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Board backs expansion of STEAM for more elementary students, agrees to policy updates tied to Title IX
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Summary
The board discussed a budget-neutral plan to expand STEAM into fifth grade (replacing the IG program at that grade) and unanimously approved updates to Title IX/harassment policies, triggering a code-of-conduct committee meeting and planned parent notifications.
Board members discussed plans to expand the district’s STEAM program into additional elementary grades as a budget-neutral swap with the individual research/IG program at fifth grade. Doctor Muscari (district administrator) described the fourth-grade STEAM pilot and the STEAM curriculum’s project-based, technology and inquiry-focused activities, and said expanding the program would allow more than a handful of students to experience IRP-style work. “So miss Virocci was selected to be our STEAM teacher this year for fourth grade … she’s done a great job,” Muscari said.
Several board members expressed concern that the IG program historically served a small group of high-ability learners and asked how the district will continue to meet those students’ needs if IG sections are reduced or consolidated. Doctor Scanlon and Muscari said curriculum modifications and district-level coordination would seek to preserve enrichment opportunities; they also noted that New York State does not mandate a separate gifted-education program and that the district will explore ways to support high-ability students within the curriculum.
Separately, district counsel requested waiving first readings so that updated harassment, Title IX and equal-opportunity policies reflecting recent case law could be adopted immediately. The board moved to waive the first reading and approved those policies unanimously. The superintendent said the code-of-conduct committee will convene to align the code and notify parents via Infinite Campus by April 30 of changes that will be voted on at a subsequent meeting.
What happens next: Administration will finalize STEAM staffing proposals and present any personnel changes through the regular personnel process; code-of-conduct revisions will be prepared for board action and parent notification.
