgHR30ZgdjVJuaT9LA8nudhAPoW4YkyT9bJLpIUu1xuiLaXQm2bRvyIBCrWqPtGh6l0xAZDYUTqbQlSKOE-QFoVpgm1oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A parent and community members urged continued support for Unified Sports during the public comment portion of the HORSEHEADS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education meeting, and district administrators told the board the number of athletic teams and coaches has grown substantially — a development that is increasing costs for uniforms, equipment and postseason travel.

Why it matters: Growth in participation drives recurring costs — stipends, uniforms on a multi-year replacement cycle, equipment rotation (notably helmets) and officials’ fees — and board members said they want to preserve participation while balancing the district budget.

Parent speaker Chesley Beckman identified herself and described long experience with the district, praising Unified Sports and asking the board to continue support. \"Our staff and our students are still doing amazing life changing things,\" Beckman said during public comment, and she urged the board to demonstrate professionalism and to prioritize students.

Athletics director and other staff reported the district now fields roughly 70 interscholastic teams and that total coach counts grew from about 74 two years ago to roughly 100 this year to meet participation demand. Unified bowling alone had 46 participants this year, requiring two teams.

Administrators told the board the district is moving toward regularized replacement cycles for uniforms and equipment; they plan five-year cycles for some uniforms and a 10-year rotation plan for helmets, funded by buying roughly 10 percent of a program's helmets each year to avoid large one-year replacements. The athletics presentation also noted increased referee/official costs and rising equipment prices (for example, high-quality football helmets can approach several hundred dollars each).

Coaching stipends and hiring were discussed: pay and steps are set contractually and are influenced by experience and certification; the board heard that some positions (including parent coaches who are hired) follow the same stipend structure as district employees.

Several board members said they do not want to cut existing programs. Board member Gina and others said they would prefer to attempt a tax-cap challenge or use limited short-term tools before reducing staff or programs; others asked administration to identify modest savings options and to prioritize items the board could consider cutting if necessary.

The board did not adopt any policy changes on athletics at the meeting. Administrators said budget decisions this spring will determine whether proposed additions for next year can be funded and asked the board for direction on whether to proceed with additions such as new uniforms or expanded stipends.","Public comments praised Unified Sports; administrators and coaches told the board participation and teams have expanded substantially, increasing costs for uniforms, equipment, coaches and postseason travel and prompting discussion of how to pay for that growth in the 2025–26 budget.",{"_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},6035560,"Horseheads board weighs cuts, tax-cap challenge and reserves to close $2.47M budget gap",6756,1147000,7903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2&start=1147&end=7903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099723-e24a99b3d7bb81e40b9060ff15442bf2/thumbnail_1147000.jpg","/articles/6035560/New-York/Horseheads-board-weighs-cuts-tax-cap-challenge-and-reserves-to-close-247M-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035560-259c4b265342eb7ad43d1307d3b79b95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803937&Signature=EbFzidNh-lTPJ2NNZfIX36~9IV0up-0c65p0ZLIhG2dV~PQrL-kDz0nvxkpDH94FSTVya05c07CrpizIxwjKD1zW2Uuw-5zjbBdh~NX9TFseZnjiLjwq30yeJDJ4-WT8uEQeTfTkLvok4Cba4~iCDiBvkn0xavi57-m9KAQSHz13MdC9VxP5zxFPRfb7lsZlgSfoG2uUY3Mkn-ZpttgaPmLunB6TaPheN~Xfi8i-6qD8Ok-eL0QVwBLa4D6bWIYCPEFMFiiuYZHtMoxAmCSPAGsaf7bd72cfbxHn3~qsODQC6CeSqtmqAOTieEz2FJxeRCYlF1u2M7tOWPZRwa91mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Horseheads Central School District superintendent presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget Thursday showing a $2,471,043 shortfall and a proposed tax-levy increase of 7.12 percent, and asked the board for direction on whether to cut programs or pursue a tax-cap challenge.

The budget presentation delivered to the Board of Education broke down revenues and tools already assumed — allowable levy growth, ERS reserves, interfund transfers and a $1 million use of fund balance — and still showed the 2.471-million-dollar gap, the superintendent said.

Why it matters: the board must set a tax levy and certify what to present to voters; choices this spring will determine whether programming and staffing are cut, reserves are used, or the district asks voters for a levy above the legal tax-cap threshold that requires a 60 percent approval.

The superintendent said state aid remains uncertain, noting the governor’s budget proposal includes increases in foundation aid but that the district is among “the 300 school districts that received the bare minimum increase of 2 percent.” He warned federal and state program changes — including possible changes to school meals — could affect revenues and costs.

Board members pressed for concrete scenarios. Board member Dan (first name given in the transcript) proposed taking off the list of proposed additions presented by administration as a first step and asked for a scenario that would keep the levy under 10 percent. Board member Gina said she would be comfortable challenging the cap to preserve programs but wanted to see how much additional revenue a modest increase (for example 2–2.75 percent over the cap) would generate. Several board members said they preferred not to further draw down the district’s minimum recommended unassigned fund balance.

Administrators outlined tools already included in the package: the allowable tax-levy limit calculation, about $500,000 in ERS reserve use, interfund transfers and $1 million in fund balance. The superintendent described a phased plan for using debt-service funds over several years to avoid a single-year spike in required taxes.

Board members and administrators discussed other budget drivers: rising health insurance and retirement costs, staffing shortages, growth in student enrollment that increases transportation and extracurricular cost pressures, and the need to phase technology and equipment spending to avoid large single-year purchases.

Several members asked for three scenarios to be prepared for the board: (1) cuts sufficient to stay at the tax cap (7.12 percent levy as presented), (2) a balanced scenario that uses limited reserves or debt service to lower immediate tax impact, and (3) a scenario that proposes a tax-cap override with estimates of likely dollar impacts and required voter thresholds.

Votes and motions at the meeting included standard procedural items and consent agendas. The board also discussed timeline constraints: final levy decisions and required public notices must fit the district’s calendar for voter consideration. Administrators said clearer numbers from Albany on state aid are expected before final adoption and asked for direction from the board by the board’s upcoming deadlines.

The board did not adopt a final levy or formal cuts at the meeting; members directed administration to return with the scenarios described and continued discussion at later work sessions and meetings.","Superintendent presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget with a $2.471 million gap and a proposed 7.12% levy increase; the board discussed options including program reductions, using reserves/debt-service, or exceeding the tax cap and asked administration for scenarios.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District IT and facilities staff warn of security risks, aging equipment and rising replacement costs

Unified sports and athletics spending grow as district weighs uniform, coaching and travel costs

Horseheads board weighs cuts, tax-cap challenge and reserves to close $2.47M budget gap