BUDGET PRESENTATION: APRIL 19 2023

The Schenectady City School District Board of Education adopted a $265,267,298 2023-2024 Budget Proposal at the meeting on April 19. The spending plan reflects an increase of $26 million or 10.91 percent over the current year with no impact on the tax levy. This is the sixth consecutive year the district will present a spending plan that does not include a change to the tax levy.

2023-2024 is the third and final year phasing in full implementation of Foundation Aid as well as $17 million in Coronavirius Response Relief and approximately $41 million in American Rescue plan relief funds.

Full funding of Foundation Aid is making a significant difference in how the budget is shaped and continues to serve efforts to boost boost social emotional and behavioral health, intervention and support services, and toward ensuring that our schools serve as positive cultural and safe spaces so that all students have what they need to be educationally successful.

The 2023-2024 Budget also supports the implementation of the secondary redesign including City as Our Campus and Big Picture Learning, the continued development of Community Schools, providing extending learning time, enhanced professional development for all faculty and staff, and expanded athletic opportunities.

The full budget book is available by clicking the picture on the right.

Thank you to our community for your support and partnership.

FOUNDATION AID SURVEY

Since we are poised to receive $45 million in Foundation Aid, we are required to provide an opportunity for our school community to provide feedback on our plan for spending Foundation Aid and Contract for Excellence Funding. We have outlined our summary and invite feedback through Let's Talk. the information and feedback form is available here.

BUDGET UPDATE: APRIL 05 2023

At the April 5 Board of Education Meeting, Chief Financial Officer Terry Gillooley spoke about:

• Fund Balance
  

• Required Foundation Aid Survey

  • NYSED requires school district receiving an increase in Foundation Aid of more than 10% or $10 million to create plan on how the funds will be used to address student performance and need. Plan must be submitted by July 1, 2023. As part of this, we are required to seek pubic comment from stakeholders to collect ideas. We will be posting information and collecting input through Let's Talk.
    

• Proposal to purchase Keane Elementary School

  • The district has been leasing Keane since July 2007. The district is now looking to purchase the school building and property for $2 million. This will be included on the May 16 ballot (along with the Budget vote, Capital Project Referendum, and School Board Election). With the purchase of Keane, there will still be zero tax impact.

• Moving forward, we expect the Board of Education will adopt a budget on April 19.

• A budget hearing will be held on May 3

• The 2023-2024 Budget Vote will be held on May 16.

Mr. Gillooley also reiterated that there has been zero tax increase/ no impact on the levy in six years.

BUDGET PRESENTATION: March 29 2023

Chief Financial Officer Terry Gillooley presented a preliminary 2023-2024 Budget to the Board of Education at a work session held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The draft budget of $259,439,074 is an increase of $20,272,007 or 8.48% over the current year with no tax increase.

Gillooley explained that this is the final year of full Foundation Aid Phase-in and that the district will be maximizing stabilization funds including Coronavirus Response Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ARP ESSER).

The 2023-2024 Budget supports the following:

DISTRICT OFFICE

• Superintendent of Schools: 7 FTE

• Innovation, Equity and Engagement: 15 FTE

• Business Office: 12.10 FTE

  • Transportation: 3 FTE

  • Food Service 1 FTE

  • Central Receiving/Printing: 3 FTE

• Human Resources: 7 FTE

• Communications: 3 FTE

• Teaching and Learning: 21 FTE

• Student Support Services/Special Education: 21 FTE

• Planing and Accountability: 15 FTE

• IT Technicians/Network: 5 FTE

SUPPORT STAFF

• Clerical: 48 FTE

  • Additional Information Processing Specialist (IPS) at each location

• Operations and Maintenance

  • Administration/Maintenance Mechanics: 43 FTE

  • Grounds Worker: 8 FTE (increase from 2 to 8)

  • Adding Electrician, Mason, Locksmith, Turf Manager

  • Custodian/Cleaners: Properly staff at each location 97 FTE

• School Climate and Safety - "Red Shirts"

  • Admin/District-wide 8 FTE

  • School Safety Monitor: 85 FTE

ADMINISTRATIVE/INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

• Administration: 57 FTE

  • Principal/Assistant Principal

• Family Engagement Specialist/Parent Liaison: 18.5 FTE

• Building Substitutes: 36 FTE

  • 2 Elementary Schools

  • 2 Middle Schools

  • 4 Schenectady High Schools

• Teacher Assistants: 20 FTE

  • Additional Early Childhood Support (Kindergarten/1st Grade

  • 1 per Secondary School

TEACHING AND LEARNING

• Instructional Coaches: 23.6 FTE

• Teachers - Pre-K through 5th Grade: 199 FTE

  • Paraprofessionals - Prek Mandated: 18 FTE

  • ES Class Size - all under 24 students (Prek - 18)

