RIDER REPORT
Superintendent's Corner
In November’s Rider Report, a central theme is the district’s commitment to creating safe, welcoming and future-ready environments for both students and staff. Supporting this mission, the district is proposing a Capital Project, which will go to a community vote on December 16, 2025. Our first article in this edition provides a comprehensive Capital Project FAQ to help the community understand the scope, timeline and impact of the project.
We also highlight the ways we support students and their families every day through programs like Ichabod Cares, our district-wide safety net program and the Daily Meals Program, which provides breakfast and lunch to every student daily at no cost. Together, these initiatives ensure all students have access to essential resources both at school and at home.
Building strong learning environments also means hiring dedicated, talented staff. In Chapter 2 of our New Hire Spotlight, you’ll meet some of our newest team members and learn about their roles, families, hobbies and passions.
Finally, student voice is key to everything we do. Through the Student Representative on the Board of Education, students have a seat at the table to share their perspective. Later in this edition, you’ll hear directly from our new student rep about why this role matters.
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged. Your support helps ensure Ichabod Crane remains safe, welcoming and future-ready for all students and staff.
Articles in this edition:
Capital Project FAQ
Ichabod Cares & Daily Meals: Supporting Our Students and Families
New Hire Spotlight: Chapter 2
HS Senior Denise Miranda Named BOE Student Rep
Preparing Riders for the Future
What’s Next in November
#ICYMI
Capital Project December 2025 FAQ
Our school district is committed to providing safe, functional and future-ready learning environments for all students. To maintain and improve our facilities, Ichabod Crane is proposing a Capital Project that addresses aging infrastructure, enhances student well-being and supports long-term academic and community goals. The project goes to a vote on December 16.
We know you may have questions about what a Capital Project entails, how it will be funded and what impact it could have on students, staff and the community.
This FAQ provides clear answers to help you understand the scope, impact and timeline of the proposed project, as well as important information about the upcoming community vote.
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What is a Capital Project?
Answer: A capital project is like a home improvement project, but for a school district. Just like a home, school buildings and grounds require regular maintenance and care to function as intended and to keep pace with the district’s academic goals and plans. Over time, the cost of addressing normal wear and tear can exceed what the annual operating budget can cover.
Under New York State law, all public schools must complete a Building Condition Survey every five years. We completed our last Building Condition Survey in 2023 in preparation for this project.
This survey reviews all occupied school buildings and grounds throughout the district, identifies potential improvements and prioritizes needs. The results are submitted to the NYS Education Department and then studied by the district and Board of Education.
In regard to this proposed Capital Project, beginning in fall 2024, district leaders reached out to families, faculty, staff and students to help shape the scope of the project. This included surveys completed by more than 110 community members, meetings with over 30 faculty and staff members from across the district and feedback from students across K-12.
Capital improvement projects allow school districts to access state aid and complete larger-scale facility upgrades that go beyond what the regular budget can support.
For this project, Ichabod Crane is eligible for 73.5% reimbursement on all eligible expenses, helping to reduce the local cost while addressing facility needs.
This means that for every dollar spent, we will receive 73.5 cents back as New York State Building Aid.
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Do Ichabod Crane district residents vote on the Capital Project?
Answer: Yes. The Board of Education voted unanimously in October to approve two propositions that will appear on the ballot during the community vote on December 16. Eligible registered voters living in the district will have the opportunity to vote on both propositions, outlined below.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium.
Residents can also vote by absentee and early mail ballots.
Applications available at:
or contact District Clerk Mindy Potts: 518-758-7575 ext. 3001 | mpotts@ichabodcrane.org
Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk:
- At least seven (7) days before the Capital Project Vote if the ballot will be mailed to the voter
- By December 15, 2025 if the application is delivered in person to the District Clerk at Ichabod Crane’s Central Office
Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than
5:00 p.m. on December 16, 2025.
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What does the proposed Capital Project include?
Answer: The finalized Capital Project plan is divided into two propositions.
