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Citizen Portal News New York
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The South Orangetown Central School District is making strides with a new athletic-field subcommittee and ambitious capital projects aimed at enhancing school facilities for the future.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #AthleticFacilities #GreenSpace #CapitalProjects
Facilities committee reports CPL electrification plan, capital-project phasing and athletic-field subcommittee
The district facilities committee reported on a submitted Clark Patterson Lee Fleet Electrification Plan to NYSCRDA, capital-project phasing for 2026–27, bid schedules for Somes renovations and a newly formed athletic-field subcommittee to examine additional playing-field space. The report noted potential conflicts for bus-lot sites and pending
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November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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The South Orangetown Central School District is launching a new transportation committee to tackle $7 million in annual costs and explore exciting initiatives like electric buses and a student-built routing app!

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#NY #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #ElectricBuses
South Orangetown forms transportation committee; district spends $7 million annually and eyes electric buses, routing pilot
The district announced a newly formed transportation committee to review past studies, current ridership, compliance with the New York State electric-bus mandate and potential bus purchases. Superintendent said the district spends $7,000,000 a year on transportation and plans to pilot a student-created Way to Go bus-routing app to reduce stops and,
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November 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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Big moves are happening in Carmel as the district secures crucial grants for an inclusive playground and a high-school scoreboard while also gearing up for a $2 million safety mapping initiative!

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#NY #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #NewYorkEducation #InclusionPlaygrounds
Carmel board hears playground and scoreboard grant status; Putnam County outlines $2M school-safety mapping plan
The board received updates that a $100,000 inclusion-playground grant is proceeding pending a missing document to DASNY and that a $51,000 gym scoreboard grant faces vendor EIN issues. Putnam County has proposed using $2 million in county allocations for tactical campus mapping and first-responder integration through Critical Response Group.
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November 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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The Carmel Central School District is making big changes to ensure every student can experience the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip, regardless of financial barriers!

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#NY #EquityInEducation #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #EducationAccess #FieldTripReform
Carmel Central School District board endorses field-trip overhaul, vows access for students on Washington, D.C. trip
After a district review, the board approved multiple field trips including the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip and supported immediate changes to how the district charges for buses. Trustees asked administration to ensure any student who cannot afford the trip can attend and to return with exact cost breakdowns.
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November 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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The Hendrick Hudson Board meeting unveiled preliminary assessment data and sparked a push for deeper analyses, leaving many questions unanswered ahead of the crucial January review.

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#NY #AccountabilityIndicators #CitizenPortal #CohortAnalysis #NewYorkEducation #MTSSSupports
District presents preliminary 2024–25 assessment data; board presses for cohort and item analyses
Assistant Superintendent Lauren Stallings and assessment lead Ms. Scollins presented district assessment results, noting New York State had not yet certified official school report cards. Staff highlighted cohort tracking, the algebra 1 course restructure (algebra 1a/1b), MTSS work, and plans for a midyear review in January. Board members pressed, 
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November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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Easton Architects unveiled a pivotal survey of Albany's Pine Hills, spotlighting eight unique areas poised for deeper exploration and potential historic recognition.

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#AlbanyCityAlbanyCounty #NY #HistoricPreservation #CitizenPortal #ArchitecturalSignificance #CommunityPlanning
Easton Architects presents Pine Hills reconnaissance survey; HRC told eight areas merit next-step intensive study
Easton Architects presented a reconnaissance-level historic-resources survey of Albany’s Pine Hills neighborhood and recommended eight focused areas for future intensive-level survey. City staff and the State Historic Preservation Office were involved; commissioners asked questions about boundaries, prioritization and funding. The report positions
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November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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Schenectady County just secured over $2.4 million in grants to revolutionize emergency response and support public defenders!

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#SchenectadyCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EmergencyServices #CivicAccountability
County accepts $1.64 million federal NextGen 9‑1‑1 grant and $797,698 in defense‑aid grants
The Public Safety Committee approved acceptance of a $1,639,396 Next Generation 9‑1‑1 grant to upgrade county 9‑1‑1 servers and equipment and accepted two Aid to the Defense grants totaling $797,698 to be shared among indigent-defense providers.
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November 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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Schenectady County is stepping up to combat food insecurity by launching a $150,000 initiative to support families affected by the federal government shutdown and SNAP payment interruptions.

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#SchenectadyCounty #NY #FoodInsecurity #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport
Schenectady Legislature creates food‑security initiative, appropriates $150,000 after SNAP lapse
Facing a lapse in federal SNAP payments, the Schenectady County Legislature on Nov. 5 approved a resolution establishing a Food Insecurity Initiative and appropriating $150,000 from county fund balance to support emergency food assistance. The initiative includes immediate measures — increased DSS support, a countywide food drive and a drive‑up pan
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November 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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Jefferson County committees just passed a wave of resolutions that will reshape local health services, budgets, and community programs!

