[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6487667,"mediaKeyId","5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b","parentId",5565265,"title","Parents, students urge Niskayuna district to restore Chamber Strings and preserve symphony instrumentation","audioSeconds",835,"startMs",4065000,"endMs",4900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b&start=4065&end=4900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b/thumbnail_4065000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487667/New-York/Parents-students-urge-Niskayuna-district-to-restore-Chamber-Strings-and-preserve-symphony-instrumentation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487667-b7768cb20c2dbe3c702dafff79e79925/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495521&Signature=B4x7q-j2l01PWzpFPRce0yxCi6PGfJHaoOgq6dxpFJyyoRzzVy8-ZZsX8c1JYKEDbwAGTb4tI5CM6IZXs~4i2Prq8iJqp-VGHDxvYgI6KHA3PKavxXy8fIOCYgvuPifmpsEg5Z51ORwrZQyoIG1e-vBHmy-DN4gpHqjHSAcZlg24FWo3v5A2d4Rxa8iEgzhO9jabRZzRQ7VP70vi3ZQYtCVv0L8JEnhch5gG7OxMP1cHFjzE~DIM74iusOm~2bN-ZbMxwQFqUTqXf~1ZEYgUpGSwhRcbJ9zfhuKKYWGZtWGkHtihr6rb7zsSQdr02vsWXZ~9R-g3rUXJ~~vaXl-r0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-08-12T22:01:29Z","article","Parents, recent graduates and students told the Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 that the district should restore the Chamber Strings class and preserve wind and brass participation in the high school symphony.

At the board's public session, student speaker Sean Calhoun described the Chamber Strings experience as \"a really enriching experience,\" and said recent changes seemed to remove brass and winds from the symphony orchestra, leaving \"just an additional string orchestra.\" Parent Jed Pack said Chamber Strings had been \"an island of joy\" for his daughter and asked the board to keep the program available. Recent graduate Kyle Markham told the board he had gained leadership and community-outreach opportunities through Chamber Strings and urged the district to find a way to run the class and to \"allow the brass and wind players to continue to join with the string players at Symphony.\"

Superintendent Carl Mumtay told the board the district had removed Chamber Strings because of \"very low demand\" and \"very low enrollment\" and said enrollment in that ensemble had been \"either 4 or 5 students for the entire ensemble.\" He said course offerings and staffing decisions are driven by enrollment and personnel, and that district music staff are working to rebuild participation by placing ensembles in the school day at the middle level. Mumtay said Jess Moore and Eric Hughes, the director of music, were working with faculty to explore options before the start of the year.

The superintendent said the administration remains \"committed to our music program\" and highlighted longer-term investments in middle-school ensembles and facilities intended to boost student numbers and create demand for high-school ensembles.

Board materials and the superintendent's report indicate the administration is continuing to meet with music department staff and will reassess scheduling and staffing as course-selection and staffing work concludes before the school year.

If the district takes further staffing or course-offering action, that would appear in future board agendas and staff reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8.12.2025 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Parents, recent graduates and students told the Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 that the district should restore the Chamber Strings class and preserve wind and brass participation in the high school symphony.","taxTitle","NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",56859,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6487658,"Niskayuna district outlines \"Be Present, Be Engaged\" rollout: Yondr pouches, lockers and phased enforcement planned",626,6638000,7264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b&start=6638&end=7264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b/thumbnail_6638000.jpg","/articles/6487658/New-York/Niskayuna-district-outlines-Be-Present-Be-Engaged-rollout-Yondr-pouches-lockers-and-phased-enforcement-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487658-118f6adf01063cc38724eb0d99175a25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495521&Signature=mwm1XwpYqf8snTYA1hO5OLynE5CxwpuGdTkXmpRnXUqKujOhbQGAa2YVzWLBENMvH8OLW0MVaDavdsMYt6vGHRRoWuTyC2AjRNKnPV9TjKLsDoTUeJJSO92jZ95-Smystx8E41znW3~khWG6YSbuO4SOOuYqcULDY8jUuApxUXs8t7EzW1utjUHpcuf00WkICGiAKcckeBng3MHAsD4sTurBBqiGhN7UOOWyvjHd2j3txowfeDYFL98PPivi~GUr27N5Giv4DhDh29BxRMbSbp8SDRzcZcGXoLaLlHoFRc7TfoaKWzsz~pBEDlvLiBi~9YscayAsQitovtqEFtCj8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Niskayuna Central School District presented an implementation plan on Aug. 12 for the state's new restrictions on student use of cell phones and internet-connected devices.

