equitable funding

Taskforce Being Established to look at Enrollment Trends and Impact on Distribution of Resources

C-A Central

January 24, 2022

We are inviting constituents of our school community to consider being a member of a task force that will develop options for the board of education to consider that addresses the following factors:

  1. Widening gap in expenditures per general education pupils between the two elementary schools.

  2. A five year 28% (145 students) decline in K-4 enrollment.

  3. Overall decade enrollment decline.

  4. Fluctuations in enrollment have caused unequal class sizes between grades and buildings.

  5. Special education services having been moved to the Coxsackie campus.  

  6. No extended day opportunities in grades K-4.

  7. Needs of incoming K students have grown and are a concern of teachers.

  8. District faculty desire for daily face-to-face collaboration with grade level colleagues.

The task force goals are to suggest options for:

  1. Maximizing consistency and equality among the elementary grades in:

    1. student well being

    2. access to resources

    3. class sizes

  2. Supporting innovation in:

    1. instruction and learning

  3. Building a stronger learning environment by:

    1. better utilizing building space on both campuses 

    2. enhancing student relationships across the district at earlier ages 

    3. providing time for additional enrichment and interventions for elementary grades.

    4. providing 4 year old pre-kindergarten to all eligible students

This taskforce will work with the following understandings:

  1. All options will be considered.

  2. Doing nothing is not a sustainable option.

  3. What is best for the overall education program for all students will guide the work.

  4. The 2030 Destination possibilities, Mile-markers and Hopes will frame the work.

Meeting Dates are: 6pm-8pm on February 7th, February 28th, March 7th and if necessary March 10th.

The task force will be made up of persons who have signed up with a cap of 34 members. It is important that you are able to attend each meeting in person. A randomizer will be used if more people sign up. 

The taskforce will formulate a set of individual and or collective options for the Board of Education to consider at its March Meeting.

If you would like to be a member of this task force click on this link to sign up or please call Elizabeth Liberti at 518-731-1710 by February 1st.