Scotia‑Glenville superintendent lays out timeline to shrink four elementary schools to three; staff, safety and placement plans clarified

The Scotia‑Glenville Central School District superintendent on Monday outlined a multi-step plan to consolidate four elementary schools into three, describing timelines for student placement, staff discussions and facility work at Glendale.

“My goal in that process is that we ensure an equitable distribution of students and our special programs,” Superintendent Susan said, introducing a timeline the district will post to the Reimagining Our Schools website the following morning. She said the district must report the board’s consensus to the State Education Department in the coming week because that notification is required by law.

Susan said the consolidation plan aims to protect continuity of instruction, ensure student and staff safety, remain labor compliant and achieve fiscal gains. She said the district currently anticipates seven teacher reductions and that HR staff (Sarah and Joe Bush) will meet with affected employees by March 15 to discuss options and possible reassignment. The superintendent said the board will act on final staff-reduction recommendations in the weeks ahead and that May 1 is the target date for staff to receive reasonable-assurance letters about returning next year.

On student placement, Susan said the district hopes to notify most parents and students of new placements on or before March 31, though she cautioned that program-driven placements and late transfers could push some decisions into June or July. She said roughly 70 students are currently on “swap” and the district will attempt to return swap students to their home schools where feasible; students who were moved by the district will remain where they are until they request a change.

Facilities work includes an architect visit scheduled for March 2, when staff expect a building update and a design for fencing at Glendale. Susan told the board the plan calls for a single large fence rather than two separate fenced areas and that the district will rely on the architect’s design to address concerns raised about a child recently running out of a building and approaching a nearby road.

Transportation and boundaries are part of the planning work. Susan said the district will work with an outside consultant, Transpar, to model routes, create attendance boundaries and establish flex zones; route modeling and dry-run routing are expected to be complete by August 20 so the district can finalize pick-up and drop-off windows.

The superintendent described move logistics the district expects to complete this summer: IT and Buildings & Grounds will develop a move calendar by May 31; packing and material transfers are planned for July; cumulative student files and instructional materials will be moved and reestablished in the receiving buildings before the fall term.

Susan also described program relocations: two specialized programs at Glendale (including the district’s 15:1 program) will move to Lincoln and co-teaching will continue at Sacondaga; IEP-based services (resource room, consultant teacher and related services) will continue to be provided per each child’s plan.

On supports, Susan said additional counseling time was provided at Glen Wharton shortly after the board’s decision and that regular school supports (teachers, psychologists, social workers) and insurer-provided services (CDPHP and Highmark) remain available if students or staff request help.

Community members who spoke during public comment urged the board to prioritize safety and supervision for students with high needs. A resident who opened public comment cited a recent incident in which a child ran onto a field and warned, according to the speaker, that without adequate fencing or trained staff “he would've been out in the road.” The speaker pressed the board to ensure staff assigned to Glendale are prepared to supervise students who attempt to bolt from a building.

The superintendent closed by asking the public and board to review the posted timeline and submit questions; she said more detail will be available online and in subsequent communications from the district. The architect’s presentation on the Glendale fence is scheduled for March 2, and parents of currently enrolled students should expect placement notices by March 31, Susan said.

Next steps: the district will post the full timeline, continue student-placement work with CSE reviews and Transpar, and bring final staffing recommendations and the repurposing plan for Lehi Wharton back to the board for action in the coming weeks.