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#JeffersonCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #BudgetAmendments #PublicHealth #CommunityServices
Committee votes: appointments, health contracts, budget amendments, design services and multiple county resolutions carried
Jefferson County committees passed a large block of routine appointments, health service agreements, public‑health contracts, capital and budget amendments and several local laws and appointments. The Health & Human Services committee authorized professional design services with BCA Architects for Human Services Building renovations; the Finance & 
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November 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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Veteran Services director Dave Pavey announces a remarkable $1.5 million economic boost this year while advocating for enhanced staffing to better support local veterans.

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#JeffersonCounty #NY #VeteranSupport #CitizenPortal #CommunityOutreach #EconomicDevelopment
Veteran Services director reports $1.5M economic boost this year, requests staffing upgrade
Dave Pavey, director of Veteran Services for Jefferson and Lewis counties, described how his office helps veterans secure VA compensation and pensions, reported that the office brought $1.5 million into the local economy year‑to‑date, and requested reclassification of a typist position to a veteran service counselor to improve intake and privacy.
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November 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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Concerns over traffic, safety, and environmental impact have prompted the Middletown Planning Board to keep the public hearing open on a proposed gas station, leaving the future of the project hanging in the balance.

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#MiddletownOrangeCounty #NY #CitizenPortal
Proposed County Route 78 Gas Station: Board Keeps Hearing Open After Late Engineering and Environmental Concerns
A law firm representing neighboring Gasland Petroleum submitted late comments alleging insufficient traffic, tanker-circulation and stormwater details and urged a DEC jurisdictional determination for a proposed gas station at 16–18 County Route 78. The applicant’s counsel rebutted and alleged a conflict of interest regarding prior representation. C
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November 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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The Pelham Union Free School District Board just made significant strides in enhancing student safety and educational resources, approving a new safety plan and accepting generous donations for after-school programs!

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#NY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport
Votes at a glance: Pelham board approves safety plan, construction manager contract and accepts multiple donations
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Pelham board approved the updated districtwide safety plan, authorized a construction management services agreement for bond work, accepted several monetary donations for after‑school programs and school sound systems, adopted updated policies (waiving third readings), and approved routine personnel and fiscal items.
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November 8, 2025 at 5:14 AM
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Exciting updates from the board meeting reveal new grants, innovative Saturday academies, and fresh approaches to tackle vaping in schools!

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#NY #HealthEducation #CitizenPortal #NewYorkEducation #CivicAccountability #YouthEnrichment
Board hears contract, program and grant highlights including Saturday academies and JUUL settlement funds
Administrators reviewed short‑term contracts, Saturday academy programming, several grant awards and the first distribution of JUUL settlement funds ($12,222.53 per year for eight years via BOCES). The board also learned of a proposed $15,000 freezer grant application for DiFrancesco Head Start, and an audit‑committee appointment.
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November 8, 2025 at 4:21 AM
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LaSalle Preparatory School is facing a critical situation as their backup generator fails repeatedly, prompting a call for a $300,000 emergency replacement while recent air quality tests reveal reassuring results.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #NewYorkSchools
LaSalle Preparatory: district seeks emergency generator replacement after repeated failures; air‑quality testing finds no indoor exceedances
Superintendent Mark Laurrie asked the board to approve an emergency capital resolution to replace a failing LaSalle Prep backup generator (estimated ~$300,000) and summarized multi‑agency air‑quality testing after a recent indoor air concern that found indoor VOC and carbon monoxide readings lower than outdoors; board received technical reports and
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November 8, 2025 at 3:58 AM
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Elementary school boundaries are under scrutiny as parents demand low-disruption options and clearer communication amid declining enrollments and uneven capacity.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #NewYorkElementarySchools #CommunityCommunication #ClassSizeTargets #EducationEquity
Board hears detailed rezoning analysis; parents press for low‑disruption options and clearer communication
Administrators presented BEDS‑day enrollment, classroom capacity, and consultant projections showing imbalance across five elementary schools. The rezoning committee recommended a middle class‑size target of 18–22 students; parents urged the board to model at least one low‑disruption option (grandfathering, phased implementation) and to include bus
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November 8, 2025 at 3:50 AM
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Penfield Central School District is inviting you to a crucial public info session about the upcoming capital project—don’t miss your chance to see the designs and have your voice heard!

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#NY #BudgetTransparency #PublicInformation #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #CommunityVoting
Board schedules Dec. 16 capital‑project vote, approves 2026–27 budget calendar and upcoming information session
The board announced a public information session on the proposed capital project next Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the PHS Commons and set the community vote for Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The board also approved the 2026–27 budget development calendar and outlined major budget milestones through the May 2026 statewide vote.
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November 8, 2025 at 3:42 AM
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Superintendent Mike Pero bids farewell after years of dedicated service, unveiling an ambitious capital project aimed at enhancing school facilities without raising taxes.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #NewYorkSchools #InfrastructureImprovement #EducationReform
Pittsford superintendent announces retirement; district outlines March capital-project vote to fund roofs, HVAC and phased school cooling
Superintendent Mike Pero used his final board meeting to announce his retirement and to update the board on a proposed capital project set for a March 5 vote. The package will prioritize new roofs, replacement of steam boilers, HVAC and air-quality improvements, and begin a nine-year plan to provide cooling systems across all nine district schools;
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November 8, 2025 at 2:32 AM
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Bethlehem Central's external auditors praised the district's financial statements with a clean opinion, but flagged a concerning fund balance exceeding 4%—what does this mean for future budgets?

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#NY #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #NewYorkEducation #FinancialTransparency
External auditors give Bethlehem Central a clean opinion but flag fund‑balance threshold
External auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Bethlehem Central’s 2024–25 financial statements but reported one finding: the district’s undesignated/unassigned fund balance exceeded the 4% threshold used for auditing purposes. Administrators recommended targeted transfers to reserves and discussed implications for the 2025–26 budget and the 202
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November 8, 2025 at 1:26 AM
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New Rochelle is taking a bold step towards a greener future with a new Community Forest Management Plan that prioritizes tree planting in underserved neighborhoods!

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#NY #CitizenPortal #ClimateResilience #UrbanForestry #EnvironmentalSustainability #NewRochelleParks
New Rochelle launches community forest plan, pledges half of new trees for equity zones
City officials and community partners marked the public launch of New Rochelle’s Community Forest Management Plan with a tree-planting event at Flower City Park. Officials said the plan is data-driven, prioritizes equity zones for at least 50% of new plantings and calls for hundreds of trees planted annually over the next decade.
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November 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
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The Katonah-Lewisboro School District is poised for a transformative renovation of Lewisboro Elementary, paving the way for much-needed Universal Pre-K classrooms and a new youth soccer field!

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#NY #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureImprovement #CommunityDevelopment #EducationReform
Board signals support for Concept 3 to remodel Lewisboro Elementary for UPK; H2M to begin pre‑bond work
The Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education received a detailed presentation from H2M Architects & Engineers on Concept 3 for Lewisboro Elementary School (LES), a plan that would demolish older wings while retaining approximately two‑thirds of the building, including the 2004 gym, and create a new wing to serve Universal Pre‑K (UPK). The board gave an
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November 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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Parents and students are calling for the Pittsford School Board to pause the controversial ShinShinim cultural exchange program due to concerns over biased messaging and the emotional impact on marginalized students.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #DiversityInclusion #NewYorkSchools
Parents, students ask Pittsford board to pause ShinShinim exchange over one-sided narratives and lack of oversight
Multiple students, parents and community members told the Pittsford Central School District Board of Education during public comment that the ShinShinim Israeli cultural exchange program has presented political or military messaging, lacked sufficient district oversight and caused emotional harm to Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students. Speakers, a
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November 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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Rye High School is launching its first International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, offering students a unique pathway to deepen their learning through innovative courses and real-world applications.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #CurriculumInnovation #NewYorkEducation
Rye High outlines new International Baccalaureate diploma program, lists initial courses and growth plans
Rye High School presented the new International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme on Nov. 4, describing course offerings, assessment structure, teacher training plans and early student experiences. District leaders said they will focus on growing the two-year diploma at the high school and have no current plans to expand IB into the primary or a
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November 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
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The Three Village Central School District is gearing up for a $123.1 million bond referendum on January 20, but the inclusion of a new turf football field has sparked heated debate among residents.

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#NY #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #CommunityInput
Three Village board calls $123.1 million bond referendum for Jan. 20; turf field placed in second proposition
The Three Village Central School District board voted Nov. 5 to place a two-part bond referendum totaling $123,112,828 on the Jan. 20 ballot. District staff said Proposition 1 totals $96,150,691 and Proposition 2 totals $26,962,137; the district estimates the maximum combined net tax levy increase per household would phase in to about $275 annually
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November 7, 2025 at 11:31 PM
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The Rockville Centre School District is taking crucial steps to enhance student safety by updating its safety plan to comply with "Desha's Law," ensuring all schools have accessible AEDs and trained personnel.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #HealthAccessibility #NewYorkSchools
Board hears public-hearing update on district safety plan after new AED-accessibility law
The district opened a public hearing on its updated district-wide safety plan after a July state law — referenced as "Desha's Law" — required accessible AEDs and trained personnel. The district security director reported inventory and training status and invited public comment; no public speakers addressed the plan during the hearing.
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November 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
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Southside Middle School is making waves with soaring state assessment participation and impressive math proficiency rates, showcasing a commitment to student success through innovative instructional strategies.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #NewYorkSchools #AssessmentStrategies
Southside Middle School reports rising participation, higher regents mastery and targeted instructional plan
Southside Middle School presented data showing increased participation in New York State assessments, strong math proficiency and substantial gains on the earth science regents. School leaders outlined targeted interventions — literacy initiatives, curriculum revisions, co-teaching and expanded practice with constructed responses — to sustain and伸‎
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November 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM