Board of Education President Laura Slack announced that during the joint meeting of the Rye City School District Board of Education and the Mayor and the Council of the City of Rye held on Saturday, April 21, a joint resolution was passed demanding mandate relief.

The Board approved a gift of $4,000 from the Rye Youth Soccer Club, Inc., for Artificial Turf Field maintenance, as well as a gift of $1,000 from American Products Association, Inc., for pet related education. Mrs. Slack noted her appreciation on behalf of the Board to those who support the District, students, and programs by providing gifts throughout the year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shine presented a report to the Board, featuring recent activities, events, and achievements throughout the District. He highlighted a 10th grade essay project on humanitarian causes, for which students Peter Nolan, Gabrielle Amaturo, Stephanie Klokiw, and Sarah Schreib were named finalists. Dr. Shine also reported on a Midland third grade Spanish reading activity, the Parsons Street Players' performances of Little Shop of Horrors this past weekend, and a Walk to School Week initiative that the elementary schools are participating in. Additionally, Dr. Shine announced that the Midland School Fair will be held this Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and shared photos and a summary of the Milton School Fair, which took place last Saturday. Finally, as a reminder, Dr. Shine reported that there will be no school for elementary and middle school students on Tuesday, May 1, due to Superintendent's Conference Day, and that Friday, May 25 and Tuesday, May 29 will be school holidays as a result of unused snow/emergency days.

The Board approved the 2012-13 BOCES administrative budget of $8,893,741, of which the Rye City School District's share is $188,358.