Amanda DeAloe

The board meeting covered a wide range of administrative and operational topics. Key discussions included PTA updates on upcoming school events, fundraisers, and scholarship programs. The superintendent provided updates on sports seasons, professional development initiatives involving a national speaker, and the approval of phase one of a capital project. The business administrator discussed the upcoming BOCES budget vote. Personnel actions included the approval of several staff retirements, resignations, reassignments, and stipends. Additionally, the board approved a health and welfare services contract, adopted a legal notice for the annual budget vote, reviewed policy updates, and received reports from the policy and finance committees regarding budget planning and potential revenue generation.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Board President. The Stillwater Teachers Association provided an update on district staff morale boosters, non-profit donations, and classroom activities across elementary, middle, and high schools. Key action items included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which contained the minutes of the previous meeting. The Superintendent offered a general update, wishing success to teams entering Sectionals. The Business Administrator reported the issuance of an RFP for a Clerk of the Works and presented several warrants and January 2026 financials. Personnel actions involved the appointment of a new Boys Modified Baseball Coach, approval of a stipend for an Automotive Mechanic/Supervisor, and appointments for a Mentor and a full-time Bus Driver, and Cleaner. Action items also addressed participation in the WSWHE BOCES Cooperative Purchasing Program, a contract for Health and Welfare Services for students attending non-public schools, authorization for a Voting Machine Agreement with the Saratoga County Board of Elections for the Annual Budget Vote, and first reads for several policies, including those on Incidental Teaching and Leaves of Absences. The Policy Committee reported progress on the policy audit. During communications, a Board Member raised concerns regarding the perceived excessiveness of invoices from the Schools Attorney, leading to a discussion about establishing a Board Operating Policy regarding contact with legal counsel. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss STA contract negotiations and personnel matters.

The meeting included a presentation detailing staff support for students beyond the classroom, specifically highlighting the Sunshine Committee's contributions to charities like the Stoart Food Pantry and providing support to families facing trauma. Teachers raised $1,700 through a 'Jeans for January' fundraiser, donating half to Play It Forward 518 and half to Kelly's Angels. Other instructional highlights included a 'Masked Reader' activity to promote reading, fourth graders engineering egg drop containers, sixth graders visiting the Albany Institute of History and Art to study ancient Egypt, and a presentation on community impact from a local artist. The board reviewed athletic achievements, including wrestler and swimmer participation in state competitions. Administrative items involved issuing an RFP for clerk of the works services and seeking approval for a cooperative bidding contract for cafeteria products with Boseis. Personnel actions included approving appointments for a modified baseball coach, an automotive mechanic supervisor stipend, a mentor, a full-time cleaner, and a full-time bus driver. Action items also covered approving participation in the Boseis cooperative purchasing program, a contract for health and welfare services for nonpublic school students in Saratoga Springs City Schools, and authorizing an agreement with the Saratoga County Board of Elections for voting machines. Finally, the board conducted a first read for several policy adoptions/revisions, including incidental teaching policy, leaves of absences, graduation options, and student voter registration.

The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance and noted that board member Daryl Hazen was attending via video conferencing from Farmington, Connecticut. The PTA provided updates, including the success of a recent 'Globing' event with over 300 attendees, a 'Rubber Ducky Day' event, and upcoming fundraisers like the Adirondack Thunder fundraiser and a Chuck-a-Puck fundraiser. The theme for the year is 'Adventure and Reading' or 'Choose Your Adventure.' Plans are underway for a Parent's Night Out (paint and sip) and a Middle School Family Night (volleyball/basketball). A tentative craft fair is planned for mid-April. The board welcomed the new School Resource Officer, Joshua Stila, who introduced himself and shared his 10 years of law enforcement experience. Public input was taken regarding girls' lacrosse, with a community member encouraging the board to consider options for forming a team, perhaps through a modified level or merger with Mechanicville. During the business section, the Business Administrator discussed the Governor's Aid Run, noting a projected 1% increase in foundation aid, equating to an overall $65,000 increase, largely offset by UPK grants, creating a challenging revenue situation. A spending and hiring freeze has been implemented. Discussions also covered NISBA advocacy days. The Finance Committee reported on a Washington County tax levy increase and projected a $1.1 million deficit for the initial fund balance report for the end of 2025, which would place them under the 4% unforeseen fund balance threshold. The committee is also addressing the electric bus mandate, engaging Burns and McDonald to perform an electrification study, estimated to cost between $8,000 and $10,000 for the district's portion, to seek two-year waivers. Furthermore, the committee is exploring generating revenue by accepting special education students from other districts. The board then acted on personnel matters, appointing a permanent lunch recess monitor and approving the resignation of a night cleaner, and appointing a long-term substitute for the personnel department. Under board items of interest, discussions continued regarding the formation of a girls' lacrosse team, examining interest levels and potential operational structures.

The meeting included updates from the PTA, which detailed several successful fundraising activities, including an Otis fundraiser that raised approximately $14,000, successful holiday shop operations, and the donation of surplus funds to the backpack program. The PTA also purchased new equipment, such as a printer and a collapsible wagon. Key athletic discussions involved a comprehensive review of the Fall and Winter sports programs, highlighting achievements such as all fall sports qualifying for sectional play and the Girls Soccer team winning a third state championship in nine years. Academic achievements were noted, with several teams and 52 individuals qualifying as scholar athletes with GPA averages of 90% or above. The athletic director also presented enrollment data showing a recent dip in participation numbers, with projections indicating a potential future uptick. Discussions also covered uniform replacement schedules and facility impact due to upcoming field construction, requiring schedule adjustments for the fall season. Finally, the Head Football Coach presented on the current reality and long-term sustainability and safety of the football program, noting statewide participation trends.