The SMART goal setting process allows for organizations to collaboratively work together to make valued improvements designed to benefit their stakeholders. Within our School District, our focus should be on improving the environment in which students can succeed, including, but not limited to academic programs, facilities, classroom space, and extra-curricular, music and athletic opportunities.
SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound.
Proposed Goals for the 2023/2024 School Year
Creation of a Plan of Action for Electrification of Bus Fleet
Under current legislation, the Goshen Central School District would be required to begin purchasing all electric buses beginning in 2027, with the requirement that the entire fleet be converted by 2035.
While this seems like an expansive timeline, it is not. On average the District currently keeps our 66 passenger buses for approximately 15 years. The average cost of a 66 passenger bus is approximately $109,000. We currently operate a fleet of 90 buses.
The current legislation would drastically change our procurement practices that we use to purchase vehicles for our fleet. Currently, electric vehicles are substantially higher in costs compared to gas or diesel powered buses.
Grant opportunities that are available to public school districts have changed from being needs based to “first come, first serve” basis. The District has currently been in consultation with Leonard Bus Sales regarding the purchase of one electric bus to be paid for from the 2023-2024 school year budget. Leonard has further notified the District that manufacturers and sales departments are now handling the rebate program for districts that are purchasing electric vehicles. In brief, they offer a rebate to those districts that are able to decommission and scrap an unused bus of similar size that is either gas or diesel powered. In addition, this legislation would require a substantial upgrade and/or modification to our electrical infrastructure and parking yard. The needed upgrades to install charging stations would be significant and take up a large amount of space. The District has asked LAN Associates to determine whether or not the current electrical infrastructure within the bus garage can handle one charging station for one 66 passenger electric bus.
It is recommended that the Board and the District develop a course of action that establishes a plan to meet this mandate. The planning process should look at procurement, facilities, training, staffing and sustainability. We are closely monitoring any changes to the legislation and the interpretation of “zero emissions vehicles.” Additionally, the legislation was slightly modified this year so that beginning in 2027, districts will not be required to report their fleet information. This plan should be adaptable in the case that the legislation is amended so that the District would be positioned to easily transition to be in compliance with the mandate.
Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2024
Adoption of Policy Audit for Board of Education Policy and Creation of Administrative Regulations
The Board of Education for the Goshen Central School District utilizes the NYSSBA Policy Services. This service allows for the Board of Education to receive regular updates on recommended changes that the Board of Education could consider for updates to their local policy. Board of Education policy establishes governance for the District.
Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, the district stopped using any updates from the Erie One Policy Service. The Board of Education further commenced a review of the entire policy manual beginning with the District Code of Conduct. The new Code of Conduct was adopted and rollout implementation began in September 2023. District Administration also has begun formal, collaborative training on restorative practices included in the new Code of Conduct.
NYSSBA Policy Services has also provided the District with a complete crosswalk of the former policy manual to the new policy manual. The Board of Education Policy Committee has been meeting to continue to move forward with the adoption of the new policies and have them properly made available to stakeholders.
Currently, the District does not have an Administrative Regulations Manual. After the policy audit is completed, the Board should consider supporting the creation of an Administrative Regulations Manual. Such a document is created for the district and building administrators to understand the guidelines for implementing Board of Education policy.
Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2024
Creation of a District Facilities Plan
The Goshen Central School District will benefit from the creation of a facilities plan. Our District Architect, LAN Associates, has completed a Building Condition Survey (BCS) required by the State of New York. This report provides valuable feedback to district administration and to the Board of Education regarding the current status and condition of District facilities.
Additionally, the District convened a Community Facilities Advisory Committee. A group of volunteer community and staff members came together to tour and understand the District’s needs in regards to critical needs of the District’s buildings, heating and cooling infrastructure, and outdoor fields. The committee provided a public report and comprehensive amount of feedback to the District to assist in prioritizing the work to be completed throughout the District’s buildings.
Currently, the District has an operating budget of roughly $4,289,300 which is directed for the operations and maintenance of our facilities and grounds throughout the year. In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the budget included a transfer to capital of $1,190,400 to be used for smaller maintenance projects in the district. These monies can be accrued over time to fund projects that may be anticipated to cost in excess of $1,000,000.
Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2024