Board of Education Goals
2026-2027 Goals
BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTS 2026 S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
What is a SMART Goal?
A SMART goal is a clear plan that helps turn an idea into action. It answers five simple questions:
- Specific: What exactly are we trying to accomplish?
- Measurable: How will we know we’ve made progress or succeeded?
- Achievable: Is the goal realistic with the time and resources we have?
- Relevant: Why does this goal matter, and how does it support our overall priorities?
- Time-Bound: When do we expect to complete it?
1. Policy Committee Goal
The Board of Education will create a Policy Review Committee this September of 2026 in an effort to assist the BOE with the modernization and reorganization of the school districts’ policies. The Board of Education will choose the members of this committee through an application process and careful review. This committee will include stakeholders from the district's administrative team, the teachers bargaining unit, community/parents members, and the Board of Education policy committee members. The committee will meet twice a month in a hybrid virtual/in-person meetings model, (so it can be reviewed and watched by anyone). The specific agenda items and tasks will be outlined in advance of each meeting and distributed to the committee members in a minimum of 48 hours advance prior to the meeting. The meetings will be held in such a manner that the other Board members, who are not part of this specific policy committee, will receive a report of the minutes after each meeting to observe progress to help address any unforeseen setbacks and support as needed.
Objectives of Goal:
- Modernize Policy Numeracy in Accordance with NYSSBA Recommendations: The policy committee will adapt the current SG District Policies numbering to resemble standardized practice, and updated to be in accordance with NYSBBA recommendations. This will involve annotating the old policy numbers inside the new numbers to not create extra work for the Staff. (Ongoing - The progress of this will be continuous throughout the year and addressed at all policy committee and BOE meetings) (COMPLETED by 06/30/2027)
- Public Access to All Current Policies: Ensuring all legally required policies are current and publically available on the district website. The new implementation of BoardDocs will help with this immensely. -(In-process currently, COMPLETED BY 11/16/2026)
- Encourage Collaborative Policy Development Among all District Partners: The development of the policy committee will help with this objective. The idea is to create a space for all parties to work collaboratively together to make every school in our district a place where all stakeholders are heard and have the ability to participate in processes that allow everyone to assist with developing our guidelines for success. -(Policy Committee and BOE meetings, bi-monthly, Committee ESTABLISHED BY 9/28/2026)
- Create Consistency Across the District Through Policy Alignment and Additions: The Policy committee will work together to assist with defining organizational structures within the district through policy development. The intention is to assist with eliminating any inconsistencies within the current policies, and to make any additions and modifications needed to reflect the current student and educational systems needs. -(Policy Committee Objective- Consistent work and progress reporting Bi-weekly throughout the 26-27 school year).
- Initial New Policy Initiatives In-progress or to be Started by committee ASAP: The Committee will develop a policy that requires the district to provide a clear organizational chart for the district chain of command as a whole and within each building independently. A visual map will be provided for reference to all of the district's staff, families, and teachers in an effort to provide clearer access to the correct building/district personnel with greater ease and efficiency. This should outline appropriate first contact and identify the appropriate next steps if needed. (COMPLETED BY 12/14/2026)
S.M.A.R.T. Breakdown:
- Specific: The main focus of this goal is for the BOE to create a committee to join the current BOE policy committee members in an effort to modernize and review our district's current policies. This committee will work in coordination with the other BOE members and district administration to improve and reorganize the school districts’ policies.
- Measurable: The BOE will monitor progress and achievement toward the goal through:
- Policy Committee applications distributed and reviewed, ASAP
- Establishment of the Policy Committee members by 9/28
- First meeting occurring on Sep 30, and bi-weekly thereafter
- Review and monthly progress monitoring of policy numeracy objective
- Review of district website for public access to current policies conducted by 11/16/26
- Review of district resources for available organizational charts showing district-wide and by building chain of command conducted by 12/14/2026
- Achievable: The BOE will work in coordination with the policy committee members to review and update the SG school districts’ current policies. The timeframe is achievable as long as all stakeholders complete necessary work and respect the timeline and tasks delegated through the committee. The BOE policy committee members will assist the group by facilitating the timeline and monitoring the achievement of the objectives through progress monitoring data and the support of the other BOE members.
- Relevant: This goal supports the Board of Education’s long-term efforts of completing the transition over to BoardDocs and re-organizing our school districts’ policies. A policy committee consisting of various community stakeholders and BOE members will work diligently together to review all of our school district policies. They will discuss and update our current policies when needed, and establish new policies when the situation arises. District policies more reflective of our current educational environment will be beneficial for all SG students and staff.
- Time-Bound: Each objective above has the targeted date of completion for each corresponding task
2. Alternate Pathways Goal
By June 2027, the BOE will work collaboratively with district administration, district staff, students, families, and community partners, to connect students to opportunities and information that increase their awareness and accessibility to alternative career paths and vocational opportunities during their secondary education and beyond.
Objectives of Goal:
- Trade & Career Fair: The BOE will coordinate and facilitate a Trade and Career Fair for our Secondary Youth. In coordination with district administration, the BOE will invite various trade employers and local businesses interested in sharing their career opportunities and experiences with our secondary youth. (Planning has begun - January 2027 - Tentative Date for Trade & Career fair)
- Increase/Expand Relationships with Local, County, and State-wide Resources: The BOE will continue to work with district administration and community partners to bring advantageous resources to Scotia-Glenville students. The intention is to increase community partnerships to bring additional services and support that can help our students expand their knowledge of options and help them find the best pathway for them. Opportunities with Schenectady CONNECTS are currently being explored. (Ongoing - Meetings Established by 10/19/2026)
- “Map of Opportunities”: The BOE will work in coordination with secondary administration and counselors to create an alternate pathway “map of opportunities” and information pamphlet to help guide student passion and search for purpose. This document will assist students with realizing their career possibilities and various pathways available to them. (Completed by 12/5/2026)
S.M.A.R.T. Breakdown:
- Specific: Increase student access to information and opportunities outside of the traditional college-career path opportunities. The BOE will help to introduce the district's students to various trade and career paths available to them in our local community. The BOE will work with secondary staff to create informational resources available digitally and in the counseling office.
