Hello VCSD Community,
Recently, we released our 2026 Student Profile, an annual publication that offers a snapshot of our Voorheesville graduates. Colleges, employers and families considering our community use this profile to better understand our students and the educational experience we provide.
What the profile reflects begins long before high school. We are proud of the robust K–12 curriculum we offer—one that builds over time and provides students with academic, extracurricular and individualized opportunities to learn, grow and stretch.
Supporting this experience requires careful planning. Strategic planning for our district and student programs is part of the annual budget process, which begins each fall and is a collaborative effort involving administrators, the Board of Education, student data and an understanding of current and future financial conditions.
Funding our students’ future
Our school district budget is built to sustain the programs and opportunities students rely on today, while also responsibly planning for their future learning and success.
Approximately 26–28% of school district funding comes from state and federal sources, about 2% from grants and other revenues, and the remaining balance—approximately 67%—is supported through property taxes.
Additionally, New York State has a law commonly referred to as the “2% tax cap,” but it is actually a formula based on inflation and specific exclusions set by the state. As a result, the allowable tax levy increase may be higher or lower than 2% in any given year. A district cannot exceed its calculated tax cap without approval by a supermajority of voters.
Each year, operating costs such as staff salaries and benefits, health insurance, retirement costs, transportation, utilities, supplies and inflation-related expenses continue to rise. As a result, the revenue we bring in from various sources is often “spoken for” in order to cover known expenses.
Too, many of the funds we receive annually are restricted from year to year, and state law limits how much funding can be carried forward or placed into reserves for specific purposes. This reality makes thoughtful planning and sustainability essential.
Our goal is to maintain the programs students depend on, thoughtfully expand opportunities when possible and ensure that what we offer can be sustained over time.
In this update, we are sharing highlights from across the district that reflect some of the ways we support student success every day. There are many, many more.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We could not do this important work without our community.
Sincerely,
Frank Macri
Superintendent
Highlights and important updates:
VES students build foundation for success
The new Blackbird Way program celebrates students who show safety, respect and responsibility—core values that help build the foundational skills elementary learners need to thrive. Students can earn tickets anytime they’re spotted making positive choices, and those tickets go into a monthly drawing for fun prizes like a bowling outing or extra recess for their whole class.
The Blackbird Way complements the Second Step social-emotional learning program on bullying prevention that all students, grades K-8, participate in.
Students help steer middle school culture with Vision and Voice
Each month, a dedicated group of middle schoolers meet with Interim Principal Bryan Wood and Assistant Principal Cathleen Goodwin to imagine the school culture and changes they’d like to see.
The goal is to use the students’ thoughtful input and creative ideas to ensure all of our students feel a sense of belonging and community at school.
“Our students have a valuable voice and a different perspective about what the school experience should feel like,” explained Cathleen Goodwin. “Knowing that our recommendations are being informed by what the students want and have to say is sure to help with buy-in from our students. Too, this is empowering students to develop their leadership skills, create meaningful change and make a difference in their school.”
Helping our high schoolers imagine their futures
VCSD students experience many opportunities for social-emotional growth through team-building activities and Wellness Days. Extra-curricular clubs and activities, along with the Elevating Student Voices and NYS Seal of Civic Readiness programs, provide students with additional ways to explore their full potential and step into leadership roles. Additionally, programs focused on skills-building, such as the Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Education, and career exploration, through our Career Cafes and in-the-works internship program, help students follow their interests and try possible vocations and pursuits on for size.
ParentSquare: finding the information you need
Looking for an older post in ParentSquare? Try the search bar at the top of your feed. Typing in a keyword or date into the search bar at the top of your feed can help you quickly find information you received in the past. Direct Messages can’t be searched, however, so they won’t show up in search results.
Got ParentSquare questions? We can help!
We hope our families are enjoying their experience with ParentSquare. As a reminder, our VCSD team is ready to assist with any questions you have. Please message us at parentsquarehelp@voorheesville.org.