NYS Monitor

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) appointed Dr. Kimberly Young Wilkins as state monitor for academic and financial plans for the District through June 30, 2027. The Board approved her appointment 

Dr. Young Wilkins will provide oversight, guidance and technical assistance related to the educational and financial policies, practices, programs and decisions of the District, Board and superintendent. 

Monitor Duties 

• Serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the board
• Assist the board to adopt a conflict-of-interest policy that ensures board members and administrators act in the District’s best interest
• Develop a proposed financial plan and a proposed academic improvement plan for the District no later than November 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year and the four subsequent school years. 
• Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year budget, ensure that the budget is balanced and consistent with the district’s academic improvement and financial plans.
• Provide semiannual reports on the academic, fiscal and operational status of the district. 
• Assist in resolving any disputes and conflicts between the superintendent and the board and among members of the board. 
• Approve travel outside the State paid for by the district; 
• Recommend cost saving measures including, but not limited to, shared service agreements; and 
• Notify the Commissioner and board in writing regarding violations of the 
  academic improvement or financial plans.

Improvement Plans for Academics and Finances

Dr. Young Wilkins will work with the Board to develop a five-year financial plan and a five-year academic improvement plan by November 1, 2025. 

Beginning with the proposed 2026-2027 school year budget, Dr. Young Wilkins will also conduct an annual review of the budget to ensure that it is balanced and consistent with the District’s financial and academic improvement plans. 

State Reporting 

Section 215 of the Education Law provides that the Regents, or the Commissioner, or their representatives, may visit, examine into and inspect, any institution in the University of the State of New York (“University”) and any school or institution under the educational supervision of the state. Additionally, they may require, as often as desired, duly verified reports therefrom giving such information and in such form as the Regents or the Commissioner shall prescribe.

Reports to NYSED will be made semiannually throughout Dr. Young Wilkins appointment.