The Board approved the District Goals for 2012-2013. The five goals, which were presented in January, are as follows: Student Achievement, Culture of Caring, Teacher Effectiveness, Community Engagement, and Fiscal Responsibility. The strategic priorities associated with the goals were refined and will be available on the District website, www.ryeschools.org, in the near future.

Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez; Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist; and Assistant Superintendent for Business Mrs. Kathleen Ryan presented the Superintendent's Recommended 2013-2014 School District Budget. The presentation outlined elements impacting the budget, including enrollment and program changes as well as challenges posed by the tax levy cap and rising costs of unfunded State and Federal mandates. Also discussed were revenue sources and efforts to contain and manage costs. Budget conversations will continue at the February 26 and March 5 Board of Education Meetings; and at the March 19 meeting, an Open Topics Forum will be held during which the Board will meet with groups in the audience.  

Prior to the budget presentation, Dr. Alvarez took a moment to acknowledge State Senator George Latimer and Assemblyman Steve Otis. He thanked the two officials for their efforts in understanding the difficulties that school districts face regarding the tax levy cap and unfunded mandates. He noted that both legislators reached out to the Rye City School District and Board Members.