• Teachers - Grades 6-8: 78 FTE

• ELA: 28.8 FTE

• Math: 26.9 FTE

• Science: 27.8 FTE

• Social Studies: 26 FTE

  • SS Elective: 9 FTE

• ENL/ESL: 18.85

• AIS Math and ELA: 67 FTE

• Literacy: 56 FTE

• World Language: 26 FTE

• Librarian: 17.5 FTE

• Special Areas

  • Art: 28.60 FTE

  • Music: 36.87 FTE

  • Physical Education: 37.02 FTE

  • Health: 5.8 FTE

  • Performing Arts: 5 FTE

  • CTE Business: 21.7 FTE

  • Technology: 4 FTE

• Programs

  • JROTC: 2 FTE

  • AVID: 2.6 FTE

  • IB: 5.2 FTE

  • AP: .6 FT

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

• School Counselors: 43.3 FTE

• Social Workers: 54 FTE

  • Crisis Prevention Team: 3 FTE

• Psychologist: 25 FTE

• Nurses/Nurse Manager: 25 FTE

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: 1 FTE

• Restorative Practice Specialist: 11 FTE

• Student Engagement and School Attendance Specialist: 9 FTE

• Substance Abuse Counselor: 1 FTE

• Diversion Counselor: 2 FTE

• Behavioral Specialist: 3 FTE

• Mental Health Counselor: 1 FTE

SPECIAL EDUCATION

• Teachers: 137.4 FTE

• Speech Therapist/Occupational Therapist/COTA: 33.21 FTE

• Paraprofessional - Mandated Positions: 218 FTE

  • 46 - 1:1 Paraprofessionals

ADULT EDUCATION/OTHER

• Adult Education Instructors: 12.6 FTE

• WIEC Tutors: 19 Hourly

:OTHER

• Non-Mandated Paraprofessionals: 27 FTE

• School Lunch Monitors: 60 School Lunch Fund

Total FTE district-wide: 1,984

Vacancies

• Administration: 3

• Clerical, District-Wide: 21

• Nurse: 9

• O&M: 32

• Climate and Safety: 18.5

• Family Engagement: 2.5

• School Counselor: 1.4

• Psychologist: 1

• Behavior Specialist: 2

• Mental Health Counselor: 1

• Restorative Practice Specialist: 3

• Student Engagement Specialist: 4

• Building Subs: 23

• Teachers: 79

• Instructional Coach: 18

• Teacher Assistants: 7

• Paraprofessionals: 14

• Food Service Workers: 14

• District Offices: 9

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT INCLUDED IN BUDGET

• Secondary Redesign

• City as Our Campus

• Big Picture

• Community Schools Initiatives

• Professional Developmet

• Extended Learning Tiime

• Athletic

REVENUE

In addition to the 2023-2024 Budget, Schenectady voters will also be asked to consider the following on May 16:

• Schenectady Revitalization Plan 2030
  When you head to the polls on May 16, we are asking you to please also consider the Schenectady Revitalization Plan 2030. If approved, this plan would bring up to $300 million worth of building renovations and upgrades to our schools over the next seven years. This will require super majority (60%) approval. Tax Impact: Zero

• Location for Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE)
  The district continues to seek space in the community for a location for the district's Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE). The goal is to find a central location that sits on public transportation line the the district can rent or purchase within this budget cycle. If an opportunity arises, the details will be presented and this could possible be on the ballot on My 16 or presented at a later day.
  

• Purchase of Keane Elementary School Building (Currently Owned by St. Luke's)
  Voters are being asked to consider a proposal to purchase Keane Elementary School from St. Luke's. The district has been leasing the school building since July 2007 and is now seeking to purchase the school building for a one-time cost of $2 million. Purchase of this property would serve to provide much needed space for student enrollment and in the long-term allow for expansion. Tax Impact: Zero

• Add a student member position to the board of education
  The board is asking residents to vote on a proposition authorizing the addition of an ex-officio student member position on the board of education. A student board member will attend board meetings, sit at the board table and participate in public discussions, they will not vote or attend executive sessions.

• Elect three Members to the Board of Education
  Terms for board members Bernice Rivera, Nohelani Etienne, and Princella Learry will end on June 30, 2023. Ms. Learry has announced that she will not be running for another term.

On May 16, 2023, Schenectady residents will head to the polls to vote on the proposed 2023-24 school district budget, four propositions, and elect three Members to the Board of Education. Terms for board members Bernice Rivera, Nohelani Etienne, and Princella Learry will end on June 30, 2023. Ms. Learry has announced that she will not be running for another term.

Amanda Sponable-Pantalone

Schenectady has been my home for my whole life. Growing up playing in the parks where I would test how fast I could run in my cool new sneakers, this city holds many memories for not only myself, but my husband, Justin, and our three-year-old twins, Clara and Joseph. Having been enrolled in Girl Scouts from Daisy’s through Cadets has instilled the importance of what it means to work together for the betterment of our community’s future. As my children are approaching school age and have their entire
educational experience ahead of them, I have a direct, vested interest in the future our school district.

After graduating from Siena College in 2010, I worked as an EMT with Mohawk Ambulance on State Street and as a business systems analyst (BSA) with New York State and Local Retirement System. Working as an EMT in Schenectady, not only taught me life-saving skills, but further immersed me into our City. The training and experience I received as a BSA provided me with critical skills used to help build, implement and maintain new systems and processes. Transitioning careers, in 2021 to pursue Real Estate, allowed me to primarily raise Clara and Joe, while also helping people in our community. I always advocate for doing the right thing, being kind to one another and holding each other accountable.

Together we can work towards better, safer schools for a better, safer future!

Nohelani M. Etienne
Nohelani is completing her 1st three-year term and seeking her second. She is a life-long resident of Schenectady County and a graduate of Schenectady High School. Nohelani believes that our children’s future relies upon the support of not only their parents/caretakers, but that of the entire school community. She is a proud mom of four children – two of which are SHS alumni (’20 and ’21), and one student preparing to enter high school in the Fall. The school community has been a strong partner in her children’s educational journey and given them all a strong foundation to build upon.

Her passion for making education equitable for all of the districts’ children drives her aspiration to continue the important work as a Schenectady City School District Board of Education member. During her tenure as a board member, Nohelani has served on the Policy committee, while also being a part of the Teacher Center Policy Board and the School Counseling Advisory Counsel. She is dedicated to working in the best interest of children, while helping to push for a high-quality education for all students. She firmly believes in the district tagline that ‘everybody counts, everybody learns,’ and is committed to serving the students, their families, and the community for a second term.

Bernice E. Rivera
Bernice Rivera, a longtime educator, is seeking her third term on the school board. The
proud daughter of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Bernice taught seventh grade social studies at Mont Pleasant Middle School for 10 years; she also served as an Academic Intervention Services summer supervisor and interim assistant principal. She earned her master’s degree in teaching at Union College while working as an after-school detention professional in Schenectady City Schools. She also earned a School Building Leadership Certificate at the College of Saint Rose.

Bernice currently leads professional learning for New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Education & Learning Trust (ELT), working with numerous school districts and serving thousands of educators statewide. Her work focuses on classroom management, mental health, trauma, school violence and equity issues. She serves on several boards, and workgroups for NYSUT, the New York State Education Department and community groups like Working Group on Girls and the Miracle on Craig St.

Bernice is currently President of the School Board, collaborating with a strong team of board members to set district policies and priorities — and provide a clear roadmap for the success of ALL students. She embraces the importance of empowering youth, supporting our dedicated staff, and harnessing the many assets of our community.
She is a proud “Mami” of two married daughters, both graduates of Schenectady City
Schools.  Thank you, Schenectady teachers, staff, and community for playing a
part in their success!

Anne Kennedy
I am a lifelong city resident and have (4) children, all of which attended Schenectady Schools. I am grandmother of (7) grandchildren with (1) on the way!  For (43) years, I have been a Registered Nurse at Albany Medical Center within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). During my children’s education, I have tried to play an active role and volunteer when available to support their schools and teachers. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as a School Nurse and President of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) during my children’s elementary school years, as well as participate in Sport Booster Clubs, while also leading various fundraising events over the years!

I decided to run for the Schenectady City School District Board of Education because I believe “we” as citizens have an obligation to our children to do better in all areas of education since, they are our future. To ensure the future, the district must maintain sound fiscal policies that focus on advancing academic achievements while also supporting the growing need for improvements to the existing infrastructure of our schools. I support the proposed Revitalization 2030 Plan to aid in achieving those goals. I believe that school safety and parental involvement are also key elements to ensure the success of our children’s education.

Polls will be open Noon - 9 p.m.

Polling Locations (click for map):

Yates Elementary School, 725 Salina Street, 12308

Schenectady High School, 1445 the Plaza, 12308

Howe Elementary School, 1065 Baker Avenue, 12309

Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Avenue, 12304

Woodlawn Elementary School, 3311 Wells Avenue, 12304

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 918 Stanley St., 12307

Fulton School Building, 408 Eleanor Street, 12306

Mont Pleasant Middle School, 1121 Forest Road, 12303