The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

School News

35th Anniversary Of The Funtastic Fair!

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St. Mary’s Academy’s annual Funtastic Fair on June 11 and 12 this year marks the fair’s 35th anniversary. Along with the traditional games and attractions, there will be rides for young and old from Amyland Amusements, our own version of the popular game show “Minute to Win It” and inside spaces for vendors.
The fair runs on Friday from 5 to 10 pm and on Saturday from noon to 10 pm. Call the school at 686-4314 ext. 202 for more information on vendor spaces or if you would like to sponsor a booth in memory of a loved one or your SMA graduating class.

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

HFCS BOE Candidates

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by Bea Peterson
The four Hoosick Falls Central School Board candidates answered questions in an almost empty cafeteria Wednesday evening, May 12. The School PTA annually sponsors a Meet the Candidates night, moderated by Irene Wynnyczuk of the League of Women Voters. The four candidates, vying for three seats, are Richard Ferrannini. Gregory Laurin, Donald Skott and Dwain Wilwol. Skott and Wilwol currently serve on the Board and are seeking re-election. Laurin has served on the Board many times over the years. Ferrannini is running for the first time.
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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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Letter To The Editor – Trying To Resolve Issues

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To the editor:
I am writing this as a community member. I have great concerns regarding articles that have been presented and printed in the Eastwick Press. Depending on whom is hosting the conversation, the information that is given to the Community has been fiction and or the truth distorted. Famous one-liners that say nothing however can mean a lot. When I was sworn in as a Board Member, Bev Stewart and Tom Morelli requested that we be honest and open with the community. I was and am – for the more the community is involved in the School decisions the better our School District is and can become.
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