Comments from residents who served on or valued the Budget Advisory Committee moved the school board to postpone its plans to suspend the volunteer group.

Jianwei Zhang, a Guilderland parent who works at the University at Albany, introduced inquiry-based science instruction to the elementary school where students learn by collaboration.

A quick-thinking student helped when his school bus driver fell ill and the bus meandered off the road.

“I’m happy to have other people face the difficult decisions we face,” said school board member Christopher McManus of the unpleasant choices that must be faced to close budget gaps.

BERNE — On Jan. 12, Mackenzie Dunnells, who is 12, swallowed bleach from a bottle in her home in Berne; she wanted to die.

“I got this overwhelming feeling, thinking about all that has been done for five years at school and no one listened to me,” said Mackenzie.

Five candidates vying for two vacant school board seats participated in Monday's forum, featuring literal round-table discussions on their hopes and dreams for the school district.

Guilderland School Board members said they would create new policies after to transgender students said school should be a safe place.

The governor's  proposed aid for next year is less than the $23.6 million Guilderland received in the 2008-09 school years.

The passion of high school students here describing their tech-savvy creative projects to the school board Tuesday night unfolded into the measured words of school leaders mapping a future for the school that would lead to more college credits.

Vasilios Lefkaditis, the new supervisor, ran his first meeting with a more intense style than his predecessor and offered personal help or connections to solve problems.