SARATOGA SPRINGS — A proposed resolution reaffirming the Saratoga Springs School District’s support for DEI policies and transgender students’ ability to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity will be put to a vote at the next Board of Education meeting on Mar. 27.

Prior to deciding to put the item on the next meeting’s agenda, both board members and parents discussed the merits of the resolution at a Mar. 13 meeting.

At least six board members (Dr. Deborah Amory, Matthew Kopans, Natalya Lakhtakia, Beth Braxton, President Anjeanette Emeka, and Vice President Tony Krackeler) have indicated that they support the resolution. Two (Dr. Connie Woytowich and Dean A. Kolligian Jr.) expressed concerns with it.

Dr. Woytowich questioned the political intent of the statement.

“If we are going to be a political body and act like a political body, I’m definitely out,” Woytowich said. “I don’t want to wade in those waters. I don’t think it’s what we’re supposed to do and what we’re charged to do. I understand why this was brought forth, I just don’t know if it’s aligned with what we’re supposed to be doing at the table.”

Kolligian Jr. agreed with Woytowich’s belief that the resolution is political and requested that legal counsel review the statement before it’s voted upon. (President Emeka said that an attorney would look at the text).

The resolution, titled “Affirming Our Support for Every Student,” states, among other things, that the board of education would:

reaffirm its support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105 titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education”

uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections

affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status, and that law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions

respect students’ chosen names and pronouns while also ensuring their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity

The resolution appears to be a clear attempt to combat several Trump administration policies that threaten to rescind federal funds from educational institutions that don’t comply with the president’s executive orders.

Board Vice President Krackeler said that $3.1 million of the district’s 2024-25 budget came from the federal government. He also said that 100% of those funds are only amendable by an act of Congress. Krackeler’s budget assessment cast doubt on popular Facebook posts from a local political blog that suggested the number could be as high as $15 million.

Although Board Member Amory said the resolution poses “no financial risk,” Kolligian Jr. contended that federal funding numbers “could change tomorrow.”

During public comment periods, several district residents, parents, and at least one student said they supported the resolution. Jack Millis, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, said he was “honored to be a student under a school board that does not dare weigh a budget against the needs of my peers.” Terry Diggory, a parent of two graduates and the co-coordinator of the Saratoga Immigration Coalition, also urged the board to adopt the resolution.

Kimberly Barfuss, a parent of four district students, opposed the resolution, saying that “many parents in this area are not interested in compromising the district’s federal funding to further what could be construed as a political statement.”

The board will vote on the resolution at the next Board of Education meeting on Mar. 27.

MALTA — The Malta Sunrise Rotary Club will award two scholarships in 2025 to two graduating high school seniors who live in the Town of Malta. The first-place selected student will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000. Additionally, a one-time $500 scholarship will be awarded to the runner-up finalist.

Applicants should demonstrate strong involvement in community service and excellence in their core curriculum education as shown by a minimum 3.0 high school GPA. Consideration will be given to financial need as shown by the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA. The applicants must reside in the Town of Malta, including the Village of Round Lake. This may include students enrolled at Ballston Spa High School, Shenendehowa Central Schools, any accredited private or parochial school, and students participating in an accredited home-school program, as long as their legal residence is within Malta.

The applicants should plan to attend any accredited university, college, community college, or vocational/technical institute beginning in the fall of 2025. Payment will be made directly to the student upon receipt of the award.

The deadline for receipt of all required application materials is March 22. Applications are available in school counseling offices and/or by inquiry to Malta Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Chair Paul Phillips: (518) 796-5174 or email paulandjeanp@yahoo.com.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Central School District’s Board of Education recently approved a capital project proposal, which is scheduled for a vote on May 20 alongside the annual budget vote.

The district has invited community members to attend an information session to learn more about the proposed project on Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. A video highlighting features of the proposed construction will be released next month.

“The proposed project is designed to tackle items that were left out of previous initiatives and address new priorities that have emerged,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman in a statement. “Since the district’s last major project concluded in 2019, several areas have been identified as needing attention.”

The estimated cost of the capital project proposal is $10,795,000, which will align with the expiration of current bonds. As a result, the district said there will be no additional tax impact to fund the capital project. If the project is approved by voters, the district will work to finalize the details of the design and construction and submit plans to the NYS Education Department.

Proposed Scope of Work

The proposed project will span from summer 2027 to the summer of 2028 and includes the following components:

• Main Parking Lot:

Reconstruct the existing parking lot with asphalt and stone subbase.

– Study circulation patterns for safety and efficiency.

– Separate bus and car traffic for improved safety.

– Shift student parking spaces to the north parking lot.

– Widen the access road to the rear of the middle school.

• Elementary School:

– Replace classroom cabinet doors and countertops.

– Construct a concrete walkway from the building to the playscape.

– Paint and enhance the main lobby entrance.

– Add dimmable, LED lighting in classrooms.

– Replace lockers for grades 4 & 5.

– Update the gym with new wall pads, basketball backboards, and paint.

• High School:

– Renovate chemistry and physics classrooms.

– Replace lockers.

– Paint and enhance the main lobby entrance.