Superintendent Carl Mumtay described the district's plan as the \"how\" to implement the state mandate and said the district has \"branded this not a ban, not a restriction, not a mandate. We branded this be present and be engaged because we really believe that the best possible outcome for this state mandate is that our schools become a place where students enjoy and value personal interaction\" during the school day.

Key elements of the plan presented to the board:
- Elementary schools: students will be prohibited from bringing cell phones to school, consistent with past district practice.
- Van Antwerp (grade 6 beginning in September): a centralized storage solution (office lockers or adjacent storage) will be used for the few sixth graders who bring phones.
- Iroquois Middle School and Niskayuna High School: the district will use Yondr pouches. Each student will be assigned a pouch to carry and secure their phone during the day; students bring the pouch home nightly. Designated stations on campus and exterior-mounted unlocking stations will allow students to unlock pouches when leaving campus or if they need access after dismissal.

Administrators emphasized a phased enforcement approach. The district's high-school principal, Anthony Malizzi, said the district visited Bethlehem's program to learn from its implementation and that the district will communicate distribution details, expectations, and use instructions to families. Technology director Gus Gardel and building principals will support logistics. Building principals will use \"logical and progressive consequences\" and staff anticipate a learning curve rather than immediate, strict enforcement.

The board and administrators discussed practical details raised by student representatives: random checks used in some districts, how to handle forgotten or lost pouches, replacement costs and life cycle, accommodation for students with medical devices (district said Yondr provides Velcro/alternative pouches), and use of nonconnected audio devices. Staff said replacement costs would be modest, discussed a range of figures during the meeting, and plan to include replacement budgeting in annual technology allocations.

Communications staff will launch a multi-pronged messaging campaign beginning the day after the meeting, including a landing page, Q&A, email and ParentSquare updates for families and staff. Building principals and assistant principals will be primary contacts once school opens.

The plan was presented for board review and public information; the meeting record shows discussion and operational clarifications rather than a formal separate vote adopting additional policy language at this session.","The district presented an implementation plan on Aug. 12 to comply with the state mandate limiting student cell-phone use, centered on Yondr pouches, centralized lockers for younger students, exterior unlock stations, and phased enforcement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6487663,"Niskayuna board adopts districtwide safety plan, adds language making SRO references contingent on board approval",217,6034000,6251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b&start=6034&end=6251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b/thumbnail_6034000.jpg","/articles/6487663/New-York/Niskayuna-board-adopts-districtwide-safety-plan-adds-language-making-SRO-references-contingent-on-board-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487663-722bc9d66b2786d506d6b101c28092d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495521&Signature=PyeKBrNlUTEgXQNn2UOSnu-nd6u4hnXZPE-109IsTYBA0WVRjQNPgxlEJrF~Qz3izMzxYgOENU20beBSDafpENJBz1za7pXkx4Y7C7yII5DBVvnf1311f4YPxM6GLfQHogAvocB71MR9mRnZ~ZEls6rcS-yIQAbdsrLY~njEMcWMc~b6qo~uazF14rY6zqGGApENITS~Zjp87rC-X7gf5MJLeXWhMt2RHFoIhyuM-VLS7gLJVyLDwIMf7iiGlMuztwiZ6yIb~Ol1HI~~dcyKjAW5EF3FCax7nF~zxRB7mXD9IIdTzVpSsjVcnwdn44Y5i8ejxhI-j7VnDD5-SesESg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education adopted its districtwide safety plan on Aug. 12 after a public hearing that drew no public comments. Board members amended the plan to make any reference to a proposed school resource officer contingent on subsequent board approval of an operating agreement.

Board members explained the amendment during discussion. One board member asked that every reference to an SRO be modified to read that an SRO would be appointed \"upon board approval,\" and staff said they would \"ensure that every reference to the SRO makes it clear it is contingent upon an approved operating agreement for such services approved by the board.\" The amendment failed on the first vote (2 in favor, 4 opposed) but was reintroduced and adopted with the new language; the board recorded six votes in favor after the amendment was moved and seconded.

The board had posted the districtwide safety plan for a 30-day public comment period before the hearing, and board materials include both the district-level plan and confidential building-level safety plans. Administrators said they will crosswalk the district plan and make the same SRO contingency edits in any building-level plans.

