New FM superintendent sworn in; district outlines plan to implement New YorkInspires portrait and phased graduation changes

Magda Parvi was formally sworn in as superintendent of the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District, repeating the oath of office before the board and the public.

The board then heard a multi-part presentation on New York StateInspires and the districtplan to implement a local K-12 Portrait of a Learner. A district presenter said the stateis moving away from using Regents exams as the sole route to graduation and will phase in new priority standards, a single diploma with multiple seals (for example, a Seal of Biliteracy and a Seal of Civic Readiness), and expanded definitions of credit that include project-based and community experiences.

The presentation emphasized that the transition is phased and long-term. "This change is about equity for all students and how we measure learning," the presenter said, describing a rollout that includes initial "installation" phases, a 2027'129 transition period and a 2029'30 release of a new transcript aligned to the portrait. District leaders said students in current juniors and seniors will see no immediate change, while cohorts entering high school later will move onto the new pathways.

Laurel Chiesa, the districtinstructional-technology director, described the District Curriculum Council's work producing six competencies the district calls "innovative thinkers, skillful collaborators, future-ready scholars, global citizens, mindful learners and effective communicators." High-school student Kira Coleman presented original graphics she designed to represent those competencies.

High school principal Patrick McNamara summarized a student focus group that explored personalized learning through four after-school sessions, producing student exemplars and a video. He told the board the work is intended K—2, not limited to high school, and that departments are already sharing classroom practices.

On assessment and advising for students in transition cohorts, board members pressed how counselors will advise families about whether to take available Regents exams and how colleges will interpret new evidence of learning. The district said much operational guidance will come from the state during the first installation phase and pledged additional counseling, family forums and communications in the interim.

The district also discussed near-term steps the board can take, including continued professional development, additional spaces and partnerships with local employers and higher-education institutions to support expanded pathways. The superintendent closed by inviting further public forums and regular updates through the phased rollout period.

The board moved on to its next agenda items after the presentation; no formal policy change was approved during this meeting.