[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6125911,"mediaKeyId","2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e","parentId",2674276,"title","Special-education budget proposes staff increases, expands services and ESY supports; district reports some out-of-district students returning","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",11617000,"endMs",11820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e&start=11617&end=11820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e/thumbnail_11617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125911/New-York/Special-education-budget-proposes-staff-increases-expands-services-and-ESY-supports-district-reports-some-out-of-district-students-returning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125911-8033a0ae7cfa41045d645e436bd0af39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866721&Signature=IL1FMC0YZiwzC5Ou5Fkxy8-S6taSpyGZxRfS0JArIix8BRan1JpK43x2VLVXWerDJ1ySyEDM-UEM99KPMAzr2VHo3FcB4ltQIiGeI8RYnvcgOy~17W~9536gbxAcKb7Gd~kvOArViH21-YmjjayJOU3SyvodkuJfOUZ8uw3wKp7Y-2SOliwN9k418NkV5WLlMeqF60CBVOrH866-TzFtBDCi9VpWrYLLxiseuLEpd~MHN7PtLhSq-1dyXoXiocFc4ndX~Y4BsKy1umlhYhffybXQqK68Yhp1aKrvCaw-yGl08aGUc0qtOUfVxvt8viYkNHtY5P2LB4UYVSuKYgJKRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-17T14:29:35Z","article","Special-education staff told the board on March 15 that the proposed 2025'26 budget includes several staffing increases to meet individualized education program (IEP) recommendations, funding for adaptive equipment and expanded inclusive-sports programs, and continued support for the district's extended-school-year (ESY) program.

Kim (presenting) outlined three additional special-education teacher positions proposed for next year (one at the high school and two at the middle level) and an increase in 1-to-1 teaching assistants to follow individualized recommendations from Committee on Special Education (CSE) decisions. She said the 1-to-1 aide line increased substantially to respond to specific student needs and to staff two anticipated classes at the middle/high level.

The presentation also described non-personnel spending increases: funds to purchase adaptive physical-education equipment, a budget for sensory-friendly field-trip accommodations, and financing for district-hosted regional special-education events (the Pioneers/Unified program). ESY programming remains a district priority; administrators said the district-run 30-day program offers arts and music options and will run at Claremont for the coming summer.

On out-of-district tuition, administrators reported a net decline in projected tuition spending because a few students returned to district programs and some aged out or graduated; the transcript cited roughly 37 students in private placements at the time of the workshop but noted numbers shift frequently. The district said it continues to review placements with an emphasis on returning students to in-district programs when appropriate.

Special-education leaders also noted work to digitize records and to continue professional-development support for teachers specializing in curriculum for students with significant needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Budget Workshop March 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Special-education leadership presented a 2025'26 budget that includes planned hires for teachers and 1-to-1 aides, support for adaptive equipment and unified sports, and noted a net decrease in tuition costs as several out-of-district students returned to Ossining programs or aged out.","taxTitle","OSSINING UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38331,"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},6125916,"District tech budget maps 1-to-1 devices, E-rate-funded hotspots and expanded data tools",377,4223000,4600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e&start=4223&end=4600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e/thumbnail_4223000.jpg","/articles/6125916/New-York/District-tech-budget-maps-1-to-1-devices-E-rate-funded-hotspots-and-expanded-data-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125916-45c92549a3ec5154f3949e301804c206/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866721&Signature=bHMA2T71nfUqM6FPcYcu70kOsTrcJ4HaGCij1C3zXDWDt4XdzshYE3SY~nEEV~rPfb7wy6C8CoLfhGMEn0ZpaQJbHw0D00ttCecbYxhBQJrzknXmj0kRSjN70L7eSAyorm7FWo9AIN36fyIOqnZD4ib~NWinYz1sTpMNCEga4cjfFyFeapvUZRC5VDZYFT975AxaTx89VvXyewn611XjmjW3DcD7fbYxwzU~RmVIawO0qTRCVJ6U35ij9Vqu8gmB4AM-m6AsKRYUOC6zSaYNmmQEAZJ~CtBhzhoBle44aoR1yYKPHyNS2ALqq40r5ATTufTrVrB0zl3efjri9DauAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district's technology director presented a 2025'26 technology budget that includes continued support for the 1-to-1 Chromebook program (devices taken home in grades 5'12), an expansion of E-rate-subsidized cellular hotspots for families without reliable home internet and investments in data and analytics tools through BOCES services.

Mike (presenting) said the budget funds central business and administrative systems, student information systems and a one-time implementation of a new data visualization tool (Forecast5) through Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. He described an increase in the budget for staff development to support Infinite Campus scheduling and for an anticipated, short-term contract to help onboard a civil-service role that remains unfilled.

On digital equity, the district plans to add another 100 district-controlled cellular hotspots and expects a high E-rate reimbursement rate (the presenter noted the district's E-rate reimbursement percentage is about 85 percent), reducing net cost to the district. The district said federal E-rate funding reimburses a majority of recurring connectivity and that the 1, 1 device estate is funded through an installment purchase agreement (IPA) amortized over four years to smooth replacement cycles and capture state aid.

The technology presentation also addressed device management and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy: staff said BYOD is permitted at the high school but is not a substitute for the district's 1-to-1 program because of device-management, security and test-administration requirements. The administration said Chromebook loaners and classroom charging/storage solutions are maintained for younger grades.

Staff also described steps to support staff professional learning on AI tools and the district's participation in regional professional-development consortia to provide low-cost or no-cost training resources to teachers and administrators.","Technology staff presented a 2025'26 budget that funds one-to-one devices for students in grades 5'12, E-rate-subsidized home hotspot expansion, BOCES services for business and student systems and a move to a new district data-visualization platform.",{"_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},6125921,"Ossining transportation budget plans: bus contract renewal, monitors, testing electric buses in pilot",1285,2268000,3553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e&start=2268&end=3553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e/thumbnail_2268000.jpg","/articles/6125921/New-York/Ossining-transportation-budget-plans-bus-contract-renewal-monitors-testing-electric-buses-in-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125921-1dce8142941c8201cf3451ef3ccbca2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866721&Signature=QfvI6hSk5tfN1bOqK0~6aml5VAaLZSqlsOIJhlbQitMqRX4KdEhjkkohagLbldKmjK9NDydNNuQZ7xBxWOpPjrktQPgtsI7htuKsXK-c6ZIVwgBuVAIpjVy81oPzpgkJJiAfOc1JWIY~h8olzizcHZif9yBUdbrX8dSL1dUmAxy1vTTS8Fwvv7yKSxvhRLIk~YAfrD-gO1RpTNt82Xsmv-doI4GDJnUSqgrnLsXvdxlE16rRLHpjDfdpD5dmbdWxSGbhMHwOgnuvkZ2kGm5STD2aZ7H6NdAr6ga3p7zhNWaBp8bY2pWCH6VEI7~9-0Yz-sdBaDi551Jg8AaLg9ajQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 15 workshop, transportation staff reviewed a budget that reflects steady operations, an ongoing vendor relationship for contract transportation, and a multi-year approach to electrification of the bus fleet.

Transportation director Jim (presenting) recommended the board renew the district's contract with its current contractor rather than re-bid, saying renewal limits annual increases to a CPI factor and avoids the larger year-one cost spikes districts often see on open bids. \"If you go out to bid, then you're subject to whatever the market is,\" he said, adding that renewing an existing contract typically locks increases at about 3 percent.

Jim said the district now runs 89 contracted routes (up from 83 previously) and that the contract line reflects both an estimated CPI increase and the fact the district pays fuel for wet-contract mileage. He also said the district has 64 bus monitors budgeted (75 are needed including grant-funded monitors) and is actively hiring; the bus-monitors line reflects that recruitment and retention progress.

Transportation staff described safety and enforcement technology already in place. The district-installed bus-patrol cameras generated about 505 summonses initially and then tapered; internal and external camera systems (including vendor-installed Lytx forward-facing driver cameras) are improving compliance. Jim said Royal Coach (the operator) and its parent company are deploying systems that record driver behavior and send alerts for coaching.

On electrification, the district is participating in a Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES-led electrification grant process with consultant support; Jim said the vendor plans to purchase two electric full-size buses in the coming year and allow the district to evaluate operations, but widespread adoption depends on grant funding, manufacturing lead times and the need for charging infrastructure. He noted that electric buses currently cost substantially more than conventional buses and that state and federal grants are intended to offset much of the price difference.

Timing: administrators said they are awaiting grant notifications and clarified that contract renewal terms, vehicle procurement timelines and any infrastructure work to support electrification will be scheduled to minimize service disruption.","Transportation staff recommended renewing the contract with the district's current vendor to lock annual increases at CPI, described progress on bus-safety camera enforcement and monitoring, and said the vendor plans to trial electric full-size buses in the near term pending grant funding and infrastructure work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6125925,"Ossining budget includes $ for window air-conditioning units to cool classrooms lacking central HVAC",869,868000,1737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e&start=868&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6125925/New-York/Ossining-budget-includes-for-window-air-conditioning-units-to-cool-classrooms-lacking-central-HVAC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125925-f9d395398a68e75cc8fe2a055c3d60fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866721&Signature=l3DSBu2cwxDsxkFkiM1MGiVOeQBpAPYuWU2D~-H-QkqG~HmuqapdvzBBbkyi5d~tjiijXsfPcP211aEu-4oiAE2ZYi8l8Y-OHj24DPx6KT-COEV50mZvoQqTfEsil~o4j36sLejpN5LZMoRvTju7ftdrOqo2y4dXNxZkag2PmHcI50c06YiPmTAMAY~LmHc~A83OnyRWKYkdUW7X0Ivmg4j1L7C~ykw4J4yNPluZFxnQAzhdDupcG-tVaOrkgA9AgOTz6wCCdZM1moEzcR6Km9SKxmfqPZYpJoMhWkQ8FLuhwT2E8jU9Ep5kjmE65XzyeC5Wyz9baOVsA78x5pRq7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District buildings-and-grounds staff told the board on March 15 that the superintendent's proposed 2025'26 budget includes a sizable equipment line to buy and install commercial-grade window air conditioners in classrooms that currently lack central HVAC or are not scheduled to receive it under the district's pending capital projects.

Jared, who presented facilities pages at the workshop, said the request targets instructional spaces that are not already covered by ongoing or planned capital HVAC upgrades: \"The goal is to get to all the instructional spaces that do not have air conditioning,\" he said. He listed an initial estimate of classrooms in need: 45 at the high school, 27 at Park and additional classrooms at Claremont and Brookside; Roosevelt and other sections already addressed were excluded from that count.

The plan calls for the district to purchase commercial-grade window units, replace a window sash with an insulated mounting panel, and run a dedicated electrical circuit to each unit. Facilities staff also stressed electrical upgrades needed to support the equipment, noting prior work on service panels to expand capacity. Jared said the estimate uses historical pricing and that the final total will be determined through bidding. He cautioned that cost escalation could increase final costs.

Board members pressed staff to confirm the districts would not duplicate capital HVAC work already in planning. Facilities staff said they would not install window units in spaces covered by planned capital work (for example, AMD is in a capital project plan and would not receive window units). The administration characterized the purchases as equipment (operating budget) rather than capital because the units are not intended to be permanent building HVAC replacements.

Administration and board members framed the plan as a multi-year effort that pairs capital investment for long-term HVAC with operating purchases to protect classrooms in the near term. The board asked for a bid process and for the administration to clarify a campus-by-campus breakdown and the percentage of instructional spaces that would be served by the current ask.

Staff said they will return with bid totals and clarified that the budget request is intended to be as non-duplicative as possible with capital HVAC projects already on the district's plan.","District staff proposed a line in the 2025'26 budget to buy commercial-grade window air-conditioning units and install dedicated circuits in classrooms that currently lack central air, focusing on instructional spaces not already scheduled for capital HVAC upgrades.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6125930,"Ossining superintendent proposes 2025–26 budget under 2% tax-levy increase, recommends contingency using fund balance",375,80000,455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e&start=80&end=455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674276-243a9cbeac1f651984fed639ee35518e/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6125930/New-York/Ossining-superintendent-proposes-202526-budget-under-2-tax-levy-increase-recommends-contingency-using-fund-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125930-2261aa793b5e4c3e2d2cb835cfb276ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866721&Signature=ekwN6OmajaJlo4HvbnKvZ16Ih-zAL6D2Th3162IJ9ubQzkHQrXuq~rGOGnBJl3WLSSaQQ~FIipo55-EfL6B~Aw~01S4KUmvVjKebF7JQxYl-8bWwJ0QXJwFagWOlcY-UqVZ71D~tE~QQF7e6d2rn88WFp78CyH-Sh5SPZmctZBTamivB6wxjJE0t1QaRzkNq0-f1nRRM4L6sWIYEo12py2-LdKDSv5etaUb-i1MgMZhoPxMUgDWspOVZz3d9E6iKDj~-huqfRbWHrO5fTcQqljRAkRLvupR3~tXRWK4hbjnrzNQP5QaikEQYidOqsrtB5Ghhr~UM8YSumdMclE1AoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ossining Union Free School District presented the superintendent's proposed budget for the 2025'26 school year at a March 15 budget workshop, projecting a final tax-levy increase below 2 percent and recommending use of unappropriated fund balance to manage one-time needs and potential midyear grant reductions.

The proposal, delivered by budget presenter Alita Suber, lays out a spending plan slightly lower than the prior year and reflects a recommended levy limit of about 1.67 percent. Suber said the overall district budget is about $1.5 million lower than 2024'25 and that the proposal does not draw on several restricted reserves: \"We are not using any capital reserves or ERS or TRS reserves in the 25'26 budget,\" she said.

District administrators emphasized contingency planning for federal and state grant uncertainty. The proposed budget uses $6.6 million of unappropriated fund balance to stay within the levy limit and recommends maintaining additional unassigned fund balance as a one-year cushion if federal or state grants—many of which fund staff—are reduced. The administration estimated roughly $6.8 million in federal and state grant revenue in 2025'26, about $4.8 million of which covers salaries and roughly $494,000 for benefits; they recommended setting aside an additional contingency equal to several million dollars of that exposure rather than increasing the levy.

The package adds a small number of staff in operational and instructional areas and includes continued funding for bond-related capital work and equipment purchases such as window air-conditioner units for classrooms that do not yet have central HVAC. Administrators said they aim to preserve core programs and avoid midyear cuts by using targeted fund balance rather than increasing recurring tax burden.

The board and administration said the budget figures are preliminary and could change after the state finalizes its aid runs and the district finalizes capital timing. The administration plans further analysis before Board adoption and public presentation ahead of the district's required budget vote.

Looking ahead, the district will present a formal adoption proposal consistent with state timelines. The superintendent's office and business staff will continue to refine state-aid projections and confirm the final levy limit number after the state budget runs are released in late March or early April.","At a March 15 budget workshop, district staff presented the superintendent's proposed 2025'26 budget that holds the tax levy below 2%, relies on targeted use of unappropriated fund balance and includes contingency planning in case federal or state grant funding is reduced midyear.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Special-education budget proposes staff increases, expands services and ESY supports; district reports some out-of-district students returning

District tech budget maps 1-to-1 devices, E-rate-funded hotspots and expanded data tools

Ossining transportation budget plans: bus contract renewal, monitors, testing electric buses in pilot

Ossining budget includes $ for window air-conditioning units to cool classrooms lacking central HVAC

Ossining superintendent proposes 2025–26 budget under 2% tax-levy increase, recommends contingency using fund balance