Good afternoon,

I hope your first week back after the holiday recess has been a good one. I know it's a busy time but keep in mind we are officially in the home stretch with only nine weeks of school remaining.

I'm happy to share that at Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, the Board adopted a $295,514,615 budget proposal for 2025-2026. The proposed budget reflects a $17,782,846 or 6.4% increase over the current year and does not include any increase in the tax levy, making it the 7th consecutive year with no tax levy impact. The proposal also includes all existing programs, services, and staffing.

A budget hearing will take place on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Schenectady residents will vote on the budget and elect two members to the Board of Education on May 20, 2025.

2025-2026 Budget

• 2024-2025 Budget: $277,731,769

• 2025-2026 Proposed Budget: $295,514,615

• Difference: 17,782,846 or 6.4%

• Zero Percent Tax Increase

Chief Financial Officer Terry Gillooley emphasized that there are no cuts to programming and staffing but there are some increases, and a focus on academic return on investment. The budget was crafted based on Foundation Aid (New York State Aid) projections since the the NYS final Budget has not yet been approved. Budget development was a collaborative process. I'm proud to present this Budget to our community on May 20.

Click here for the Budget Presentation.

Click here for the video of the presentation

There are two Board of Education seats up for election on May 20, 2025. The seats are currently held by Cathy Lewis and Vivian Parsons. In order to get on the ballot, a person must:

• Reside in the school district for at least one year immediately preceding the election.

• Be a qualified voter of the district.

• Not be an employee of the Schenectady City School District.

• Present at least 100 legible signatures.

• A candidate affidavit must be completed.

Nomination Petition and Affidavit

If you are interested in running for a seat in 2025, petitions are due April 30, 2025 by 5 p.m.

If you have questions, please contact the clerk of the board, Michelle Eden, 518-370-8100 Ext. 36907.

Budget Vote and School Board Election Polling Information

Polls are open 12 - 9 p.m.

Locations:

• Yates Elementary School, 725 Salina St.

• Howe Elementary School, 1065 Baker Avenue

• Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Ave.

• Woodlawn Elementary School, 3311 Wells Ave.

• M.L. King Elementary School, 918 Stanley St.

• Mont Pleasant Middle School, 1121 Forest Rd.

• Schenectady High School, 1445 The Plaza

• Fulton School, 408 Eleanor St.

Polling Location Lookup Tool

If you are not sure where to vote on the school budget and board candidates? Click here to use our brand new Lookup tool. Follow the directions below to find where to cast your vote on May 20, 2025.

May 23

On Wednesday, the Board of Education approved a resolution that gives all district employees a paid contingency day on May 23, which is the Friday prior to Memorial Day. We are able to do this because we did not use all of our emergency closing/snow days. We will be working with the bargaining units to make this adjustment. Please keep in mind this applies to this school year only.

New Signage

During the Spring Recess the Family and Community Engagement Center was decorated with new signage. Thank you to our operations and maintenance team and all who were involved in making this happen. It looks stunning and it is now very clear that we are in this building.

Update on Keane Receivership

I'm excited to share with you that on April 11 we received great news from the New York State Education Department confirming that our school in Receivership, Keane Elementary School, made Demonstrable Improvement. This doesn't remove Keane from the designation but it is an indicator that we are moving in the right direction.

This is a significant accomplishment which reflects the unwavering commitment, collaboration, and hard work of our school community, teachers, staff, administrators, students, families, and community partners.

Your dedication to student success and your implementation of our school improvement plans have made this achievement possible.

While this milestone allows us to continue implementing our approved plans for the 2024–25 school year, it also serves as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together with purpose and determination.

Thank you for your continued passion, resilience, and belief in our mission.

