Good afternoon,

I am excited to share that this week I had the first meeting of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Forming this council has been important to me because we can't do this work the way it needs to be done without student voice. The SSAC will provide that voice. This group will help keep us connected and provide input regarding a number of topics impacting students. I'm impressed with this group already as they arrived for the first meeting excited and enthusiastic about having the opportunity to participate. We will meet monthly to talk and work as a team to affect change in our schools. In the coming months we will be looking to add additional members. I look forward to hearing their ideas. Thank you Deputy Superintendent Lynne Rutnik fo coordinating this.

Meet the Schenectady City School District's first Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.

Click below or watch this video on our YouTube channel to hear from the students about their first meeting.  https://youtu.be/1bysgFqisTk

Like most everyone, I am deeply saddened and horrified by the events that took place and loss of life earlier this week at The Covenant School in Nashville. In the wake of this senseless attack, we learned that three children and three employees were killed and five others were wounded. Our hearts are heavy for the children and families in Nashville. I know that when events like this happen, we raise questions regarding our own district security and everyone should ask questions.

In our district, we take all matters involving safety and security seriously. We have a safety and security team dedicated to student safety and a cooperative relationship with local law enforcement.

As of late, there has been a spike in swatting calls going out across the country. A swatting call is when someone calls 911 and makes a false report that they are in a school and there is an active shooter, while playing gun sounds in the background. Swatting incidents are threats made to schools with the purpose of triggering a police response and creating fear and panic. Following investigation, these calls have been determined to be a hoax and are not credible threats. While the Schenectady City School District has not received a direct threat, it's doesn't mean we won't, leaving everyone understandably concerned. We take all reports seriously and work closely with the Schenectady Police Department who are aware and monitoring these calls. We always encourage everyone in our school community to report anything that you see or hear that is suspect or unusual. We will continue to keep you updated.

I know many of you are waiting for the 2023-2024 Calendar so you can plan your appointments and vacations. The draft will be going to the Board of Education on April 5. Once the board approves the calendar, we will send it out immediately.

At this past Wednesday's Board of Education work session, Chief Financial Officer Terry Gillooley presented a preliminary 2023-2024 Budget. 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. This would be the sixth year in a row with no tax increase. Details of the draft and Mr. Gillooley's presentation are posted on the budget section of our website. This is the starting point. We will be putting out a survey next week to collect school community input. The budget discussion will continue at the April 5 board of education meeting. That meeting will be held on the Mont Pleasant Middle School Schenectady Room.

Coming up this week is our first information session regarding the Capital Project Referendum which will be on the ballot with the budget vote and school board election on May 16. The April 4 session has changed location and will be held at SUNY Center City Campus, 433 State Street, 2nd Floor Rear, Room 217.

Also at last Wednesday's Board of Education work session, Shannon Tahoe, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Professional Learning, provided an extensive overview of the Human Resources Office, their mission and functions. Her presentation included everything from what they do on a day-to-day basis, to a breakdown of district staffing, diversity, recruitment efforts, teacher data and years of service across the district. You can download the report here.

We have a lot of fun things going on in our schools. Tiffany D. Jackson, a NY Times Best-Selling author, is visiting Schenectady High School on April 6. Later that evening, the author will also have a discussion open to all at the Schenectady Public Library. Students in Schenectady High School's Book Club recently finished reading "Grown" by Tiffany D. Jackson, and they were excited to discuss the book and chance to meet the author. Check it out:  in this video on our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/SqvQx1GtUa0

The yearly tradition of March Book Madness at Yates wrapped up this week. The winner of the tournament, and favorite book of the most students at Yates, was "Gibberish" by Young Vo. The winner of the tournament was awarded by members of the SHS Boys Varsity basketball team. 

As Women's History Month comes to a close, we honor the influential women in all of our lives by celebrating HerStory. Watch the video on our YouTube channel with students from Mont Pleasant Middle School

Paige students celebrate and learn all about Ramadan.

Schenectady High School Video Club, Episode 1

Watch the first episode from the Schenectady High School Video Club on our YouTube channel.

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

PREVIOUS BRIEFS: For the index of Volume 1 and Volume 2 Briefs, click here.