[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6289223,"mediaKeyId","2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841","parentId",2532720,"title","Syosset budget preview: rising insurance, transportation and benefits could push district to tax cap","audioSeconds",1176,"startMs",1235000,"endMs",2411000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841&start=1235&end=2411","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841/thumbnail_1235000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289223/New-York/Syosset-budget-preview-rising-insurance-transportation-and-benefits-could-push-district-to-tax-cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289223-2acc01fdf064a0a3148967bd73f11e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519530&Signature=AcmyIj8aPX5IaUrgOJWGg6CJohNeSOzERAIV3v09sv3rJizlUQQnLSIDkz7PUPhrKi~819VLGZalTsZJt9hJNLkEbUOL8Pd2HbN-MZUx9~L-wmOI1jsIxgncdO6dxCoOuT9-l1yzzDhXoZZV9QBd0EfCvhZQiZQEQS16Sxz7k~wyyFJnVnVqJJMXo-Yn2QhE4ykvFhq373bp4YYRQxyUcEiC~UqOJbtUAqVxozPG56zv5OGr4tnlw7es8l2OeO3ZoRtTL29CNPU2pPGLNndqHTCwPE9Ys-SyEJ~-TyMFS860runF9bkRs2fupWu1a5Pqx9faHnLmN9aLeB2NxuRbmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-03T13:18:44Z","article","The Syosset Central School District’s finance team told the Board of Education at its March meeting that rising health-insurance premiums, a tightening insurance market related to Child Victim Act claims, and transportation bid increases are creating budget pressure that could push the district up against the 2025–26 tax cap.

Treasurer Dr. Ruffeld reported that cash-on-hand at the end of January 2025 was $111,006,639.99 and that bank balances were reconciled and collateralized in accordance with district policy. She said the district has relied on restricted reserves in recent years to offset cost spikes and expects to use roughly $8.2 million of reserves in 2025–26, up from about $7.2 million in 2024–25.

Why it matters: the district’s primary goal, administrators said, is preserving existing programs and services for students while staying within the state tax cap. Officials warned the combination of sustained enrollment growth, inflationary pressures and increases in employee benefits may force choices about phasing capital projects or shifting expenditures.

Highlights from the presentation
- Benefits: The district is projecting an overall benefits increase of roughly $1.8 million (about 2.4%), driven primarily by a health-insurance line administrators said currently includes an assumed 10% premium increase for next year. The district uses restricted reserves (ERS, TRS and other lines) to smooth benefit cost spikes.
- Reserves: For 2024–25 the district used about $7.2 million of reserves; current planning shows about $8.2 million for 2025–26, including an additional $500,000 to ERS. TRS full expenditure is shown near $12.4 million and the district currently plans to use about $2 million of the TRS reserve in 2025–26.
- Insurance market: Citizens Finance Committee members and administration discussed a difficult insurance market driven in part by claims related to the Child Victims Act and fewer insurers writing school-district business, producing higher premiums and fewer competitive bids.
- Transportation: The district’s transportation contractor declined to renew at CPI; bids recently returned and administrators said they expect increases “well above” CPI but did not disclose final contract amounts at the meeting.
- Program (instructional) budget: The program section accounts for roughly three-quarters of total spending. Administrators reported a preliminary program increase of about $7.5 million (4.75%). The largest function code (2-110, classroom instruction) is budgeted at about $90 million and is up roughly $2.8 million (3.2%). Special education is forecast to increase roughly $2.2 million (6.8%), driven by additional support staff hired in the current year and an additional special‑education kindergarten class; administration said special‑education shows a net increase of about five FTEs.

Board questions and clarifications
Board members pressed for detail on whether the roughly $1 million health-insurance increase reflected a change to one contract or multiple plans; administration said NYSHIP (the New York State Health Insurance Program) provides a range of premium rates and that projections include a 10% assumption for the second half of next year. Members also asked whether specific items (mascot-related turf work, summer-school insurance allocation) were already included in capital or administrative lines; administrators pointed to prior-year capital allocations and said insurance is budgeted within the administrative insurance code.

Administration’s next steps
Administrators said they will continue staffing and benefits work, finalize revenue assumptions (including BOCES reimbursement timing), revisit capital phasing and equipment purchases, and present an updated revenue/expenditure picture at the next meeting in advance of an April budget adoption.

