The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin School Dist.

Leadership Advisory Committee Takes Action

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by Phillip Zema
Shortly after the BOE meeting adjourned last Wednesdsay, Tom Morelli, began organizing the leadership advisory committee. Because a second budget proposal is due May 26, the Committee’s first priority is to develop a more viable budget. But a number of peripheral objectives are also on the committee’s agenda, such as establishing a long term financial plan, evaluating the attractiveness of keeping Grafton open and searching for a permanent superintendant. While developing an amended budget under this time constraint seemed formidable, many were optimistic. As Morgan Hartman, a local resident, put it, “If people have the will to succeed, they can achieve a great deal.”
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BCS Budget Rejected by Voters – Stewart, Nash And Webster Win BOE Seats

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by Phillip Zema
Berlin’s 2010-2011 budget was rejected by a vote of 710 to 542. Options to purchase another school bus and spend $100,000 in renovations failed by votes of 620-599 and 608-561, respectively. In what was one of the most heated elections in recent memory, incumbent Beverly Stewart, John Nash and Alan Webster Jr. were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education. Stewart overcame Sara Feathers by a vote of 641-609; Nash defeated Richard Beckwith 641-595 and Webster’s 710 votes topped incumbent Jeffrey Paine’s 549. [Read more…] about BCS Budget Rejected by Voters – Stewart, Nash And Webster Win BOE Seats

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

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Get ready, get set, go to kindergarten parent information night on May 25 from 6 to 7 pm at the Berlin Elementary School.
Curious? Excited? Questions? Meet the Kindergarten Screening Team. Get an idea of a day in the life of our kindergarten students. Visit Berlin Elementary School and get to know staff from food service, transportation and health services and meet the kindergarten teachers and the administration.
Come prepared to enjoy an evening of information and planning for kindergarten 2010. Child care will be provided by our PTO. Please call 658-2127 if you plan to attend.

Tempers Flare At BCS Hearing

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by Phillip Zema
The contention surrounding Berlin’s budget process was overwhelmingly evident at Tuesday’s Budget Hearing. Initially, Sandra Brown, Berlin’s Business Manager, provided a budget overview: in short, the budget evolved over three drafts. The tax levy was originally stated at 5.88%, but by the time the final version was drafted this number declined to 1.74%. The projected budget will run at $18,757, 983, which is a $476,267 (or 2.61%) increase over last year’s budget. Brown’s presentation included a brief discussion on the projected savings from closing Grafton Elementary. Reportedly, if kept open, local taxes would increase by 18%.Consolidation, it was claimed, would save the District roughly $625,000.
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Berlin Central School Board Of Education Candidate Profiles

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by Phillip Zema

Richard Beckwith
Richard Beckwith previously served on the BOE for nine years. He is the current President of Hilltown Pork, a local meat packing business. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degrees from Xavier and Harvard. [Read more…] about Berlin Central School Board Of Education Candidate Profiles

Letter To The Editor – The BCS Budget Process

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Dear Editor,
As the School District developed a 2010-2011 budget for the Berlin School District, the following information is offered for public review.  The Board of Education took a vote at the March 9 and 16 meetings to close Grafton Elementary and supply modular units at the Berlin Elementary School for four classrooms.
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