Ossining Board adopts broad 2025-26 district goals; approves staff appointments and authorizes executive session

The Ossining Union Free School District Board of Education on Sept. 3 adopted a set of district goals for the 2025-26 school year after a presentation by Superintendent Mary Fox Alter that framed the goals around equity, curriculum, facilities and governance.

Mary Fox Alter opened the work session by describing the goals as a "lighthouse" to guide building- and department-level planning and proposed a fiscal goal to "develop a fiscally responsible '26-27 budget that supports a high quality and equitable education opportunity for all students." She told trustees the administration will aim to incorporate grant-funded programs into the general fund where appropriate to respond to anticipated changes in federal and state funding.

The superintendent presented five broad goal areas: student equity (linked to the boards equity policy 0105), curriculum and instruction (including a curriculum review cycle and an ARC program implementation check-in), facilities (noting a $210,000,000 capital improvement bond project and specific work such as a two-story classroom addition at Brookside School), community engagement and governance (including continued use of the SuperEval tool and preparation for the 2026-27 superintendent search).

On equity, Fox Alter said the policy commits the district to "an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming school environment" and highlighted regular equity meetings, planned public service announcements, and an upcoming equity fair featuring student voices. She also noted Ossining is among five New York State districts participating in a P-TECH grant intended to provide students with college credits and career experiences in fields such as medical technology and cybersecurity.

Trustees asked for clarity on how the district would show the "how" the implementation plans and data underlying the goals. Trustee Rob asked when the board and public would see building-level SMART goals and data; Fox Alter said building presentations and elementary annual reports will begin in October and that state data will be shared once any embargoes lift. The superintendent emphasized that some measures (for example, IEP fidelity) are governed by law and must be handled accordingly.

The board moved and approved a package of agenda items related to the goals. By voice vote the board approved the resolution to adopt the district goals for 2025-26 (item 4.1) and related procedural items (4.24.4).

Votes at a glance - 4.1 Adopt district goals for 2025-26: approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - 4.2 Approve minutes of annual reorganization meeting (07/09/2025): approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - 4.3 Approve minutes of special meeting (07/09/2025): approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - 4.4 Designate officials to act at the special meeting: approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - 5.1 Interfund transfers (consent agenda): approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - 6.1, 6.2, 6.46.9 Personnel and volunteer resolutions (grouped): approved by voice vote (tally not specified).

Personnel and appointments The board moved item 6.3 earlier in the agenda to confirm a professional staff appointment. Mary Fox Alter introduced Sierra Ramirez, who was appointed as an English teacher at AMD; a board member noted Ramirez holds a masters degree and has classroom experience at KIPP Academy.

Travel and professional development Trustees discussed attending the National School Boards Associations Advocacy & Equity Institute (early-bird registration noted as $600 before Nov. 14). Board staff reported a training appropriation (initial $26,008.80; current unencumbered balance $26,001.52). Trustees debated whether out-of-state professional development should require advance board approval and asked staff to return with policy language; several trustees indicated interest in early registration to secure lower fees.

Code of conduct and next steps Superintendent Fox Alter notified the board that a revised code of conduct had been published for a 30-day hearing and that Anne Daley will present the code at an upcoming meeting to satisfy state guidelines. The administration said it will provide building-level presentations, state data when available, and schedule the curriculum review and other goal-related updates into upcoming meeting agendas.

Executive session At the meetings end, the board voted to enter executive session "for the purposes of discussing medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to appointment, employment, promotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person or corporation." The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next The administration will present more detailed SMART goals and building-level data in the boards October cycle and will bring back policy language and cost estimates related to out-of-state professional development and travel. The revised code of conduct presentation is scheduled to meet the required public-comment timeline.