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Superintendent Burke outlines staffing, safety and communications priorities ahead of 2025–26 school year
Summary
Superintendent Mr. Burke told the Rhinebeck Union Free School District board the district completed summer facility work, filled 10 vacancies, introduced a new security officer, launched ParentSquare communications and will enforce a state-mandated cell-phone policy as the district prepares for students to return Sept. 2.
Superintendent Mr. Burke welcomed the Rhinebeck school community and said he is "thrilled to welcome the entire Rhinebeck school community back for the 2025, 2026 school year." He listed summer facility projects, staff hires and communications changes intended to ease the opening of school.
"We completed masonry, renovation, and restoration at Daniel Warren and Effie Bellows, repaving at Nephew Bellows as well as the construction of our high school security vestibule," Mr. Burke said, thanking maintenance and custodial staff for preparing facilities.
On staffing, Mr. Burke said the district addressed "10 vacancies" prior to the first day and has added monitors, teaching assistants and teachers. He introduced the district's new security officer, Billy Carroll, and noted Carroll's experience in New York City and the Bronxville School District as relevant to managing a K–12 building.
Mr. Burke also highlighted athletics and community support: about 225 varsity and junior-varsity athletes and an additional 125 modified athletes are practicing with 33 coaches, and the Ryneak School Foundation donated new scoreboards for multiple fields.
To improve family communications, the district this year moved to the ParentSquare platform. "Starting this year, you received the district school grade level and classroom communications in 1 place and translated into your preferred language," Mr. Burke said, urging families to download the free mobile app.
On student conduct, Mr. Burke emphasized the district will follow New York State law on cell phones: "Students are reminded that the cell phone must be turned off and out of sight for the entirety of the school day per the New York State law." He credited a successful no-cell-phone trial at the high school in June led by Principal Melinda Facchetti and student volunteers.
Mr. Burke said his Year 1 entry plan will be posted to the district website and described the district's work with consultant Judy Wilson on phase two of the strategic plan, focused on inquiry-based learning, transformative learning environments and systems for professional learning.
The board later accepted the superintendent's entry plan as part of the meeting's consent and new-business actions.
