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Clintondale board authorizes possible staff reductions amid projected enrollment decline, 4–2
Summary
Trustees authorized the superintendent to proceed with staffing reductions for the 2026–27 school year—"up to" eight CEA positions, five AFSCME positions and up to two administrators—after debate over data and timing; motion passed 4–2 following a failed effort to table.
The Clintondale Board of Education voted 4–2 to authorize the superintendent and human-resources team to implement staffing reductions for the 2026–27 school year, citing projected enrollment declines. The superintendent said the recommendation covered "up to" eight CEA members, five AFSCME members and up to two administrators and pointed to a multi-year trend of falling enrollment.
Trustee debate focused on the lack of a final, itemized impact analysis. Trustee Ms. Valeriano and others stressed the need to balance the budget; one trustee urged patience and argued the board must be able to act now to meet statutory budget deadlines. Trustee Ms. Wilson and Trustee Mr. Wilson opposed the motion, saying they did not have enough specific information to support an "up to" authorization and noting that recent resignations had not been incorporated into the rolling totals.
Public commenters, including Kristen Murray (an instructional assistant), urged the board to consider student-support roles and to ensure that central-office planning preserves services for students with higher needs. During discussion the superintendent said the district’s budget is about 81% staffing costs and that the "up to" numbers are used to plan for a range of outcomes because state funding and final enrollment can change after June.
The motion to table the item until May 11 failed on a 3–3 tie. The subsequent roll-call authorizing the reductions passed 4–2 with Yes votes from Ms. Valeriano, Mr. Maynard, Ms. Santini and Ms. McDowell; No votes from Mr. Wilson and Ms. Wilson.
What’s next: The superintendent will finalize counts as state funding and enrollment numbers firm up; any specific layoffs, reductions or recalls will be presented to the board as they are identified.
