Scotia-Glenville board launches reimagining process, hears budget strain and capital-project delays

At a recent Scotia-Glenville Central School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Susan Schwartz outlined a volunteer-led "Reimagining Our Schools" process that will use multiple subgroups and public engagement to make recommendations on possible school repurposing or closure, and the board received updates on the district budget and capital projects.

Schwartz said the district will allow anyone who volunteers to join the reimagining subgroups: "anyone who responds and would like to be a part of it, we will make them part of it." She said subgroups will review past enrollment studies, conduct public forums and surveys (including student input), and populate a timeline and agendas on a district website. She told the board the district aims to have any closure and moves occur in 2026 and said staff and families would be informed ahead of the 2026-27 school year so students and staff would know placements by Sept. 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The process could result in repurposing or closing a school building, with effects on attendance boundaries, bus routes and staffing. Schwartz emphasized that reductions in force are governed by contract seniority rules and are districtwide rather than tied to a particular building: "teachers are not granted seniority based on the building they're in. It's their time in the district regardless of their building or their cert and for their certification." That means staff identified for potential reduction would be those lowest on district seniority lists, not necessarily staff at a single building.

Budget pressures and special education

District business staff presented the fiscal report showing reduced fund balance and specific cost pressures.…