Ending
Treasurer Dr. Ruffeld and Superintendent Dr. Rogers said the district will aim to protect instructional programming while pursuing cost reductions or timing changes to capital items and will report back with refined numbers prior to the formal budget adoption vote.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education & Budget Information Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Syosset Central School District’s finance team told the Board of Education at its March meeting that rising health-insurance premiums, a tightening insurance market related to Child Victim Act claims, and transportation bid increases are creating budget pressure that could push the district up against the 2025–26 tax cap.","taxTitle","Syosset Central School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",50823,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6289213,"Board debates SIO Plus pathways as district starts issuing technical endorsements; 39 seniors opted to take industry exams",2514,5018000,7532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841&start=5018&end=7532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841/thumbnail_5018000.jpg","/articles/6289213/New-York/Board-debates-SIO-Plus-pathways-as-district-starts-issuing-technical-endorsements-39-seniors-opted-to-take-industry-exams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289213-cc1cc464130ed7df544bfa4e7bfda533/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519530&Signature=OO3e27gyFxBvVeGSmxtIj-1GtibjOsE7LsFiXBAJPYjinwoEzDnv5pUoiXvHu11CJQgDNSnVOMhNMm~lEmbbR9ZJitrHFoLXkt5aMlg954JAzZCDzTnv7Mlgdbkpr6woevxBMblnpUF01aoAWKytZkAq6tWZrtEjxBLaY6G7JJfuQN5PhR7iGN4AjuNRYUEphqbxBZh8coBJvl6w11~RnR-IykKwYqCcMAorILYX3CQD3pKDvya925vxT-41EXd7~r9uboeFz5KFZJCREbds-vlH3iyf3dHozSw2DEo9jJ8JrleArgtofI4pHvRELXXc83Dihyaj1AJCJij3Xw3umA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders and Board members spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing the SIO Plus program — Syosset’s local name for the New York State technical‑endorsement pathways that will sit alongside a future single‑diploma model.

What the district presented
Work-based learning coordinator/lead Mr. Steinberg explained that state graduation-measure changes move the state from three diplomas to a single diploma with endorsements or seals for advanced designations, mastery and technical areas. Syosset built SIO Plus to let students earn the State Education Department technical endorsement while remaining at the home high school; to earn an endorsement, students must complete 3.5 credits of approved coursework (half-credit must include personal finance), and pass an industry-standard exam.

Early results
Mr. Steinberg told the board that district transcript analysis showed 40 seniors had already met coursework requirements and 39 chose to take industry exams this year (breakdown presented: ~10 accounting/finance, 20 business-management, 9 pre‑engineering). If those exams are passed, students will have a technical endorsement on their diploma. The district described this as voluntary recognition of coursework students already completed.

Board concerns and clarifications
Several board members raised concerns about timeline, equity and unintended pressure on students:
- Pathways timeline and state approval: Board members asked why approvals and rollouts take multiple years; administration explained state approval cycles (applications submitted in October; implementation the following school year) and said the district is advocating for more local flexibility to speed new pathway offerings.
- Choice and pressure: Multiple trustees warned pathways risk adding another “box to check” for college‑bound students or pressuring students to specialize too early. Administrators repeatedly emphasized that students are not placed into pathways early; the district expects guided conversations in 11th grade based on transcript analysis and student interest so students choose — not be forced — into a pathway.
- College admissions: Trustees worried colleges typically use AP and core coursework as standard comparators across schools. Administrators said current practice is that industry endorsements are not transcript entries now and that, for the class of 2025 taking exams in April, most results will arrive after college‑application deadlines; the endorsements may be highlighted in essays or resumes but are not yet a standard admissions lever. State redesign of transcripts is under discussion and may affect presentation in future years.

Administration response and next steps
Administrators said they will:
- Continue to expand pathway design, aim to include more cross‑disciplinary electives and seek state flexibility on what teacher certifications may be used in a pathway so more departments can participate.
- Use transcript‑analysis dashboards to inform eleventh‑grade guidance conversations (showing which students are one or two courses away from an endorsement so opportunities are not missed).
- Monitor college-admissions practice and transcript redesign work at the state level and report back to the board as policies evolve.

