June 2024

We are pleased to share the latest issue of Onteora Central School District's "Board Briefs," a monthly update from the Board of Education. There are many wonderful things happening in our district that wouldn't be possible without engagement from our community. Thank you for your interest in our schools. We hope you find this information useful.

School Budget & Board Election Update

Presenting our community with a budget that meets the needs of both the students and taxpayers is one of the most critical responsibilities of our School Board. For the 13th year in a row, a budget was presented that was at or below the New York State Tax Levy limit calculation. 

The Board would like to thank everyone who participated in the vote on May 21. We appreciate the overwhelming approval of the school budget and the support of Proposition 2, which will allow us to use $1.95 million saved in two voter-approved Capital Reserve Funds to strategically update aging facilities without increasing the tax levy. 

Please also join us in congratulating Cindy Bishop, who was re-elected to the Board of Education, and our newly elected Board member Rick Knutsen. The entire Board is committed to continuing its work to make Onteora Central School District the best it can be for our students and our community. We know there is still much work to be done, especially in regards to advocating on the state level for fair funding of education. Although the District was given a reprieve from the originally proposed drastic State Aid cuts this year, Governor Kathy Hochul has already initiated plans to re-evaluate the formula for future years, so Onteora still faces a future with less State assistance and needs to prepare accordingly. We are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to advocate on behalf of our students and taxpayers. 

Another Impressive Level of Scholarship Awards  

Thanks to the impressive and overwhelming generosity of the Onteora community, more than $450,000 in scholarships were awarded to Class of 2024 graduates for their achievements in a wide range of areas, including music, art, business, sportsmanship, citizenship, community service, leadership, extracurricular activities, character, and academic excellence. Congratulations to the recipients and thank you to our amazing community donors!

Looking Ahead

June has been filled with opportunities to both celebrate and reflect upon the past school year and the future before us. Our students have worked so hard this year, both academically and personally, and we are so proud of them. Our youngest students from Phoenicia Elementary have also bravely embraced the challenge of transitioning to Bennett Elementary beginning next school year, and our current Grade 5 students are ready to move to an expanded Grades 6-8 Middle School. These are significant changes, and our students and staff have met them with strength and resiliency.

Our community has also played a significant role in moving the District into a new future. We appreciate the participation and input of the community members who joined us at the four community activities this spring and collectively shared their visions for a more optimized Onteora, within the centralized campus configuration. A future issue of Board Briefs will capture the outcome of these exercises. We look forward to being a part of the journey as the Onteora School community continues to move forward and become the best it can be!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

On June 4, the Board passed a resolution supporting the District’s efforts to create and maintain an empathetic, inclusive, and equitable school culture and community that respects, values, and celebrates all identities, including race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity, cognitive ability, and physical ability. This resolution was an important step in the work ahead to ensure that Onteora CSD cultivates an environment where every student and staff member feels welcomed, valued, and safe being their true selves and is able to fully participate in school every day.

The Board states its rejection of all forms of individual and systemic racism and discrimination and is committed to working towards eliminating inequities and ensuring every student and employee is held to high expectations. We believe all students should have access to the challenging, engaging, culturally responsive learning opportunities they need to thrive in college, careers, and community life. It is our vision that every student develops the skills and understands the value of collaborating and communicating with, respecting, and learning from individuals different from themselves. This reflects the spirit of the District’s mission and vision. 

Farewell to Phoenicia Elementary School 

The Phoenicia Farewell event held on June 8 was such a heartfelt and touching tribute to the school’s 60-year history. The Board thanks everyone involved in creating this special tribute and also appreciates all who attended. The presence of so many community members—including alumni, retirees, current and past staff members, students (including some from the original kindergarten class of 1964), and families, as well as former Onteora staff and administrators—was astounding. 

There were many hugs, some tears, and plenty of laughter, as many friends, former co-workers, teachers, and their former students reunited and re-lived cherished memories on their old “stomping grounds.” What was truly evident was that the “Phoenicia family” has grown far and wide over the years, and will surely remain an important part of Onteora Central School District’s history.