Petition to CACSD Board of Education in Opposition of Grade Reconfiguration for 26-27 School Year
Decision Makers:
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District Board of Education
Petition Summary and Background:
The Coxsackie-Athens School District Interim Superintendent has proposed grade reconfiguration for the two elementary schools as follows: All kindergarten students will be housed at Edward J. Arthur Elementary School. All fourth-grade students will attend Coxsackie Elementary School. Elementary Special Ed sessions will be reconfigured and split between both EJA and CE.
The undersigned parents, taxpayers, residents, and stakeholders are concerned not only about the proposed reconfiguration itself, but also about the process by which this significant change has been advanced.
To date, community members have not been provided with evidence of:
• A comprehensive educational impact study evaluating the effects on student achievement, social-emotional development, school climate, and student transitions;
• A transportation impact analysis evaluating travel times, routing changes, and associated costs;
• A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis demonstrating measurable financial savings or operational efficiencies;
• A long-term strategic plan showing how the reconfiguration supports the district’s future educational and financial goals particularly due to CACSD being identified by the state as a district “in need of improvement” regarding educational performance;
• Meaningful public engagement with parents, staff, taxpayers, municipal leaders, and community stakeholders prior to the announcement of the change;
• Clear documentation demonstrating that the proposed reconfiguration has followed all required Board of Education actions, public decision-making processes, district policies, and applicable New York State Education Department requirements governing significant changes to school organization and student assignment.
District leadership has stated that one of the primary benefits of reconfiguration is improved communication and collaboration among teachers by bringing entire grade levels together in a single building. However, there are concerns raised that the proposed special education programming appears to move in the opposite direction by separating student populations and instructional programs that are currently housed together. This raises important questions regarding educational consistency, staff collaboration, continuity of services, and the impact of additional transitions on students with disabilities and other specialized learning needs.
Students receiving special education services often benefit from stability, consistency, and carefully planned transitions. Yet no publicly available study or analysis has been presented demonstrating how these changes will affect special education students, their families, or the services they receive.
Additionally, many families are concerned that this proposal was announced with limited time for students, parents, and staff to prepare for a substantial change scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The proposal was announced by an interim administration that will conclude its service to the district on June 30, 2026, before the long-term effects of these changes can be evaluated.
Because this proposal affects student placement, educational continuity, transportation, family involvement, childcare plans, special education services, community identity, and the overall structure of the elementary schools, we believe any such change should be supported by transparent analysis, broad community input, and clear Board of Education oversight.
Action Petitioned For:
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our Board of Education to pause grade reconfiguration for the elementary schools of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District for the 2026-2027 school year and to provide a process by which the families, community members, municipalities and interested stakeholders can work together to identify potential solutions to address the fiscal and educational concerns within the district.
Respectfully,
The Parents, Taxpayers, Residents, and Supporters of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2026
18 Comments
I am opposed to any changes to the current configuration of the elementary schools for the 2026-2027 school. I firmly believe that community engagement is an essential component for potential grade changes and the careful consideration must be given to the students that will be directly impacted by any changes. This drastic change will negatively effect the students and families who want to remain in EJA.
As a former EJA student, I am concerned that this proposal would create additional transitions for young children during critical developmental years without publicly available evidence that the benefits outweigh the disruption. This change impacts students ability to build lasting relationships and develop a strong sense of belonging. I believe a change of this magnitude should be supported by transparent data, thorough analysis, and meaningful community input before implementation.
We were not shown the problem, alternatives and how this solution was chosen as the best alternative. Trust must be earned and with student achievement dropping over the years, how can we trust this solution is best for our kids.
I want my child to stay in my community
Proper procedure was not followed, fourth grade should not be moved to Coxsackie, all kindergarten should not be at EJA.
Because I care
Signing this because it is truly stunning how the leadership of this district has run the entire thing into the ground. The test scores, the budget, all embarrassing and unacceptable.
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Petition to CACSD Board of Education in Opposition of Grade Reconfiguration for 26-27 School Year
Decision Makers:
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District Board of Education
Petition Summary and Background:
The Coxsackie-Athens School District Interim Superintendent has proposed grade reconfiguration for the two elementary schools as follows: All kindergarten students will be housed at Edward J. Arthur Elementary School. All fourth-grade students will attend Coxsackie Elementary School. Elementary Special Ed sessions will be reconfigured and split between both EJA and CE.
