[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6552967,"mediaKeyId","5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07","parentId",5082823,"title","Board reviews revised code of conduct and new smartphone policy; administration to draft regulations","audioSeconds",861,"startMs",5568000,"endMs",6429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07&start=5568&end=6429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07/thumbnail_5568000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552967/New-York/Board-reviews-revised-code-of-conduct-and-new-smartphone-policy-administration-to-draft-regulations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552967-17ef6102d5836fd0c59999cae2c92d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144345&Signature=j~9Gsh19Hl1c8HG8Z5ORsNrj4A16MAe3c~Fw5KAd0I9KIloUEg41Xz5Qbx72wAh37R0T7etb7ZVpYAoTxtsF8LMBoADNdgCA072nv31-L8BLa7eoT3sJptoe3oDc~KiAh7h8q7oMxvvdzVs2nXYGObl6TlLp3zgfVMyb6floYsi0bfVf06TfQxHvjVeBUV4tto5MfO6r10ZgEWJl197zIdwPdYgf~8w9pGFCVyQYHKkUXH42XERywgkxuWZHf~vrqlbvyXEB4qbJmeIRyzwH0hfja13TNRw65jVM6ihUVxPW21FUa8hfnt7idFNWjI0kcZyLfj~Ee4J69rcNXbzg~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-06-27T13:28:17Z","article","The board discussed multiple policy revisions on June 4, including a simplified, plain‑language rewrite of the district’s code of conduct and a substantially revised policy on students and personal electronic devices intended to comply with recent changes in state law.

Policy committee chair Miss Krejci summarized changes proposed to the code of conduct (policy 5300) including: shorter introductory language for readability, consolidation and clarification of behavior definitions, removal of an automatic requirement to notify police for specified offenses (replaced with the option to notify), expansion of the \"false alarm\" definition to include tampering and inappropriate 911 calls, and the inclusion of inappropriate use of artificial intelligence under academic dishonesty. The committee said additional sections will be revised next year to simplify further and make the policy accessible to students and families.

On personal electronic devices (policy 5695), the committee described a district approach to comply with Education Law §2803, which allows small city districts to prohibit smartphones during the school day. Key points the board noted:

- The policy will prohibit internet‑enabled smartphones and permit the district to include so‑called \"dumb phones\" (non‑internet flip phones) among banned items at the district’s discretion. The policy committee noted the state law permits districts to set that local rule.

- Elementary schools will use classroom or hallway cubbies for storage; secondary schools will issue individual locked pouches for students to secure devices. Students who arrive with unlocked phones will be asked to stow them; noncompliance will lead to staff confiscation and secure storage until the end of the day. Parents will not be required to retrieve confiscated phones.

- No student will be suspended solely for violating the device policy; however, other code of conduct offenses connected to device incidents may trigger disciplinary steps.

- Exemptions will be made for district‑issued instructional devices, devices required by a student's IEP or Section 504 plan, or devices needed to manage health needs; the administration will develop a districtwide exemption and communication process, including accommodations for families with limited English proficiency.

Board members raised operational questions about implementation: how buildings will communicate contact methods for parents during the day, handling of broken district Chromebooks or loaner devices, and the narrow definition of contraband (for example, devices or tools used to defeat storage pouches). Administration said regulation language and building implementation plans will be drafted and returned to the board by July (staff said they hope to be back by July 24). The board did not adopt the code of conduct or the device regulation at this meeting; the ex‑officio student policy (separate item) was adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Public Meeting | Live Stream | June 26th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board reviewed proposed rewrites to the district code of conduct and a revamped policy banning internet‑enabled devices during the school day under state law; administrators will return with regulations and implementation plans this summer.","taxTitle","ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38555,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552971,"Board adopts routine consent agenda including personnel and contracts",60,5081000,5141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07&start=5081&end=5141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07/thumbnail_5081000.jpg","/articles/6552971/New-York/Board-adopts-routine-consent-agenda-including-personnel-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552971-2502854aca143ea12263d014bea27dac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144345&Signature=hno4Dv5Td12vqWdSeJF4n63EtyjMLsxKJwayxJsb5mDUcbIVFNq6rUH~RniQye0efZn~DNyHLmD-YsFxcXiP~8fB~T~oUAVz8aRmtLZFo1uZ8K2c1~Eo6qwEjyceIV5yZfh1OQ8pkHx~de-tx0krCosKCXLn-7Mo6mNG7hRXqnBdM5K7FuLud3XCYDkxTFICElCs3xXs1gqJYDMuSTDA57Tc1S3g-WnANUHDp4PDOkfX4u6T7qecWvPw0iEILyce04Gado3kzwBrCXPAGpL2RmaTF~8cNEljgtFOkYvYqIF4n0luV6kuy62kafW2FKGyCjQk3FR7839UajSDpsHE9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City School District of Albany Board of Education unanimously adopted its routine consent agenda at the June 4 meeting, approving grouped items such as contracts, field trip authorizations, and personnel actions. Board members were given the opportunity to set aside any consent item for separate discussion; none were set aside and the chair declared the consent package adopted by unanimous voice vote.

