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Candidates back stronger arts, trades exposure and staff-driven electives expansion
Summary
Forum candidates praised district arts programs and described interest in exposing younger students to trades and pathways; they said adding electives is primarily an administrative/staff responsibility supported by the board.
Candidates at a Cohoes City School District forum praised the district’s arts programs and talked about ways to expand electives and career-pathway exposure.
Several candidates highlighted the growth of arts and extracurricular programs; one candidate noted the high school drama club recently appeared at regional theater awards. Susan Guzzi Paradis said she supports restoring and expanding music and arts at elementary levels so more students can participate. "I would really love to see music come back into the schools more as a program," she said.
Candidates also described programs that introduce younger students to trades and STEM. One candidate described a "future-ready pathways" or builders-of-tomorrow-style program that exposes elementary students to engineering, architecture and trades, but noted such programs require funding and volunteers.
On elective offerings in the high school, candidates said the board’s role is to enable and support staff. One candidate said administrators and teachers have grown extra-credit and college-credit opportunities substantially and the board should empower staff to expand classes based on student interest.
No formal district curricular changes were decided at the forum; candidates described priorities they would support if elected.