Proposition 1 includes all infrastructure improvements and renovations at the Primary School, Middle School, High School and Bus Garage, as well as the replacement of the Main Playfield with natural grass and the replacement of the running track. The total cost of Proposition 1 is $31,281,651.
Proposition 2 provides the additional $2,018,270 in funding to replace the Main Playfield with synthetic turf instead of natural grass. Proposition 2 can only be approved if Proposition 1 passes.
At the Primary School, planned improvements include installing air conditioning in every classroom, renovating the kitchen and upgrading playground areas.
At the Middle School, the project includes creating a new Engineering Technology Lab equipped for wood and metal fabrication and computer-assisted design, as well as new 3D printing, CNC engravers and expanded storage. Renovations will also update Music, Art and World Language classrooms and overhaul the Main Office and Counseling/Psychology spaces. Additionally, the upgrades include renovating the locker rooms and adding a new multipurpose PE room accessible to both students and community programs.
At the High School, the plan includes a kitchen renovation, replacement of windows in the 100 and 200 wings and replacement of doors in the 200 wing.
At the Bus Garage, the project will replace metal siding, windows, exterior doors and bus lifts, as well as renovate the bathroom facilities.
A key priority of this project is supporting student well-being through improvements to Physical Education and Athletics. Central to this effort is the replacement of the Main Playfield and Running Track, which both have reached the end of its lifespans.
The field and track serve as athletics facilities and host milestone events such as High School Graduation, Middle School 8th-Grade Moving Up ceremonies and various community gatherings.
Two replacement options are being considered: natural grass or synthetic turf. Proposition 1 includes funding for a natural grass field, while Proposition 2 provides the additional funding needed to install synthetic turf. Proposition 2 can only pass if Proposition 1 passes.
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What is the cost of the proposed Capital Project?
Answer: The total estimated cost for both Propositions 1 and 2 is $33,299,921.
Proposition 1 includes all infrastructure improvements and renovations at the Primary School, Middle School, High School and Bus Garage, as well as the replacement of the Running Track and Main Playfield with natural grass. The total cost of Proposition 1 is $31,281,651.
Proposition 2 provides an additional $2,018,270 in funding to replace the Main Playfield with synthetic turf instead of natural grass. Proposition 2 can only be approved if Proposition 1 passes.
We recognize the financial challenges faced by many of our staff, students, families and community members.
That’s why the district has worked closely with its financial advisors at BPD, Inc. to develop a financing plan that maximizes New York State Building Aid (73.5%), aligns with retiring debt and utilizes existing district capital reserves.
This approach is designed to minimize the local tax impact while still addressing facility needs. For every dollar spent on eligible improvements, approximately 73.5 cents will be reimbursed to the district through New York State Building Aid.
In addition, the district plans to use $300,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund.
By combining state aid and reserve funds, we are able to reduce the cost of borrowing and deliver meaningful savings to taxpayers.
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How much more will district residents pay in taxes if the project is approved?
Answer: The estimated tax impact for a home with a full value of $300,000 from 2028 to 2036 is as follows:
Proposition 1: Additional $30-$42/year ($2.50-$3.50/month)
Proposition 2: Additional $6-$8/year ($0.50-$0.67/month)
Combined Total: Additional $36-50/year ($3.00-$4.17/month)
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Who will benefit from the Capital Project?
Answer: The proposed Capital Project would benefit students, staff and the community as a whole, with students seeing the greatest impact.
The plan addresses aging infrastructure, supports future-ready instruction and creates spaces that enhance student well-being.
Additionally, the proposed Capital Project provides benefits for the broader Ichabod Crane community.
The linked architectural design highlights the plans for the complete overhaul of the Middle School locker rooms, along with a series of other Physical Education improvements that began in 2018.
This includes upgrades to provide direct access to the exterior, a large lobby and vestibule, concession stand and increased athletic and PE storage. The reconfiguration of this space also allows us to create a new dedicated adaptive PE space, a multipurpose room for small and large instruction, community usage and Adult Education classes.
Proposition 1 also replaces the Running Track, which surrounds our Main Playfield. The current track surface is in need of significant repairs. This space serves as a practice area for our athletic teams, an instructional space for physical education and other classes, as well as a community hub regularly used by outside athletic clubs and local residents for exercise.
