The Scotia‑Glenville Central School District Board of Education voted on Dec. 8 to open the 2026–27 school year with three K–5 elementary schools, adopting the administration’s recommendation intended to address declining enrollment and close an estimated budget shortfall.

Superintendent Short introduced the recommendation after a presentation from district finance and operations staff that traced last year’s budget cycle and current fiscal pressures. The district’s initial gap projection during development was described as about 6.33% (roughly $4.0 million). Following reductions and a defeated budget cycle, administration reported an adopted spending increase of 2.19% this year and described measures that closed approximately a $2.8 million gap, including FTE reductions and revenue adjustments. The presentation noted a budgeted $525,000 in interest income for 2025–26 and cautioned that falling interest rates and future Federal Reserve adjustments could reduce that revenue and worsen the 2026–27 gap.

The board’s discussion focused on program continuity, transportation and equity. District staff presented transportation routing scenarios and cost estimates prepared with district transportation staff; staff said current routing assumptions and aid levels (reported at roughly 70–72% on allowable expenses) mean the district would not need additional buses or drivers under the Glen Warden closure scenario, though annual vehicle miles and some net costs would increase. Administrators also emphasized that mothballing a building still carries baseline utilities and security costs.

Public comment before the vote included parents and staff who urged strong safeguards for special‑needs students (fenced play areas, staff training) and transition planning; other public speakers criticized the timeline and committee process and said the decision risks creating inequitable class sizes across schools. Amy Marlette told the board she believed the committee process was rushed and that the choice would create unequal classroom sizes described as a split between “village kids” and others. Sarah Hoffman, president of the Scotia Glenville Teachers Association, separately raised a grievance about a tutoring vacancy that the union said was not posted as required by contract.

Board members who supported the motion said the recommendation balanced fiscal responsibility and student needs; some members urged the administration to provide additional financial and transportation detail, and to use swing‑zone adjustments and other tools to monitor class sizes and transitions. Opponents asked for more data on Glendale and SAC scenarios and raised concerns about long‑term costs and staffing impacts.

The motion to adopt the three K–5 configuration was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote; no roll‑call tally was announced on the record. The board directed staff to continue detailed planning, to provide requested transportation timing data and to refine transition and staffing projections for implementation work in January and February.