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Three Village Central School District board accepts committee recommendation not to close elementary schools; will prioritize moving SAC out of aging portables
Summary
The board voted to accept a committee report advising against closing any elementary school at this time and recommended relocating SAC facilities out of aging portables into main school buildings where feasible; board members noted the projected savings of $1.5 million is modest compared with larger budget gaps and asked staff to continue planning and reconvene the committee annually.
The Three Village Central School District board on Wednesday voted to accept the school closure and repurpose committee’s recommendation that no elementary school be closed at this time and to explore relocating SAC facilities housed in aging portables into existing school buildings where practicable.
"We are recommending that no elementary school should be closed at this time," said Lisa Rickmers, a parent and district resident, as she presented the committee’s four recommendations. The committee also urged the board to reconvene the panel annually to revisit the issue as circumstances evolve and asked the board to factor in financial and programmatic impacts if the North Country administration building is sold or leased and programs are moved.
The decision came after board members praised the committee’s work but raised practical concerns. "The number that surprised me was really the cost savings was only $1.5 million," said Dr. Back, a board member, noting the district faced a much larger shortfall last year (about $8 million). He said the projected savings could help but would not solve the district’s broader budget gap.
Dr. Lee, a board member, asked whether moving SAC programs into main buildings would free up space for universal prekindergarten or other programs if a school were closed; staff replied that capacity varies by building. They said some schools could reconfigure cafeterias or gym space to house programs, while the two schools that would absorb the majority of students in some closure scenarios would be "tight at best." Staff also said moving SAC out of portables addresses safety and maintenance concerns because many portables were installed decades ago and require substantial upkeep.
Board members discussed transportation implications and the possibility of redistricting if programs or central offices were relocated. The board decided to accept the committee’s report and to continue discussions at future meetings; the motion to accept the recommendations was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote (individual votes were not recorded in the transcript).
The meeting then moved to the consent agenda. Dr. Duski reported personnel items including one instructional retirement, substitute and non-instructional appointments, and several coach appointments and hourly assignments for the 2025–26 school year; the consent agenda was approved. The board adjourned thereafter.
The committee’s recommendations emphasize prioritizing student safety by reducing reliance on aging portable classrooms, monitoring capacity implications if building uses change, and reviewing the issue annually. Next procedural steps noted by board members include further discussion at upcoming meetings and additional analyses on transportation and space reconfiguration.