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Why is now a good time for this project?
Answer: Approving the proposed improvement plan at this time will increase the likelihood of the work being completed as cost-effectively as possible while addressing the district’s growing facility needs.
Our school facilities are aging and this project is carefully designed to meet urgent needs, support the district’s long-term goals and minimize the tax impact on residents. The timing takes into account key factors such as retiring debt and available reserves – because when it comes to capital planning, timing matters.
Delaying the proposed project risks needing to make repairs and improvements on an emergency basis, which could strain future general operating budgets and increase project costs.
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Can Ichabod Crane CSD complete capital construction work as part of the annual school budget?
Answer: No. The annual school budget only covers basic maintenance and routine repairs – and does not include funding for larger capital improvements. However, New York State offers Building Aid to cover a significant portion of eligible project costs for voter and NYS Education Department approved capital projects. For Ichabod Crane, the state will cover approximately 73.5% of eligible project expenses.
Capital Projects planned out well in advance provide the most value and are the most
fiscally responsible approach to maintaining our facilities.
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What happens if the Capital Project is voted down?
Answer: Without a voter-approved Capital Project, the district would not be eligible for New York State Building Aid and infrastructure issues would need to be addressed using the district’s general fund. When a Capital Project does happen, taxes will need to increase more because debt levels were not kept stable.
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If the proposal is rejected, can the funds be used for other purposes, such as hiring staff or enhancing academic programs?
Answer: No – Capital project funds are specifically limited to facility improvements and cannot be redirected for other uses, such as hiring staff or academic programming. Proposed improvement plans must be approved by district voters and the New York State Education Department before the funds can be utilized. In contrast, staff salaries and academic programs are accounted for in the yearly general operating budget.
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If the project is approved, when will the work be started and completed?
Answer: If approved by voters on December 16, 2025, here is an estimated timeline moving forward:
January - September 2026: Design & Preparation of Construction Documents
September 2026 - March 2027: SED Plan Review & Permitting Process
April - November 2027: Construction Contract Bidding & Award Process
July 2027 - December 2028: Construction
January - March 2029: Move-in & Occupancy and Construction Closeout
For more information, please visit our Capital Project page on our website.
We are also hosting our last Community Forum on December 3, starting at 6 p.m. in the Middle School cafeteria.
Ichabod Cares & Daily Meals: Supporting Our Students and Families
At Ichabod Crane CSD, we are proud to offer a network of safety net programs alongside our Daily Meals Program, which provides breakfast and lunch to every student at no cost. These programs ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals and essential resources, both at school and at home.
Our district-wide safety net program, Ichabod Cares, supports students and families in a variety of ways. One key initiative is the weekly distribution of food to dozens of students and their families, helping to provide access to meals over the weekends when school meals aren’t available.
BackPack Programs – Primary & Middle Schools
Staff at the Primary and Middle Schools coordinate BackPack programs in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. These programs provide child-friendly, shelf-stable and easy-to-eat food every week. Bags are discreetly packed and distributed to students on Fridays, with staff coordinating donations and financial support to sustain the program.
Ichabod’s Table – High School
At the High School, Ichabod’s Table provides students with an array of food items, including non-perishable, fresh, frozen and refrigerated options. The program is run by the National Honor Society, supported by donations and the Regional Food Bank’s School Pantry Program.
High School's Ichabod’s Closet & Middle School Resources
High School Librarian Jennifer Two-Axe oversees Ichabod’s Closet, which provides clothing, shoes, coats and toiletries to our 9-12 students. The Middle School also offers Take-What-You-Need Bins and a Middle School Closet, where students can access essential items such as clothing and toiletries.
Daily Meals Program
In addition, Ichabod Crane CSD participates in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, a federally-assisted initiative that provides two meals a day to all students K-12 at no cost to families, regardless of economic status.
Every meal meets strict federal nutrition guidelines, meaning that our students have access to healthy and balanced options every day. Click here to learn more about our Meals Program and view daily menu options.
