Hearing on proposed charter-school expansion planned

The City School District of Albany Board of Education will hold a public hearing Nov. 15 to solicit comments from the community in connection with Green Tech Charter High School's proposal to expand to add grades 6-8.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at New Scotland Elementary School, located at 369 New Scotland Ave. The board's regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m.

Green Tech currently is authorized by the State University of New York to serve up to 360 students in grades 9-12. Green Tech is proposing to add up to 40 students per grade in grades 6-8, beginning with sixth grade in the 2019-20 school year. The school has proposed adding seventh grade the following year and eighth grade in 2021-22.

Any individual wishing to have comments submitted as part of the public hearing record must submit such comments in writing to the hearing facilitator at the time of the public hearing. No comments, written or otherwise, shall be considered or accepted after the public hearing is closed. Speakers will be permitted three minutes for comments.

The mission of the City School District of Albanyis to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves about 9,500 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.