Ending
Board members asked administration to refine program materials, study potential unintended consequences (pressure, narrowing of electives), and return with more detail. Several trustees expressed support for the program if it remains voluntary, broadly accessible, and accompanied by guidance that protects student choice and wellbeing.
","District staff described the new SIO Plus technical endorsement program (a state technical endorsement pathway) and said 39 seniors elected to take industry exams; board members raised concerns about timeline, student pressure, college admissions implications and flexibility of pathway design.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6289218,"Board hears progress report on elementary math rollout; Go Math platform and Waggle draw parent and teacher questions",837,3359000,4196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841&start=3359&end=4196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532720-97dabaa8647754bd91cd70216659c841/thumbnail_3359000.jpg","/articles/6289218/New-York/Board-hears-progress-report-on-elementary-math-rollout-Go-Math-platform-and-Waggle-draw-parent-and-teacher-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289218-ba8a3f36fcf570597e1180a68ced68a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519530&Signature=B2mI6aKAp4hWB5p2S7YmFsZTu6ACgNF4v1QyjV3BjMpQtYxYwplc1ZRJFUuyZe-Py8nnwDr7Rgv0srQx-EHoSe-Dagqn58Wic~2zS9QTJ4sjALOK4fQiwZDFZyNobrspxCrfLfviQscsSHM0rOE5uD-vcZ6ngJRvl-RBsN1q0U5H-acMlr46wD2BICo7zE59aTYwks6rk37-YjcTaBRbL2sPSsYlRV3s0FWBNrFZK8FfBOk4YMgPNRN~ae6d6rmm~c4WMMVtD9yPN~uAKvMxjGkT2OJisB51K51oun4UZCeQjPou2MsQ6KAt~-1OWcvVPMCkKp7NGGj5imbRDt3P4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Syosset Central School District officials reported to the Board of Education that the district has implemented an updated Go Math primary resource at the elementary level and is three quarters of the way through the first year of rollout, with professional development, curriculum-writing and parent outreach under way.

Why it matters: administrators said the primary resource supports the Next Generation Learning Standards and provides a consistent resource across the district’s seven elementary schools; the board’s discussion focused on family access, hands-on instructional time, supports for multilingual learners and evidence of early results.

What presenters said
Dr. Weltzak (presenting with Barbara Fournier, elementary STEM administrator) said Syosset convened a committee of classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, enrichment staff and administrators to evaluate elementary resources after the vendor for the district’s prior program announced its sunsetting. The committee used a rubric to compare products and selected the updated Go Math resource, which the presenters said is aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards and offers digital tools, shorter focused chapters, teacher supports and an adaptive practice platform called Waggle connected to NWEA data.

Implementation and usage
Presenters said the district ran summer curriculum-writing, delivered fall professional development and offered ongoing coaching through a virtual Coachly service that provides teachers with dedicated instructional coaches via the Go Math platform. The district ran a parent workshop in February and has collected monthly feedback. Digital‑usage data shown to the board indicated consistent student logins; the presenters noted unusually high engagement even during the winter break.

Feedback and planned adjustments
Teachers reported that Waggle and the platform are accessible and that editable tests and coach sessions are helpful. Common teacher feedback centered on chapter/lesson order, pacing and report-card alignment; administrators said they will address sequencing concerns in summer curriculum writing. Presenters emphasized that while the digital platform is an enhancement, the majority of in‑class elementary math instruction remains workshop based, using manipulatives and centers; Waggle typically serves as one center rotation among others.

Supports and equity
Presenters said the updated program includes multilingual-learner supports and that ELL staff and classroom teachers coordinate on word-problem instruction and concept vocabulary. A more robust intervention pathway tied to the new primary resource is available for tiered supports. The district said it will continue monitoring unit assessments and state assessment data to judge effectiveness.

Board questions
Board members sought help for parents who struggle to explain newer methods at home; presenters said the platform contains short “math on the spot” videos and a parent/family room with online resources and that recorded materials and the slideshow will be posted. Members also asked whether learning has become more digital; presenters reiterated that workbooks and hands-on centers remain the central instructional tools.

Ending
Administrators said they will continue monthly feedback collection, refine scope and sequence in summer curriculum writing, expand project‑based learning opportunities to support deeper mathematical thinking and report progress to the board.
","District presenters said they adopted the updated Go Math primary resource, reported digital usage, professional development and early teacher and parent feedback; board members asked for more family supports and clarified hands-on and multilingual‑learner supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Syosset budget preview: rising insurance, transportation and benefits could push district to tax cap

Board debates SIO Plus pathways as district starts issuing technical endorsements; 39 seniors opted to take industry exams

Board hears progress report on elementary math rollout; Go Math platform and Waggle draw parent and teacher questions