- Measurable: The BOE will monitor progress and achievement toward the goal through:
- Facilitation and success of the Trade & Career Fair - Monitored though survey results and progress monitor tools (Pre-post Rubric)
- Development and distribution of Informational pamphlet and “Map of Opportunities” documents for student daily access
- Meet with community Partners and explore future relationships that could advance our students' opportunities
- Achievable: The BOE will continue to work in coordination with district administration, secondary staff, and community partners, to help introduce our students to all opportunities and pathways available to them during and post graduation. The timeframe is achievable with cooperative and consistent communication from all necessary parties.
- Relevant: This goal supports the Board of Education’s steadfast commitment to increasing beneficial opportunities for student growth and achievement. Increasing student awareness of additional career pathways and opportunities, in an effort to help them find their purpose, supports the current SG district initiative of increasing the graduation rate and ensuring a meaningful education experience for ALL students served.
- Time-Bound: Each objective above has the targeted date of completion for each corresponding task
3. Communication Goal 2.0
By July 2027, the SGCSD Board of Education will strategically strengthen Board communication, build trust, and expand meaningful engagement with students, families, staff, and key community stakeholders by identifying opportunities for two-way communication, leveraging existing district and community structures, and creating sustainable avenues for stakeholder voice and feedback.
This effort will include:
- Strengthen stakeholder engagement by continuing established Board communication practices, including the quarterly newsletter and post-meeting summaries. Identify key district and community stakeholder groups and utilize existing structures to create meaningful opportunities for two-way communication. Develop appropriate mechanisms for stakeholders to provide feedback, questions, and topics of interest to the Board, while clearly communicating appropriate avenues for matters that fall outside the Board’s jurisdiction. Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts to inform future practices.
- Expand student understanding and voice by building partnerships with building leaders and student leadership groups at all grade levels to help students understand the Board’s identity, purpose, and jurisdiction, as well as appropriate ways to engage with the Board. Empower Student Board Members to facilitate age-appropriate opportunities for student engagement and bring student perspectives and feedback to the Board.
- Implement these communication and engagement strategies with no additional financial impact by maximizing existing district resources, communication platforms, and community partnerships. Complete the identified actions by July 2027 and establish sustainable practices that can support ongoing stakeholder engagement.
Objectives of Goal:
- Board Communication Continuity: Strengthen stakeholder engagement by continuing established Board communication practices, including the quarterly newsletter and post-meeting summaries.
- Two-Way Engagement Channels: Identify key district and community stakeholder groups and utilize existing structures to create meaningful opportunities for two-way communication, establishing appropriate feedback mechanisms.
- Student Partnerships Across All Grade Levels: Expand student understanding and voice by building partnerships with building leaders, student leadership groups, IOPAL, and student councils to help students understand the Board's identity and jurisdiction.
- Empower Student Representatives: Empower Student Board Members to facilitate age-appropriate opportunities for student engagement and bring student perspectives and feedback directly to the Board.
- Resource Optimization & Practice Sustainability: Implement all communication and engagement strategies with zero additional financial impact by maximizing existing resources, completing identified actions by July 2027, and establishing sustainable ongoing practices.
S.M.A.R.T. Breakdown:
- Specific: Strengthen Board communication and engagement with students, families, staff, and key community stakeholders by identifying priority stakeholder groups, expanding two-way communication, continuing established communication practices, expanding student engagement across all grade levels, and creating appropriate avenues for stakeholder voice and feedback.
- Measurable:
- Continue the quarterly Board newsletter and post-meeting summaries
- Develop a districtwide inventory of key stakeholder groups and identify existing structures through which the Board can engage with them
- Establish meaningful engagement opportunities with identified stakeholder groups
- Establish at least one additional mechanism for stakeholders to provide feedback, questions, and topics of interest to the Board
- Expand student engagement opportunities to include both secondary and elementary students, including IOPAL and student councils
- Empower Student Board Members to facilitate student engagement and bring student perspectives and feedback to the Board
- Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of Board communication and engagement efforts and use stakeholder feedback to inform future practices
- Achievable: Leverage existing district resources, Board members, Student Board Members, building leaders, student leadership groups, communication platforms, community organizations, and existing district and community partnerships. The goal is designed to build upon communication and engagement practices established during the previous school year without requiring additional financial resources.
- Relevant: This goal supports the Board’s responsibility to promote transparency, strengthen trust, improve understanding of the Board’s role, expand student voice, and create meaningful opportunities for students, families, staff, and community stakeholders to engage with the Board. It builds upon the successful communication efforts established during the previous school year while addressing the need for more intentional stakeholder identification and two-way engagement.
- Time-Bound: Complete the identified actions and evaluate the effectiveness of the Board’s communication and engagement efforts by June 2027, with progress monitored throughout the 2026-27 school year. Key milestones will include stakeholder identification in the fall, expanded student engagement throughout the school year, implementation of additional two-way communication opportunities, and evaluation of stakeholder feedback in the spring.