Erin Bennett

This Information Technology Plan outlines the district's strategic direction from 2022 to 2025, aiming to empower all learners through technology. It focuses on effectively integrating technology into all curricula, emphasizing safe and responsible digital citizenship, increasing equitable access to technology tools for differentiated instruction, and providing a robust and secure IT infrastructure. The plan envisions creating bridges between individuals and the world, supporting greater student achievement, cultivating future-ready skills, and fostering global community relationships.

The meeting included a public comment period where students spoke in support of officially approving the Club America club, detailing its goals focused on American values, critical thinking, and civic engagement, and contrasting it with the Teen Republicans club. Another speaker advocated for teaching Western civilization, referencing the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights. A student representative from the Student Council raised significant concerns regarding the high processing fees associated with the My School Books platform for online transactions and the system's inability to accept card payments for in-person events, proposing a separate bank account and expansion of the student ID payment system. District committee reports covered radio functionality and safety protocols, artificial intelligence (AI) usage in schools, and the formation of DEI committee teams focusing on welcoming atmospheres, student voices, community engagement, and resources. Student reports detailed numerous activities across elementary, middle, and high schools, including chorus concerts, field trips, food/toiletries drives, PBIS assemblies, athletic achievements (football, swim team), National Honor Society inductions, and club fundraising efforts. The administrative report began by thanking the host school staff.

The regular meeting of the Board of Education involved several key discussions and actions. The Finance Committee report detailed discussions regarding the hiring of C&S Engineers, through BOCES, to conduct a Fleet Electrification Plan for electric buses, noting that 75% of the cost would be covered. The committee also reviewed the 2024-2025 school year audit and planned the scope for the 2025-2026 internal audit. The DERT Committee focused on Stop the Bleed training and a CPR refresher. Student Representatives provided updates on various school activities across elementary, middle, and high schools, including enrichment programs and upcoming events. The Superintendent reported on the Sources of Strength program at the middle school, legislative advocacy priorities, and shared a working draft of the district's Strategic Planning Process for initial feedback. The Consent Agenda included several actions such as adopting a Legislative Advocacy Resolution, Plan Reapproval for the District-Wide Safety Plan, various field trip and pupil placement approvals, numerous personnel actions including teacher retirements and appointments, and financial reports, Fund Balance & Reserves Plan, and consultant agreements.

The Saratoga Springs School District's vision is to empower all learners in an engaging, collaborative environment to discover their personal pathways to the future. This vision is guided by four core beliefs and priorities for 2024-2025: Equity of Opportunity, Collaboration, Community, and Personalization. The plan aims to implement high-quality, culturally responsive instructional practices, improve student performance in literacy and math, increase graduation rates, enhance professional learning communities, foster active partnerships with families and the community, and provide individualized support for student and staff well-being.

The meeting included reports from board committees, district committees such as the DEI and DERT committees, and student representatives. The Superintendent provided comments and a strategic planning update. There was a presentation on the Interscholastic Athletics Department. The board discussed modifications to the consent agenda, Board of Education goals, tuition waivers, and committee on special education pupil placements. They also covered personnel matters, financial items, and agenda planning, including a discussion on AI in education. The meeting also involved executive sessions to discuss employment matters and pending litigation.