April 1, 2010 - The North Colonie Board of Education was presented with a
proposal on March 31 that would increase the walk zones in the district, and in turn save North Colonie nearly $23,000.

Blue Creek Elementary, Forts Ferry Elementary, Latham Ridge Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Southgate Elementary and Shaker Junior and Senior High School all have neighborhoods where students are ineligible for transportation because of their proximity and access to their school. For the elementary schools, the average walking distance is up to ½ mile from the school. For the Junior and Senior high school, it is up to one mile behind the campus, in the Blue Creek area. The schools that would be affected by this proposal are Shaker Junior and Senior High Schools, Blue Creek Elementary School and Latham Ridge Elementary School. To view the proposed increases in walk zones, click here.

There are a few issues in regards to the walk zones that the Board raised, including the maintenance of the proposed Blue Creek and Latham Ridge paths. The Board will be taking a tour of the paths in the coming days to examine the safety and whether or not this is a feasible solution. Accompanying them will be Director of Maintenance, Tim Bonk, Assistant Superintendent for Business Thomas Rybaltowski and Superintendent, Randy Ehrenberg.

The Board also reviewed a list of recommendations for further reductions as assembled by the North Colonie Administration. The Board will be voting on these reductions at its April 12 meeting. To view the list of recommendations for further reductions, click here.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, D. Joseph Corr presented the Board with a listing of five new programs and initiatives for the 2010-11 school year. At a time where program reductions and staffing cuts are major topics of discussion, adding new programs may not be the most popular proposal. However, Corr explained that each of the five initiatives will not come at any cost to the district, while also enhancing the learning standards of North Colonie students, better preparing them for college coursework.

“These programs do not involve any new staff and will not involve any additions to the budget,” he said.

To view the list of proposed new programs and initiatives for 2010-11, click here.

The next Budget Committee meeting will be held April 12, 7:00 p.m. at Blue Creek Elementary School. The Board is scheduled to discuss what a contingency budget would look like and will be voting on staffing, equipment, new programs and initiatives and recommendations for further reductions.