• General Work:

– Asbestos abatement to ensure a safe learning environment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District’s Board of Education plans to discuss and then vote on a resolution that would affirm the district’s support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, as well as transgender students’ ability to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.

Further discussion of the resolution is scheduled to occur at the board’s Mar. 13 meeting before a vote at the Mar. 27 meeting. The resolution was proposed by Board Members Dr. Deborah Amory, Matthew Kopans, and Natalya Lakhtakia.

At a Feb. 27 meeting, Amory said she would “like to emphasize that this is not a political issue of Democrats versus Republicans, but rather it’s a statement of board values and commitments that seeks to affirm existing laws and policies intended to uphold the dignity and rights of our students.”

The resolution, titled “Affirming Our Support for Every Student,” states, among other things, that the board of education would:

• reaffirm its support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105 titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education”
• uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections
• affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status, and that law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions
• respect students’ chosen names and pronouns while also ensuring their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity

The resolution appears to be an attempt to combat several Trump administration policies that threaten to rescind federal funds from educational institutions that don’t comply with the president’s executive orders.

On Feb. 14, the Trump administration’s Department of Education sent a letter to educational institutions receiving federal funds notifying them that they must “cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and beyond.” The letter stated that “institutions that fail to comply may, consistent with applicable law, face investigation and loss of federal funding.” The Department of Education said it would begin assessing compliance on Feb. 28.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration also ended a policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at schools. Last week, a federal judge ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could indeed make arrests in schools. A Siena College poll released last month showed that nearly 80% of New York voters supported deporting immigrants living in the country illegally who have also been convicted of a crime, but only 39% supported deporting immigrants living in the country illegally who have not been convicted of a crime.

On Feb. 5, President Trump signed an executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,”  that threatened to rescind all funds from educational programs that “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities” by allowing transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey of Americans found that 79% of participants said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports.

The following is the “Affirming Our Support for Every Student” resolution, as read by Amory at the Feb. 27 board meeting:

The Board of Education reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and high quality education for every student. Recent federal executive orders and communications targeting transgender students, immigrant youth, and important educational policies are antithetical to the principles of access and inclusion that define our schools and our community. New York State’s constitution guarantees a system of public schools wherein all the children of the state may be educated. This commitment was strengthened by landmark federal legislation such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as well as New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (known as DASA) and our constitutional equal rights amendment.

We stand firmly against any actions that undermine this tradition or threaten the dignity or rights of our students. To that end, we affirm the following commitments. First, dignity in education. Our board will create and support policies that uphold the inherent dignity of every student. We reject intolerant rhetoric or actions that undermine each and every student’s right to a free and fair education.

Next is commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We reaffirm our support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105, titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education.” We will continue to support our educators as they provide age-appropriate, accurate, and equitable education in our schools. We will uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and will not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections.

Support for immigrant students: we affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status as determined by Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe from 1982. We stand by our superintendent’s commitment to follow New York State guidance on these matters. Law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions.

Support for transgender and gender expansive students: our schools will continue to be environments where transgender and gender-expansive students can safely express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or harassment. We affirm the 2018 DASA amendment and will respect students’ chosen names and pronouns. We will ensure their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity.

Call to action: the board calls on families, educators, staff, students, and all members of our community to join us in affirming these commitments to provide a safe, inclusive, and high-quality education for every student. Together, we can ensure that each child in our district feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently released graduation rates and other data for area school districts. 

For the class of 2024, the statewide graduation rate was 86%. The Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville, and Ballston Spa school districts all outperformed the statewide rate. Schuylerville’s rate was 95%, Ballston Spa’s was 88%, and Saratoga Springs’ 2024 graduation rate was 93%.

According to NYSED, this data is reported by schools to the department throughout the school year and is available for verification by districts until August. District superintendents then certify that the data is accurate in September.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and the dedication of our teachers, staff, and families,” said Schuylerville High School Principal James Ducharme in a statement. “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone in our school community, and it reflects our ongoing efforts to provide the support and resources our students need to succeed.”

“This data highlights the strength of Schuylerville’s educational programs and partnerships with families,” added Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman. “The district’s commitment to academic excellence remains unwavering, and we are excited to continue building on this success in the years to come.”

BALLSTON SPA — After reviewing dozens of nominations for the Ballston Spa Athletic Hall of Fame, the committee has selected the following inductees into the Class of 2025: Michael DeLancey (Class of 1973), Michael Fregeau (Class of 1977), Trevor Marsicano (Class of 2006), Timothy Mundell (Class of 1980), Chris Ohnsman (Class of 2011), Ben Spoor (Class of 2013), and the 2019 varsity baseball team.

A ceremony to honor the inductees will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 1pm in the Ballston Spa High School auditorium. Tickets are available to the public and may be purchased at the door.

Nominations for the Class of 2026 will be accepted from May 1, 2025 until January 15, 2026. To submit a nomination, or for more information, visit ballstonspaathleticshalloffame.com.

The stated mission of the Ballston Spa Athletics Hall of Fame is to recognize athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, and community members who have made significant contributions to the Ballston Spa Athletics program through their service, performance, dedication, commitment, and accomplishment.