Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Service topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
High school student asks South Colonie board to allow short-term clothing and pet-supply collection boxes for Eagle Scout project
Summary
Andrew "AJ" Balci, an 11th-grade student and life scout, asked the board on March 11 for permission to place decorated collection boxes at several district schools and village locations for a limited-duration pet-supplies drive to benefit local animal shelters.
Andrew "AJ" Balci, an 11th-grade student at Colonie Central High School, asked the South Colonie Central School District Board of Education at its March 11 meeting for permission to place decorated collection boxes for a limited-duration pet-supplies and linens drive as part of his Eagle Scout project.
"My name is Andrew Balci, but as miss Coogan has stated, I would like to be referred to as AJ this evening," Balci told the board. He said his troop would provide materials and workforce and that he had verbal confirmation to place boxes at the village hall and BOCES. "With your support, we'll be able to help animal shelters like Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in their time of need," he said.
Nut graf: Balci requested temporary permission to place decorated boxes inside main entrances at Colony Central High School, Elijah Kell Middle School and Sand Creek Middle School for a two-to-four-week collection period in April or May (timing dependent on council paperwork). He told the board the troop would monitor and empty boxes and would coordinate donations with a local shelter.
Board response and next steps
Board members asked procedural questions about monitoring, promotion and principal approval. Board members offered support: one board member said staff could help promote the drive once Balci provided a list of items, and Balci said he had community offers for boxes and supplies.
The superintendent, Doctor Perry, told Balci the board would "take this under consideration, and we will have doctor Perry get in touch with you" about next steps and final permission. No formal vote was taken; the board did not deny the request.
Ending: Balci left contact information with the district; staff said they would follow up with principals and with the student to confirm timing and logistics.