The undersigned parents, taxpayers, residents, and stakeholders are concerned not only about the proposed reconfiguration itself, but also about the process by which this significant change has been advanced.
To date, community members have not been provided with evidence of:
• A comprehensive educational impact study evaluating the effects on student achievement, social-emotional development, school climate, and student transitions;
• A transportation impact analysis evaluating travel times, routing changes, and associated costs;
• A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis demonstrating measurable financial savings or operational efficiencies;
• A long-term strategic plan showing how the reconfiguration supports the district’s future educational and financial goals particularly due to CACSD being identified by the state as a district “in need of improvement” regarding educational performance;
• Meaningful public engagement with parents, staff, taxpayers, municipal leaders, and community stakeholders prior to the announcement of the change;
• Clear documentation demonstrating that the proposed reconfiguration has followed all required Board of Education actions, public decision-making processes, district policies, and applicable New York State Education Department requirements governing significant changes to school organization and student assignment.
District leadership has stated that one of the primary benefits of reconfiguration is improved communication and collaboration among teachers by bringing entire grade levels together in a single building. However, there are concerns raised that the proposed special education programming appears to move in the opposite direction by separating student populations and instructional programs that are currently housed together. This raises important questions regarding educational consistency, staff collaboration, continuity of services, and the impact of additional transitions on students with disabilities and other specialized learning needs.
Students receiving special education services often benefit from stability, consistency, and carefully planned transitions. Yet no publicly available study or analysis has been presented demonstrating how these changes will affect special education students, their families, or the services they receive.
Additionally, many families are concerned that this proposal was announced with limited time for students, parents, and staff to prepare for a substantial change scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The proposal was announced by an interim administration that will conclude its service to the district on June 30, 2026, before the long-term effects of these changes can be evaluated.
Because this proposal affects student placement, educational continuity, transportation, family involvement, childcare plans, special education services, community identity, and the overall structure of the elementary schools, we believe any such change should be supported by transparent analysis, broad community input, and clear Board of Education oversight.
Action Petitioned For:
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our Board of Education to pause grade reconfiguration for the elementary schools of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District for the 2026-2027 school year and to provide a process by which the families, community members, municipalities and interested stakeholders can work together to identify potential solutions to address the fiscal and educational concerns within the district.
Respectfully,
The Parents, Taxpayers, Residents, and Supporters of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2026
18 Comments
4th grade students are too young to have to travel to school when there is a perfectly good school in Athens. This school was originally built with the intention of K through six, then it was K through five now it’s K through four and if this change goes through, it’ll be pre-k to 3. Let’s try a new tactic. Let’s put the students first and politics, district desires, and the Almighty dollar second.
I am opposed to any changes to the current configuration of the elementary schools for the 2026-2027 school. I firmly believe that community engagement is an essential component for potential grade changes and the careful consideration must be given to the students that will be directly impacted by any changes. This drastic change will negatively effect the students and families who want to remain in EJA.
As a former EJA student, I am concerned that this proposal would create additional transitions for young children during critical developmental years without publicly available evidence that the benefits outweigh the disruption. This change impacts students ability to build lasting relationships and develop a strong sense of belonging. I believe a change of this magnitude should be supported by transparent data, thorough analysis, and meaningful community input before implementation.
We were not shown the problem, alternatives and how this solution was chosen as the best alternative. Trust must be earned and with student achievement dropping over the years, how can we trust this solution is best for our kids.
I want my child to stay in my community
Proper procedure was not followed, fourth grade should not be moved to Coxsackie, all kindergarten should not be at EJA.
Because I care
Signing this because it is truly stunning how the leadership of this district has run the entire thing into the ground. The test scores, the budget, all embarrassing and unacceptable.
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4th grade students are too young to have to travel to school when there is a perfectly good school in Athens. This school was originally built with the intention of K through six, then it was K through five now it’s K through four and if this change goes through, it’ll be pre-k to 3. Let’s try a new tactic. Let’s put the students first and politics, district desires, and the Almighty dollar second.