No public speakers addressed the safety plan at the hearing. The board's action adopts the districtwide plan with the added language making SRO references contingent on a future board-approved operating agreement.","After a public hearing with no testimony, the Niskayuna Board of Education adopted the districtwide safety plan Aug. 12 but amended references to a proposed school resource officer so any SRO role is contingent on a future board-approved operating agreement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6487653,"Votes at a glance: Niskayuna board passes minutes, tax warrant, internal auditor appointment and superintendent contract; SRO agreement tabled",158,6252000,6410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b&start=6252&end=6410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565265-53ff29a45556041ce1d3a8625d0d222b/thumbnail_6252000.jpg","/articles/6487653/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Niskayuna-board-passes-minutes-tax-warrant-internal-auditor-appointment-and-superintendent-contract-SRO-agreement-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487653-789be7e462e5e2ab16e4a4f596751b22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495521&Signature=WGA1ZWg~vn~R4LUDf2Ryx98KJ6Vqglem5emmpx1vAVqKuaie~1d~KKh9aJ53p0wOqADJchDUbnbmFAK5ETXXca0Q0pT6Rj~B3QL6qKugaBjeMotj7i97CtFAJjrd4wJrVDCgilB6~9EAfDK~JmLpwiQcg~05F1v5BR2o1VHjum6r2qyVne6hLvP9DVTcZlUaenh75rhBqrfUQBkNBz6IUJtyLUKc70isS0Wn4MuVDFTzN~xrLwr8mmot2j0jLRY~5D7ipUsPZoTTWYARnrhnUPa832PFl5mvL8iO097phvgR1ipepeAOLmGY3bcFcckyN-UyiZRgRyZvIqEWhT7J1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education recorded several formal actions on Aug. 12. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript are summarized below.

- Approval of minutes: The board approved minutes from the July 1 organizational and regular meeting and the July 22 special meeting. Recorded vote: 5 to 0 in favor.

- Districtwide safety plan: The board adopted the districtwide safety plan, with an amendment that makes any references to a school resource officer contingent on subsequent board approval of an operating agreement (see separate article).

- Tax rates, tax levies and tax warrants for 2025-26: The board approved the tax rates, tax levies and tax warrants for the 2025-26 school year (agenda item 2c). Recorded vote: not specified in the transcript for that motion.

- Appointment of internal auditor: The board appointed Questar III BOCES as the district's internal auditor following an RFP process. Recorded vote: 6 to 0 in favor.

- School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement: The board had an agenda item to approve an SRO agreement. Board members reported they had received the memorandum of understanding that day and moved to table the item for a later meeting to allow more review. The motion to table passed; the transcript records the item as tabled (vote tally not consistently recorded in the transcript).

- Superintendent agreement (07/01/2025 \u00002 06/30/2028): The board approved the appointment of Carl Mumtay as superintendent for the 2025\u000028 through 06/30/2028 and authorized the board president to execute the contract. Recorded vote: 6 in favor.

- Course addition: The board approved adding a Public Speaking course in the English department for grades 11-12 beginning in 2026-27 (agenda item 2g). Recorded vote: not specified in the transcript for that motion.

- Consent agenda and emergency field maintenance: The consent agenda passed as moved; a separate motion approving an emergency application of pesticides/herbicides on athletic fields prompted extended discussion. Administrators argued the application was timed to avoid student exposure and to address turf safety; some board members urged exploration of nonchemical alternatives. The transcript shows the motion passed after discussion (vote tallies for the pesticide/herbicide motion were not unambiguously recorded in the transcript excerpts).

Where the transcript recorded vote counts, they are reported above; where the transcript did not clearly record a roll call total, the entry above reflects that the motion passed according to the meeting record or that the item was tabled.","The board approved minutes, tax rates/warrants, appointed Questar III BOCES as internal auditor, approved a superintendent contract, approved a public speaking course proposal, and tabled the SRO agreement for later review. The district also approved a limited emergency application of herbicide on athletic fields after discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents, students urge Niskayuna district to restore Chamber Strings and preserve symphony instrumentation

Niskayuna district outlines "Be Present, Be Engaged" rollout: Yondr pouches, lockers and phased enforcement planned

Niskayuna board adopts districtwide safety plan, adds language making SRO references contingent on board approval

Votes at a glance: Niskayuna board passes minutes, tax warrant, internal auditor appointment and superintendent contract; SRO agreement tabled