Melissa Butler

The Saranac Lake Central School District's Comprehensive School Counseling Plan is a K-12 program designed to ensure every student is supported academically, socially/emotionally, and in postsecondary planning. It focuses on the holistic development of students, fostering academic excellence, career readiness, and social/emotional well-being. The plan operates through a multi-tiered framework, incorporating academic development, career development, social/emotional development, parent & family engagement, and school climate & student success as its core pillars. Through proactive interventions, data monitoring, and strong partnerships, the plan aims to prepare students to thrive as learners and citizens.

The meeting included discussions and resolutions regarding the acceptance of the agenda, approval of the consent agenda, budgetary transfers, and the levy of school taxes to counties. Updates were provided on capital projects, including the installation of backflow preventors. The committee discussed district facilities planning, electric busing, and shared space staffing agreements. The superintendent reported on transportation reserves and facilities meetings.

The discussion covered Title One funds, including the program's history and impact, with over 15 billion in funds annually towards improving education programs in Title One schools. It also covered acceptable uses of Title One funds, such as employee salaries and benefits, recruitment and retention of teachers, professional development for staff, parental involvement, non-public school services, and supplies and educational materials. Title Two and Title Four were also discussed, including professional development and student support. AIS services and parental involvement were also addressed.

The meeting addressed the elimination of the Petroa Elementary Library program, with a parent voicing concerns over the reduction to a book exchange only. The board discussed the budgetary transfer report and approved the updated facility use form. Updates were provided on capital projects, including the pickle ball courts. The discussion covered the elementary library sciences, the role of the library media specialist, and the district's financial constraints impacting staffing decisions.

The public hearing was held to discuss the district-wide safety plan. Topics discussed included the review and update of the safety plan as required by New York State SAVE legislation, the plan's components for preventing, responding to, and recovering from emergencies, and the annual multi-hazard training for staff and students. The possibility of having a safety officer present in schools was discussed, as well as the local police's presence in schools.