Guilderland schools facing $2.1M budget gap
District proposes eliminating 31 positions, tax cap falls at 3.5% increase
Guilderland Superintendent Marie Wiles presented the district’s draft budget Thursday, Feb. 28, which increases spending by more than $1.5 million, or 1.7 percent, to a total of $90.8 million. Around $2.1 million in cuts are needed for the district to present the 2013-14 budget within its tax cap threshold.
Crane teachers give hope to music students
SUNY Potsdam faculty visit high school, speak about state of music industry
Several Crane teachers came to Colonie Central High School on Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, where they performed and gave advice to students about where they can go with their musical skills. Performances included concerts by the Crane School of Music Symphony Orchestra and the Potsdam Brass Quintet.
BC talks athletics cuts
Four-level sports could be reduced to three levels, maintenance eyes $94k in reductions
The Bethlehem Board of Education continued 2013-14 budget development on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and discussed the athletics and operations and maintenance budgets. Athletics spending is proposed to increase by almost $26,000, and the operations and maintenance budget would increase $47,000.
Red Cross employee arrested
Police say man sent explicit texts to RCS student
Coeymans police have arrested an American Red Cross employee after he allegedly sent sexually explicit text messages to a Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk student after a recent blood drive.
Technology turns teaching upside down
North Colonie students watching lectures at home, doing work in class
Since September 2012, 60 North Colonie teachers have started dramatically changing how they teach their courses. Instead of the standard note taking in class and homework outside of class, they are making instructional videos for kids to watch at home and then spending the classroom time doing activities and labs based on the videos. It’s part of a teaching method called Flipped Learning.
No easy path for School’s Out
Variance requirements, neighborhood opposition threaten building sale
Bethlehem Central School District and School’s Out, Inc. are facing an uphill battle when it comes to finalizing the sale of 90 Adams Place.
Bethlehem fundraiser takes a wacky turn
For the past six years, Bethlehem Central faculty have gathered to play in a basketball game aimed at raising money to benefit the district’s classrooms. They’ll be doing the same this year, but with some notable twists.
Case of whooping cough at BC Middle School
Student has received medical attention, but parents should be aware that the disease is highly contagious.
NYSUT calls out tax cap
Area legislators ask for increased state aid to schools
Public schools are in the budget limelight as local lawmakers call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to modify aid distributions guidelines, while at the same time the state’s largest teachers union is suing to challenge the constitutionality of the state tax cap law.
New cafeteria rules pitched
More than six months after the federal government imposed tougher food service regulations for school districts across the county, the Department of Agriculture has proposed additional guidelines to make snacks sold in schools healthier
Club works to stem budget bleeding
South Colonie embarks on budget process with bleak picture
Last fall, when members of Colonie Central High School’s Key Club heard reductions meant the school’s health office was having trouble budgeting for Band-Aids, the club took action. In a few months, the students organized a donation drive and collected more than 200 boxes of Band-Aids to hand over to nurses.
Niskayuna schools facing tough cuts
Closure of middle or elementary school possible as $6M budget gap looms
The Niskayuna Central School District would need to raise taxes by 11.4 percent to maintain current programming and services, and making the least painful cuts would only bring that down to 8.9 percent.
Sending secrets
Frank Warren discusses years-long PostSecret Project at UAlbany visit
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, PostSecret creator Frank Warren gave a keynote presentation at the University at Albany as part of the college’s recognition of Sexuality Month
Saratoga schools updates lunch policy
The Saratoga Springs City School District has adopted a new school lunch policy after years of forgiving the debts of students who charged their lunches.
BC pegs budget gap at $5M
District calls on community to lobby for more state aid
At a school board meeting on Wednesday, February 6, the district released its budget projections for the coming year.
Blogs
- Voorheesville MS drafts pilot policy for electronic devices
- Local rapper writes SUNY anthem
- SCCC chairwoman reappointed to national committee
- SCCC School of Music Open House
- School board approves three-year agreement with Guilderland Teachers
- Schalmont seeks community input on superintendent search
- BCSD informs parents about centralized bus stops for 2012-13
- BOU to hold B-ball fundraiser
- BC to hold budget forum
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