The Yorktown Central School District Board of Education meeting on March 3, 2025, addressed several key issues impacting students and the community, particularly concerning data privacy and upcoming budget considerations.

A significant topic of discussion was the recent discontinuation of certain Google services, including YouTube and Google Earth, due to a lack of a data privacy agreement between New York State Education and Google. As of February 28, these services are no longer accessible through student accounts, although teachers can still utilize YouTube content in their lessons through alternative methods. The district is prepared to assist any staff or students who may encounter difficulties during this transition.

In terms of budget planning, Superintendent Ron emphasized the rigorous process involved in preparing the district's budget for the upcoming school year. He highlighted the importance of balancing the needs of students and staff with the financial constraints imposed by the tax cap. The budget presentation scheduled for March 24 will consolidate various requests from department heads and principals, reflecting the district's commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. The total federal funding currently stands at approximately $1.25 million, and the board will need to evaluate which programs can be sustained if federal grants are reduced.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the upcoming registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, encouraging families to enroll their children early to ensure adequate funding and resources for these programs. The district anticipates having 88 seats available for pre-k, with 130 students already registered as of late February.

As the meeting concluded, Superintendent Ron also shared community updates, including the success of the high school boys' basketball team, which has qualified for the county center playoffs, and the upcoming spring musical, "Footloose." He reminded residents about the start of daylight saving time on March 9, which may affect school schedules.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's ongoing efforts to adapt to changing circumstances while prioritizing the educational needs of its students and maintaining open communication with the community.