The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education used its January 28 regular meeting to surface the district's push for state help on a PILOT arrangement tied to the Micron project, alongside a regional look at how smaller districts share resources. Superintendent Terry Ward told the board and the public that he and Associate Superintendent for Business Services Don Keegan had met with Assembly member Al Stirpe, Senator Pam Hunter, Assembly member Chris Ryan and Regent Patrick Mannion. According to the minutes, the group discussed the district's unique financial needs and requested legislative support, particularly with respect to PILOT agreements. Ward said the discussion also covered the Micron project and the challenges associated with its PILOT agreement, which he said no other district will face. He said the district fully supports Micron and recognizes the opportunities it brings, but that there are important considerations that must be addressed and advocated for. Ward also reported attending the Syracuse University groundbreaking event along with Jason Clark and Nick Scholz, noting that only two school districts were invited to the event -- North Syracuse and Liverpool -- and said it was an honor to be included. He said he continues to emphasize that North Syracuse is the only school district in which the entire facility is located. Separately, Ward said he met with Micron earlier that day about the possibility of hosting a student event focused on artificial intelligence during spring break within the district; he said the event would be open to North Syracuse students first and, if space allows, then to students from other districts, with further details to come. In the OCM BOCES board report, Robert Crabtree said Ward meets monthly with other superintendents on regionalization -- districts sharing resources and services. Crabtree said some districts serve as few as 400 students across grades K-12 with limited staff and facilities, citing the Cincinnatus and Marathon districts, each of which operates a single building and may have only one physics teacher; if that teacher left, he said, students there would lose access to opportunities available in larger districts. Crabtree said Ward is working with a group of superintendents on ways districts can support one another, and referenced a strategic plan being developed in North Syracuse by Dr. Cook and his team that has not yet been finalized but will be shared with the board once complete. Preliminary priorities include staff recruitment and retention, staff appreciation and professional growth, plus student attendance, the community schools framework and the Portrait of a Graduate initiative. Crabtree also said BOCES and several local districts, including North Syracuse and Baldwinsville, are beginning to develop long-range capital plans, made possible through recent voter support. The board received the final report of the District Utilization Study, a review of how the district uses its facilities and resources involving parents, staff, students and community members, presented by consultant Deb Ayers along with Jennifer Heckthorn and John Wisniewski. Don Keegan presented information on the Governor's Budget Proposal and Preliminary Tax Cap Calculation. In board comments, Josh Ludden noted the Governor's budget has been released and said the Foundation Aid outlook appears positive, while emphasizing the need to keep advocating for the funding the district needs. On business items, the board approved revised 2024-2025 non-resident tuition rates -- used to bill other districts whose students are placed in North Syracuse through Family Court or the Department of Social Services -- at $7,316 for full day K-6, $9,150 for full day 7-12, $44,123 for special education K-6 and $45,957 for special education 7-12, carried with eight yes votes. The board also declared certain surplus equipment non-marketable for disposal and marketable surplus for sale through an online auction by Auctions International, and approved the classification and placement of disabled students certified by the district's Committee on Special Education, each by eight yes votes. The board adopted a resolution appointing Sophie Hogan to a four-year probationary term as an ENL Teacher, effective January 16, 2026 through January 15, 2030, at an annual salary of $72,021, amending a prior long-term substitute appointment following her issuance of New York State certification. Personnel A and Personnel B items, covering additional instructional and support-staff appointments, athletics and co-curricular assignments, leaves, returns from leave, resignations and retirements, were each approved with eight yes votes. Michael Mirizio acknowledged the retirements of Pam Mertens, School Secretary II, with 26.1 years of service; Ralph Walker, Automotive Mechanic, with 35.2 years of service; and Kimberly Crouse, Teaching Assistant, with 23 years of service, and thanked them for their work. The board also declared February 6, 2026 as School and ADAPEP Counselor Appreciation Day, on a motion carried with six yes votes. No comments were offered during the public comment period. The board approved the minutes of its January 12 meeting and adjourned at 7:04 p.m., both by eight yes votes.