The board president noted that each member has reviewed the items prior to the meeting and that separate discussion may be requested in the future if needed. No specific contract numbers, personnel names or field trip details were read into the public record during the roll call for adoption.","The Board unanimously adopted the routine consent agenda, which bundles contracts, field trips, personnel matters and similar routine items; no individual items were pulled for separate votes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552976,"Albany board reallocates year‑end fund balance, amends tax‑certiorari and capital reserves",636,8422000,9058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07&start=8422&end=9058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07/thumbnail_8422000.jpg","/articles/6552976/New-York/Albany-board-reallocates-yearend-fund-balance-amends-taxcertiorari-and-capital-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552976-c479d2b3c79cb5c8992f4dbe1622d484/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144345&Signature=QLf1gdtxU1ySa1F8pBfT5OKqU8rlpdaHse3XirNNLZWA6bEocnHhC5X4G2mh64zW4kn2GneeI0G6UXu-hcshvbhYWG~7TSbTkKjKXeFCsMNC19ow7PwDFb2BV-BQwVYkvKUn0T~CqAXmSIkv8E69l5Iim5-f-mARmV6pFZVjb3UYMppkTvXwltiHcrNLBCbZlnDFPGplkOai5ZCbpVIH9Q5NpcmplyV0Fu~JIgaQiZZWzyv1NnByDMnIYb8RfVF57q3MnqBB9BLDwFZH6tM9md73zzxCUs6tTEAQ~PEBeag3QEpe39xSlYSYp3PbcO6W2XrWoR5R2WWQK6jfl3CE0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City School District of Albany Board of Education on June 4 approved an amended year‑end fund balance transfer, reallocating surplus operating fund dollars into designated reserves.

District finance staff told the board the year‑end estimate was higher than earlier projections and moved to return excess above the 4% undesignated fund balance into reserve accounts. Board discussion focused on how much to hold in the tax certiorari reserve (set aside to cover potential successful tax challenges or payments) versus the new capital reserve established last year for future projects.

After discussion, a board member moved to amend the proposal on the floor: reduce the deposit into the tax certiorari reserve to $1.25 million and direct $2.0 million into the capital reserve; the board approved the amended resolution. The superintendent explained the district uses the tax certiorari reserve to avoid needing to pay large refunds from the general fund if a long‑running property payment dispute is resolved against the district. Finance staff noted that sums placed in a tax certiorari reserve are subject to a three‑year rotation back to the general fund if not used.

Board members debated the tradeoffs: some preferred greater caution for tax certiorari exposure, others preferred shifting more into capital to support planned facilities work. The amendment was approved and the chair announced the motion passed.

The board recorded the action as an approval of the amended fund balance transfer; detailed dollar amounts and the final board vote were recorded during the meeting. Staff said any additional surplus discovered after the audit could be added to the capital reserve.","The board approved an amended resolution reallocating surplus fund balance: the tax certiorari deposit was reduced and $2 million was added to a capital reserve to support future projects; the motion passed on June 4.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552978,"Albany board adopts ex‑officio student board member policy; student selection to begin this year",1331,4159000,5490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07&start=4159&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07/thumbnail_4159000.jpg","/articles/6552978/New-York/Albany-board-adopts-exofficio-student-board-member-policy-student-selection-to-begin-this-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552978-7c31e0bcb0a4b8abe374543e1e469b2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144345&Signature=Kt1N5GZRevYmkU1o6uBt5s5fkgIL8DBBufIUBxMwTB0eiGivuNSlNqBJapLDlFQniqE-uHwBVQDwjrPszKXViXIQ3Oi6ArjCB2~MmUSjV-SdTxyixa~25eQ6L2YNwJ7RuJ-LGi~dm6RZYcixCpAGFHng3lnKjsCHjIDG6YcZyP424Wo2hu7em0JEH4EVgsqM9ov8jCV8VklsZz6WkCrB2OMqBG1N3N4SJELc91VobXRIHoFqRRJIURDTOQSsJoK2NuD3mMVxC2yrZIEYGvQrfTTJvvph-sKdHxfN7TM1P6a6Xn1qD0~92Klm-QQDJ29Rz7xBbKU0h85F-iEKd6w9bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City School District of Albany Board of Education on June 4 voted unanimously to adopt a policy establishing two ex‑officio student representatives — a primary and an alternate — to the board, fulfilling a state requirement for student representation.

Austin Wolfgang, who spoke during public comment and said he supports the district’s draft policy, urged that student members be chosen by Albany High School’s student government and recommended committee participation for student representatives. \"The student is selected by the Albany High student government instead of being selected by an administrator or the board,\" Wolfgang said during public comment, and he asked the board to consider allowing student representatives to serve on committees.