Community Award

Today I was extremely honored and surprised when the City of Schenectady Department of Development HOMES Initiative recognized me with the 2025 "Community Impact Award" at the Fair Housing Luncheon held at Double Tree by Hilton. While I had planned to attend the event, I had no idea that I was being recognized. I am extremely honored. Community engagement and empowering others is extremely important to me as most of you know. Therefore, this award does means a lot to me. Thank you to the members of Innovation, Equity, and Engagement and Mr. DiCaprio, Board President Rivera, Board Member Carver, and my wife and son (who kept this information from me) for attending.

Principal Kafele

Today I had the opportunity to catch up with Principal Kafele at Hamilton Elementary School.

Thank You

This week we recognize and appreciate our amazing Administrative Professionals, School Bus Drivers and After School Professionals! These amazing staff go above and beyond to ensure our school community receives the support it needs. Thank you, your impact is felt every single day in our schools.

Did You Know?

Big changes are coming to secondary report cards. They are being redesigned for the 2025–2026 school year as part of our ongoing efforts to keep up with the evolving landscape of education. As our grading system continues to grow and adapt, we want your input. Check out the graphic for more details on the progress so far, and click here to share your feedback.

Project Be Here

This week, hear directly from SHS seniors as they share why showing up to school every day really matters. Want to learn more about the importance of attendance and access helpful resources? Click here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/ar...

PBIS Celebration with The Physics Bus

The Ithaca Physics Bus visited Mont Pleasant on Thursday. The traveling field trip was a PBIS celebration for students who have worked hard to improve their daily attendance!

The bus is a mobile exhibition of upcycled appliances reimagined by kids that showcase unfamiliar physics phenomena. The mission of the physics bus is to awaken interest and creativity in physics for all ages and walks of life — especially those underserved by science enrichment. It allows for our students to have self-directed, empowering, positive experiences with science and physics. #projectbehere

IB Art Exhibit

I had an opportunity to attend the opening reception of the IB Art Exhibit at Schenectady High School. I can't begin to tell you how amazing this show is. If you get a chance, please stop by. It's open through May 16.

Congratulations

🎬 Congratulations to our PM Mediaworks students at Proctors. Their powerful submission focused on mental health placed 6th out of over 600 entries in The Edit media competition—we are very proud of their hard work and creativity. Check out their video below.

Youthbuild Graduation

Youthbuild graduation was held at Proctors Theatre on Friday, April 11. I'd like to recognize Renee Toland for completing the program, which is designed to help those without a high school degree obtain their GED all while learning useful skills that will benefit them their whole lives. The mission of the program is to help transform the lives of young people through training, community service, and sustainable wage jobs.

Earth Day with Farm to School

April is National School Garden Month and Wednesday was Earth Day. Students around Schenectady celebrated with agriculture lessons, gardening, and spring clean up projects. Check out this article and photos in the Daily Gazette.

Visit to Cornell

Thanks to GearUp, 9th graders from Big Picture and Schenectady High School enjoyed a visit to Cornell University.

Strategic Plan 2030

Pillar Awards: Partnerships with Community and Families

Wednesday evening we celebrated the nominees for the Partnerships with Families and Community Pillar Award. This award is for employees who highly value our families and the community. Their communication is inclusive, accessible, goes two ways, and is always based on high expectations within a supportive environment.

As part of our Strategic Plan pillars we continue to recognize our Passionate People (pillar2) and alumni who represent Student and Graduate Success (Pillar 1).

Summer Enrichment Program

The 2025 Summer Enrichment Program will run July 7 - August 1.
The program is from 8:30-2:30. Information for transportation will come out after you are registered. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your school parent liaison. You must register with Right At School in order to reserve your seat in the program. 

Upcoming Author Visit

Join us on April 29th at 6 p.m. in the McChesney Room of the Schenectady Library for a visit from author Tony Hillery. He will share passages from his book "Saturdays at Harlem Grown," and chat about urban farming and growing community. Books will be available to purchase.

I wish you an enjoyable weekend.

See you next week,

Carlos M. Cotto, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

MOBILE APP SUPPORT Click here to watch a short video on how to set your school and language preferences on our mobile app: hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNC9ek2Lqg