Local Food Pantries & Support Services:
Salvation Army – Hudson Soup Kitchen/Hudson Friendly Kitchen
Columbia County Food Pantries & Resources (compiled by the Regional Food Bank)
Columbia and Greene County Food Pantries (compiled by Columbia County)
For information about our safety net programs or help accessing food, housing or other resources, contact your school’s Main Office:
Primary School: 518-758-7575 ext. 6002
Middle School: 518-758-7575 ext. 5002
High School: 518-758-7575 ext. 4002
New Hire Spotlight: Chapter 2
Each month over the next several months, our New Hire Spotlight series will introduce staff members who have recently joined our district.
This month, we continue with Chapter 2, so keep reading to meet this talented group and stay tuned for more chapters in the months ahead.
Cynthia Desposito is a Middle School Teaching Assistant (TA). She started at Ichabod during the 2024-25 school year. Before coming to the district, she was a stay-at-home parent to her daughter, who is a 3rd grader at the Primary School. Ms. Desposito is an Ichabod Crane alum who loves teaching at the same school where she grew up and learned as a student. She lives with her 8-year-old daughter and fiance. Fun fact: Our family has 18 pets not including our chickens that we have as well!
Emily Kline is a Primary School Teaching Assistant who joined Ichabod Crane in the 2024-25 school year. She currently works in a 3rd-grade classroom. After spending 17 years as a clinical dietician in acute care, Ms. Kline returned to her alma mater, excited to work alongside a talented team of educators, helping to support children as they navigate the world. She lives with her husband and two sons. Fun Fact: I love to play outdoors and travel the world. I have visited 17 countries and hope to explore many more!
Susan Nichols joined Ichabod Crane in January 2025 as a teacher in the High School Life Skills Classroom. Before coming to our district, she taught in the Green Island School District, bringing with more than two decades of experience and a true passion for teaching. She is married and has two stepchildren, five wonderful grandchildren and her dog. Fun fact: In my free time, I love spending time with my family, cooking, watching my grandchildren play sports and relaxing at the beach.
Jennifer Allard became part of the High School staff in spring 2025 as a Discovering Computer Science teacher for grades 9 and 10. After a wonderful decade at Shaker Middle School, she came to Ichabod to give back to her community by fostering students’ confidence and creativity through basic programming skills and digital literacy. She believes every student can learn to code – “It’s like giving them a superpower for the future!” Fun Fact: When I’m not in the classroom, I’m the Boys Cross Country coach and in my free time, I enjoy baking, running and getting lost in a good book.
We hope you enjoyed meeting the talented educators featured in Chapter 2 of our New Hire Spotlight series! Each month, we’ll continue to introduce more Ichabod Crane staffers, sharing their stories, passions and fun facts.
ICYMI: click here to read Chapter 1. Stay tuned for upcoming chapters – you won’t want to miss getting to know the rest of our amazing staff!
HS Senior Denise Miranda Named BOE Student Rep
High School Senior Denise Miranda has been selected to serve as the Student Representative on the Board of Education for the 2025-26 school year.
Denise first learned about the Student Representative role while performing the alma mater with the High School chorus at a Board of Education meeting. Following that, High School Principal Craig Shull invited her to discuss the opportunity to serve as Student Representative – a role she ultimately accepted.
She was sworn in as the Student Representative at the board’s September meeting. In her role, Denise’s primary responsibility is to represent the student body by collecting feedback from students across the district and sharing their perspectives with the Board of Education members. She organizes this information into a report, which is both read aloud at meetings and formally submitted to the board.
She believes that student voices are essential for creating a safe, supportive and effective learning environment.
“The school as an entity is dependent on children and young adults and it’s supposed to ensure proper education to help us move forward as adults. Feedback from students, big or small, is vital and through the Student Representative, these voices can make a real impact.”
Denise also emphasized the importance of challenging outdated perceptions of teenagers.
“A student voice not only shows how a school supports its children but also gives young people a seat at the table for serious matters. It helps dispel the notion that teenagers don’t know what they’re talking about. My advice: speak out, share your concerns and offer solutions. Strive to go above and beyond so future young voices don’t have to. Age shouldn’t be a deciding factor – merit should.”
