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Parents and board members praise staff and push for wider suspension-policy review; concerns raised about special education and classroom heat
Summary
A parent praised a district staff member for supporting her child; Superintendent Colletti recognized newly tenured staff and student programs. Board members urged broader review of the suspension policy, encouraged participation in the special education audit, and raised concerns about classroom temperatures as summer approaches.
A Schenectady parent used the public-comment period to urge the board to recognize a staff member for persistent student support while board members and the superintendent highlighted recent district work and policy next steps.
During public comment Janet Melendez Palino (S6) introduced herself as a district employee speaking as a mother and said a staff member she called “Miss D” provided sustained support to her daughter through academic and personal challenges. Melendez Palino said her daughter decided on her own to pursue college and a career in social work, citing the staff member as an inspiration: "You gotta sit to college? … I wanna be like Miss D. I wanna help students like Miss D." She asked the board to look favorably on that employee.
Superintendent Colletti (S1) thanked the community for turnout in the recent vote, congratulated newly elected members and re-elected Bernice Rivera, and recognized "well over 70" staff receiving tenure this year. Colletti also highlighted district partnerships, student trips, and upcoming events; he gave dates for secondary summer school (July 8–Aug. 13), Regents exams (Aug. 18–19), GED graduation (June 4) and the class of 2026 commencement (June 25 at the M&T Bank Center).
On unfinished business the board recalled prior discussion of the suspension policy and agreed to send the draft back to the policy committee for broader input. The chair said the policy committee will invite teachers, administrators, parents and possibly students to review alignment between the suspension policy and the district code of conduct.
Board member Jamaica (S7) described participating in the district's special education audit and urged more parent participation in that review. Jamaica also raised facility concerns, noting some classrooms lack air conditioning and that recent days have reached above 90 degrees; she asked the board to plan supports to keep classrooms within the state threshold and the district’s warning sign.
The chair later moved the meeting into executive session to discuss a student disciplinary matter related to an interim alternative educational setting (IAES), and the motion carried.
The public portion of the meeting concluded after routine consent items and announcements.
