by Phillip Zema and Kieron Kramer
The amended Berlin Central School District budget passed by a vote of 603-252. The main feature of the new budget was its 0% tax levy. This figure was realized chiefly because no modular units will be added to Berlin Elementary. While the Proposition to purchase a 58 passenger handicap accessible bus passed (469 – 379), the Proposition to approve a $100k capital improvement project failed (436-415).
The budget passed, but there was still plenty of tumult at the BOE meeting. After a 1½ hour executive session, the BOE approved a resolution that featured the resignation of Superintendant of Schools Charlotte Gregory. Her term, accordingly, will end on June 30.
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School News
JLS Foundation Names Five Finalists From HFCS Class Of 2011
The JLS Foundation announced five finalists for the Foundation’s scholarship from the Class of 2011 at Hoosick Falls Central School. The finalists are Kendra Andrew, Mike Brewster, David Ciuk, James Lynch and Brennen O’Donnell.
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BCS Spring Sports Award Ceremony
by Erin Hogan
The Spring Sports Awards Ceremony occurred on June 10 at 6 pm at the High School in Cherry Plain. At this ceremony students who participate in baseball, softball and track are honored. Since this ceremony is at the end of the year though, there are also special awards given out to outstanding athletes from the whole year.
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All-Star Photo Exhibit At Darrow School
The beauty of the Mount Lebanon landscape and the historic Shaker buildings that grace it have long provided inspiration for photographers. In June and July, Darrow School will be the site of the exclusive exhibit “Visions of Mount Lebanon,” a fund-raiser honoring the Shaker Museum and Library’s sixtieth anniversary. The exhibit, located in the School’s extraordinary Joline Arts Center, is open to the public daily between June 27 and July 3, from 12 to 5 pm. Admission is free.
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HFCS Softball Goes To State Final Four
HFCS Softball Goes To State Final Four After Beating Ticonderoga 5-2 in Plattsburgh on Wednesday evening.
BCS Budget Hearing On Amended Budget
by Phillip Zema
As indicated by Tuesday’s budget hearing, not everyone is on board with the amended budget. In May the budget, which called for a 1.74% tax levy increase, was voted down. On May 28, an amended budget was adopted by the BOE, and it will go before the voters on June 15. The amended budget stands at $18,281,716, which is the exact level as the 2009-2010 budget. So if it passes, there will be no tax levy increase. Furthermore, while the elementary schools will be consolidated, no modular classrooms will be added at Berlin Elementary, cutting roughly $400k from the first budget. To create additional classroom space at Berlin, the District’s business and administrative offices will be sent to the Jr./Sr. High School in Cherry Plain.
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Results Of The New Lebanon School District Election
by Phillip Zema
The New Lebanon School budget passed 279-125. Incumbents JoAnn Gavrity (300 votes) and Raymond Sowalski (289) were re-elected to three year terms. BOE member Susan Downy-Luhrmann did not run again, and her seat was taken by David Kroboth, who received 320 votes. [Read more…] about Results Of The New Lebanon School District Election
Helen Hemendinger Honored With PTA Founders’ Day Award
by Bea Peterson
Each year in observance of Founders’ Day, PTAs across the country pay tribute to their founders and past PTA leaders by recognizing someone who carries on the tradition of making an outstanding contribution to the well being of children and youth. This year the Hoosick Falls Central School PTA honored retiring AIS math teacher Helen Hemendinger, who exemplifies the tradition of those founders.
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Amended BCS Budget Features 0% Tax Increase
by Phillip Zema
A semblance of hope was carried into Friday’s pivotal budget workshop. While a contingency budget seemed inevitable, the Leadership Advisory Committee (LAC) – a conglomeration of teachers, BOE members and District residents – recommended a number of ways to amend the budget. For over a week the group met, and, despite disagreeing over several fundamental issues, like the economic, community and educational merits of keeping Grafton open, they devised strategies to cut costs without compromising the District’s educational needs. They did so in a forum based on mutual respect, transparency and hard work.
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PTA Founders’ Day Award Winner
To honor the memory and keep alive the spirit which motivated the action of the PTA founders, and in recognition of all of Hoosick Falls’ volunteers, the HFCS PTA will be hosting a year-end thank you celebration on Monday, June 7, at 6:30 pm in the Elementary School Library. Refreshments will be served; a brief year-end business meeting will take place following the celebration. PTA members and non-members are welcome.
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