November 3, 2026 - Board Brief

The November 3, 2026 Board of Education meeting opened with the annual Audit Presentation from the District’s independent auditors, PKF O’Connor Davies. The District received a clean (unmodified) opinion, with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls noted. General Fund revenues came in about $1 million above budget and expenditures about $1.66 million under budget, so the District used $851,124 of fund balance rather than the $3.6 million budgeted, ending the year with a total fund balance of $13.38 million. 📊💰

Dr. Melissa Szymanski, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, along with Building Principals Mr. Andy Clayman, Hastings High School, Ms. Lina Carolini-Cannavò, Farragut Middle School, and Ms. Amy Cazes, Hillside Elementary School, presented the Comprehensive State of the District Report, Part I: Academic Data. 📚 Overall, Hastings continues to show strong academic performance, with growth by the time students leave each building. Highlights included five-year highs on the NYS assessments in grades 7 and 8 in both ELA and math, and robust Regents passing rates. Next steps include a focus on elementary ELA, grade 6 math, moving more students from proficiency to mastery, and closing gaps among student groups. 📈

In the interest of time, Dr. McKersie did not present his Superintendent’s Report, which is part of the public record. Highlights include Hillside and Farragut teachers attending the 3rd Annual Literacy Symposium, Hillside Kindergarten’s Fall in Love with Reading event, the Hastings Business Club raising nearly $8,000 for Stop the Clot, and the PTSA Halloween Fun Run raising $12,025 for grants supporting all three schools. He encourages the community to read the full Superintendent’s Report for more updates. 🏫

Maureen Caraballo, Business Official, shared an update on how Hastings may benefit from the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit beginning in 2027, including whether an Education Foundation could take part. 🧾 She also recommended referring several new and expanded property tax exemptions, including an expanded Senior Citizens Exemption, to the Finance Committee, with recommendations returning to the Board in January. Ms. Caraballo noted early budget pressures as well, including possible out-of-district transportation increases of 15% to 40% and rising technology costs. 💰

Dr. Szymanski shared a quick update to the presentation schedule. On November 17, there will be a presentation on Class Size, Data/Information & Scheduling Processes. Dr. Szymanski will also present a Curriculum Initiative Update, inclusive of Hillside and Middle School Literacy inquiry work and K-12 mathematics committee work. The SEL and Panorama Survey Report will move to December 2. 🗓️

Gen Holder, Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services, shared that all special education teachers and service providers now have Virtru accounts to meet Education Law 2-d and FERPA requirements. 🔒 Emails containing personally identifiable information, along with reports such as evaluations, will now be sent securely through Virtru, which is why some families have begun receiving these messages. Ms. Holder also shared that special education teachers are taking part in professional development in The Writing Revolution, a research-based writing intervention (formerly the Hochman Method) focused on explicit writing instruction, with more information to come in her formal report at the next meeting. ✍️

📆 The next Board of Education Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hillside Multi-Purpose Room.

🎥 Missed the November 3 meeting? Watch the full recording, including all presentations and discussions, HERE.