District Contract for Excellence approved

In the Spring 2007, the District was notified that it qualified for an additional $1,840,520 in state aid for the Contract for Excellence program.  This additional state aid was included as revenue in the 2007-2008 School District Budget that was presented to the public and approved by the voters in May 2007.  The additional funds, under the Contract for Excellence, must be used to enhance District programs.  There are certain categories for which the money may be used.  In Lansingburgh the additional funding is used to reduce class size by hiring additional teachers of English, mathematics, social studies, science and foreign language at the middle school and high school.   At the middle school additional reading and mathematics intervention services teachers were also hired.  Two instructional coordinators, one at the high school and one at the middle school, were added.  An additional first grade classroom was created at each elementary school.  The total number of additional staff is 17.  Materials and supplies needed to support the additional teachers and classrooms was also budgeted from the additional state aid.  Double periods of English and social studies classes at the high school, continuation of summer school programs and full day kindergarten at the elementary schools is also being supported through Contract for Excellence funds.  The additional revenue is also helping to support increased professional development for District faculty. 

In total, $1, 021,436 is being used for Class Size Reduction, $266,380 for Time on Task programs, $358,954 on Teacher Quality Initiatives and $193,750 to maintain a full day kindergarten program.  The amount of funds designated for each school is $346,445 at Rensselaer Park Elementary School, $346,445 at Turnpike Elementary School, $545,130 at Knickerbacker Middle School and $602,500 at Lansingburgh High School.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the District’s use of Contract for Excellence funds for the 2007-2008 school year, please contact George Goodwin, Superintendent of Schools at (518)233-6850.  The District is anticipating Contract for Excellence funds in the 2008-2009 school year.  Plans for utilizing the funds will be shared at public Board of Education workshops and at the annual budget meeting in May 2008.  Dates, times and locations of these forums for expressing suggestions, concerns or asking questions will be available on the District website as budget planning for next school year proceeds.