Preparing Riders for the Future
In October, Ichabod Crane students had exciting opportunities to explore their futures and begin thinking about life after graduation. Both Middle and High School students participated in events designed to inform, inspire and empower them to make thoughtful decisions about their next steps.
Our 8th grade students attended Career Jam Explore at Hudson Valley Community College, joining hundreds of their peers from across the region. Career Jam, founded in 2017, has reached more than 22,000 students in the Capital Region, helping them match their skills and interests to potential career paths.
The event focused on hands-on activities and demonstrations across a wide range of industries, including education, health care, human services, public safety, agriculture, energy and natural resources, construction, advanced manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, tourism, arts and entertainment, design, financial services, marketing, digital technology, management and entrepreneurship.
At Ichabod Crane High School, approximately 125 students attended the 2025 College and Military Fair in the gymnasium. The event featured representatives from 30 colleges and military branches, all eager to meet with students and discuss opportunities after graduation. The fair provided a valuable chance for students to ask questions, explore options and begin envisioning their life after Ichabod Crane.
“Experiences like these give Ichabod Crane students the knowledge, skills and inspiration they need to make informed decisions about their futures – preparing today’s Riders to thrive tomorrow,” said Superintendent Marie Digirolamo.
What's Next in November
November 4: No school for students — Superintendent's Conference Day (District offices remain open)
November 4: Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., High School Library
November 10: No school for students – Superintendent’s Conference Day (District offices remain open)
November 11: All Schools and District Offices closed — Veterans Day
November 14: Go-Home Early Drill – All Schools will dismiss 15 minutes early, as required by the New York State Education Department
November 15: Ichabod Crane Community Fall Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ichabod Crane High School
November 20: Early Dismissal/Half Days for Grades K-8
November 21: Early Dismissal/Half Day for Grades K-8
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Recess – All Schools Closed, District Offices closed Nov. 27 and 28.
Note: dates, times and locations are subject to change.
#ICYMI
🎉 Ichabod Crane was named #11 out of the Top 25 Best School Districts in the Capital Region!
The list was compiled by News 10 using data from Niche’s 2026 Best Schools and Districts in America rankings. Niche considers student, alumni and family feedback, as well as school data and U.S. Department of Education statistics.
This recognition highlights the dedication of our entire Rider community – students, families, staff and district residents – who make Ichabod Crane such a special place to learn and grow. Go Riders!
🌼 Students across all Ichabod Crane buildings honored Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of those who have passed. 🌼
Our students created ofrendas – colorful altars adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls & cherished mementos – to remember loved ones and share their stories. The holiday blends ancient Aztec traditions of honoring ancestors with the Spanish All Souls' Day on Nov. 1 and 2.
It was inspiring to see students connect with history, culture and family memories in such a creative and impactful way! ✨
🎶 Once again, the Storycrafters visited the Primary School, delivering a lively, interactive performance for our K-3 students. The talented duo, Jeri and Barry, blended music, movement and storytelling to bring their captivating tales to life. 🍁
✨📸 High School Junior Brooklyn Nabozny did such an AMAZING job capturing the energy and fun of the High School Pep Rally during Spirit Week!
Want to see more? Check out the full album of his amazing photos on Facebook!
ALSO — check out the Spirit Week Recap Reel (video) below!
😀 Congratulations to the Riders of the Month at the Middle School and High School — and the Primary Schoolers who received Good Character Trait Awards for Acceptance! 🌟
#ICYMI 😀😀😀 We have a new monthly publication inspired by the Rider Report's #ICYMI section.
Our new e-newsletter — #ICYMI — comes out mid-month as its own dedicated publication.
This publication is one more way to stay connected to all the amazing moments happening throughout our district. Since not everyone uses social media, we want to make sure no one misses out.
Each month, #ICYMI will arrive right in your inbox — giving you a front-row seat to the Rider experience and ensuring you’re always in the loop (no #FOMO here! 😄).
Here are the first two editions:
