HUDSON—Grading policy, substitute pay, and school reopening plans dominated the Hudson City School District (HCSD) Board of Education meeting August 16.

The Policy Committee is writing a new grading policy in line with the district’s goal to be a more “restorative” district, with language “supportive of teachers,” explained Board member Lucinda Segar.

“What about supportive of students and parents?” suggested Board member Selha Graham. Helping children with remote learning really brought parents into the lessons, she said. Read more…

CHATHAM – The Chatham Town Board held its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 19 under the pavilion at Crellin Park. At the meeting board members approved a survey on the Comprehensive Plan update, heard an update on the Albany Turnpike Bridge traffic light, and listened to residents about their issues with a new project being reviewed by the Planning Board off state Route 66 in the town just outside the Village of Chatham.

Art Omi, a not-for-profit arts center with a 120-acre sculpture and architecture park and gallery in Town of Ghent, has an application in front of the Town of Chatham’s Planning Board “for Site Plan Review and Special Use Permit” for Art Omi Pavilions. According to the May minutes of the Planning Board, Francis Greenburger, founder and chairman of Art Omi Inc., said this had been a “longtime idea” for the organization’s world-renowned artists program.

At the Chatham site, artists would influence their own “pavilion design.” The plan is for about 12 pavilions, which would range from 2,500 to 5,700 square feet. “The entire project is designed so the affected acreage maintains its natural state as much as possible,” according to the Planning Board’s minutes. Read more…