Policy committee chair Miss Krejci and other board members said the policy requires the high school student government to select the representative and makes clear the role represents the district’s student body rather than just the high school. For the coming 2025‑26 school year, because the district could not complete the full selection timeline, the high school principal and the superintendent will work with Albany High Student Government Association to appoint the initial representatives from students who signaled interest during the ad hoc committee’s work.

The policy requires buildings to address transportation needs and communications access for students and families, and delegates specific selection criteria (for example, any minimum grade requirements) to a regulation to be drafted by the administration. Board members said the regulation will set the routine academic or participation criteria and the timeline for subsequent years. The board expects the regulation and implementation details to return to the board by July (the administration said it hopes to be back by July 24).

Board members and staff identified other implementation details the regulation will address: transportation support for students who must travel to board meetings, mentorship and a team operations manual describing board expectations for the student representative, and accommodations for student schedules. The policy allows exemptions already required by law for student participation and does not grant the student board member the right to vote on board business.

The motion to adopt the policy was made by Vicky Smith and seconded by Dr. Chachor; the chair announced the vote as unanimous. Board members said the district will continue work this summer to finalize the regulation and selection timeline for the 2026‑27 school year.","The Board adopted a policy creating a primary and alternate ex‑officio student representative seat, to be selected this year by an interim process and via student government in future years.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6552980,"Albany board approves on‑time teachers’ contract after interest‑based bargaining",679,4360000,5039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07&start=4360&end=5039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082823-df8a65828abe9695a157bf88537d0e07/thumbnail_4360000.jpg","/articles/6552980/New-York/Albany-board-approves-ontime-teachers-contract-after-interestbased-bargaining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552980-fbb648d0f9029963618b542944d9c166/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144345&Signature=jjf9TxXemnTAqqh0pY4eQRDBlXnU8TRg6aBb36KJmy0rJUpUEoixL5CkX~K~srPvrJKr1b-fXPCHB23iwohinKU1-ZnbeOTH87ctLj1V1lmTsAhyQn0-PKr8q8jLwyFMmaG74ZRjN4RAC-bXXzxwUEczlCoKvGIhcZJndDkAPYn2uyl2HEI32U9XO03S8lhzTnEXJqlM5k54okoNTpDsVG-YhVy2otSt8UFQf1~-RVlGORdX4MFtRyRFjsSYOwrdCk7rH-60a~Um8efwZM4VjvAH2vNRe0uWuoTEFIAt2mw5LH8qkHyFaGFywMIVnAZ03OS2ZeynZjjEeWg9H7PpTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City School District of Albany Board of Education on June 4 unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Albany Public School Teachers Association (APSTA), the board president announced after a motion and second. Board President Sridhar Chatur said the agreement was presented \"upon the recommendation of the superintendent\" and the motion to approve the MOA was carried unanimously.

The contract, dated June 4, 2025, was the product of an interest‑based bargaining (IBB) process the district and teachers’ union said differed from prior negotiations. Superintendent Hockrider told the board the district and APSTA had sought \"a different tone and a different feel\" for bargaining, emphasizing collaboration and the \"why\" of proposals rather than only the \"what.\" He described the work as taking risks worth taking to improve climate, culture and retention.

Laura Franz, president of the Albany Public School Teachers Association, said the union’s members \"overwhelmingly ratified this with a 90% confidence rate\" and praised IBB for giving classroom staff an equal voice in crafting solutions. Deanna Karas, the district’s long‑time chief negotiator, called the process \"by far the best experience\" she has participated in, saying both sides identified issues, generated options and drafted language together.

Phil Mavrigas, who will chair future negotiations for APSTA, said the experience convinced him the parties can work toward shared goals: \"We all do want many of the same things. We want this district to be a place where people want to work… and where they can do their best work.\" The superintendent and board members likewise described the result as a collective win for students and staff.

The board motion approving the MOA was offered by Elman Almenawi and seconded by Vicky Smith; a roll call was taken and the board chair announced the vote as unanimous. The district did not publish salary or term details in the public portion of the meeting; the MOA itself is referenced in the board resolution as the Memorandum of Agreement between the City School District of Albany and the Albany Public School Teachers Association, dated 06/04/2025.

The district and union said elements of the IBB process will be used in other collaborative initiatives, including work on teacher evaluation (APPR) and other labor‑management committees.","The Board of Education unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement with the Albany Public School Teachers Association dated June 4, 2025, following an interest‑based bargaining process the district and union described as collaborative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews revised code of conduct and new smartphone policy; administration to draft regulations

Board adopts routine consent agenda including personnel and contracts

Albany board reallocates year‑end fund balance, amends tax‑certiorari and capital reserves

Albany board adopts ex‑officio student board member policy; student selection to begin this year

Albany board approves on‑time teachers’ contract after interest‑based bargaining