July 1, 2008 - The official annexation of Maplewood as North Colonie Central School District’s seventh elementary school became a reality on July 1.

“We have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition and warm welcome for our new students and staff when they return in September,” said Superintendent Randy Ehrenberg.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the official, binding annexation referendum in October after more than a year of examination by a feasibility study committee representing both school districts, as well as the completion of a feasibility study report.

The committee examined all aspects of the annexation including the significant financial incentives available to North Colonie and the challenges facing Maplewood.

With the referendum’s approval by a majority of residents in both communities, students in grades K-6 will remain at Maplewood this fall, while their seventh and eighth grade classmates will move on to Shaker Junior High School.

Former Maplewood School superintendent Jerome Steele will become principal of Maplewood Elementary School.

Maplewood will remain open as an elementary school for at least the next seven-10 years, as assured by the North Colonie Board of Education, with the goal of increasing student enrollment in the near future. Beyond that, the future of Maplewood will be determined by the North Colonie Board of Education.

The annexation provides significant financial incentives to the expanded district including:

• $30 million in Operating Incentive Aid over the next 14 years.

• A 20-percent increase in state Building Aid, from 48 to 68 percent, for approved building projects.

These additional funds will allow the district to stabilize future tax rates and make needed purchases and improvements, such as upgrades to instructional computers and other equipment. The district will also be able to maintain and expand instructional programs using these additional resources.