Superintendent: UPK registration rising, 47 bus stop‑arm tickets issued; construction slowed by snow

Superintendent Doctor Hatter used his Feb. 9 report to update the community on enrollment, bus‑safety enforcement, construction and upcoming events.

UPK registration: Hatter said universal pre‑K registration is open and 112 students have enrolled so far. He said if fewer than 188 students register by March 1, the district will not need a lottery and pre‑K will be available at no cost to all eligible district residents who turn 4 on or before Dec. 1, 2026. He asked families to contact assistant registrar Patty Sauber to enroll.

Bus stop‑arm enforcement: The superintendent reported 47 valid tickets were issued for vehicles passing stopped buses with red lights and stop arms deployed; 84 incidents were referred to county police and 37 were classified as "close calls" where cameras or timing prevented ticketing. Hatter named three frequent locations (Route 202; Route 35 at Underhill Avenue) and reminded drivers that opposing lanes must stop when a bus displays red lights if the bus is stopped in the right lane.

Construction and events: Snow delays limited observable progress at the high‑school construction site, but Mohansic and Brookside projects continue with steel, piping and roofing work; the district plans a time‑lapse video to show progress. Bandapalooza will use a two‑concert system in March because the district has 595 band participants, a more than 10% year‑over‑year increase.

Hatter also introduced the superintendent student council and previewed council initiatives including student iGrants and outdoor seating proposals that students said would support mental health.