Saugerties district previews budget pressures as students showcase local-industry project

Saugerties Central School District officials on Feb. 11 highlighted student work and early budget assumptions while the board approved routine personnel and finance items by voice vote.

Superintendent Dr. Ursic opened the evening with acknowledgements and budget context before the high school community showcased a student-produced video for a local employer and principals outlined academic and safety initiatives. "I'd like to thank Miss Molineaux and the board for having us," student Thomas Graniter told the board as his team described producing a short promotional video for Elna Magnetics that will be shared with the company for feedback. Senior high principal Shannon Molineaux described the project as aligned to the district’s strategic blueprint and the Plan Pilot project-based learning work: students interviewed employees, gathered b-roll, and began editing a rough cut with a target rough-cut deadline of Feb. 28.

Why it matters: District leaders used the presentation to link classroom work to local career pathways and to preview budget items and state-level policy changes that could affect operations. Molineaux also laid out curriculum and scheduling work intended to increase student voice, reduce conflicts in the master schedule and expand internships and college partnerships.

What the board heard and decided

- Student projects and Plan Pilot: Chelsea Defino, assistant principal and Plan Pilot lead, said Saugerties is one of 23 New York high schools in a three-year NYSED pilot evaluating alternative graduation pathways and project-based demonstrations of competency. Five teachers are piloting projects this year; Molineaux and Defino said other teachers are adopting project-based units beyond the pilot cohort.

- Career…