• Board Member Biographies

• Board of Education Goals 2007-08

General Information

     Board of Education members serve for three-year terms. Regular elections for two or three seats are held each year on the second Tuesday in May, the same date residents vote on the coming year’s school budget. New board terms begin on July 1.

     Any U.S. citizen who is a resident of Fort Plain Central School District for 30 days prior to the vote may run for a seat on the board. For information on how to be placed on the ballot, contact the district clerk.  Regular board meetings are held in the Harry Hoag  Elementary School conference room.  The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.

Minutes of April Board of Education meeting pdf

Minutes of May Board of Education meetings pdf

Minutes of June 18 Board of Education meeting pdf

School Board Members:

    DAVID FREDERICKS, board president     

    MARY BETH HUDYNCIA,  board first vice president, earned an associate’s degree in science from Herkimer County Community College, and both a bachelor of science degree and master of science degree from the College of St Rose. She and her husband Richard have one daughter, Liza. A primary special education teacher for 18 years, Hudyncia has been on the board of education since 2002. While on the board, she has served on the Youth Recreation Committee, Support Services Committee, and Policy Committee. She also is a 5th grade catechist for St. James Catholic Church.

     AMY F. SAMMONS,  board second vice president, grew up in Clarksville, N.Y. A graduate of Bethlehem Central High School and LaSell University in Boston, Mass., Sammons moved to Fort Plain in 1993, was married in 1995 and has three children. Her family owns and operates a dairy farm with a home delivery service. She is also a team manager with Tastefully Simple of Alexandria, Minn. Sammons was elected to the board in 2006. “I am dedicated to building and nurturing a strong foundation between, home, school and the community,” she says.

     JAMI STEVENS, a graduate of Johnstown High School, has been a member of the school board since 2006. She is married to Christopher Stevens. The couple has two children, a daughter Mackenzie and a son Grant. Stevens is owner /operator of Subway of Johnstown. She is a member of the PBIS parent team and church secretary of the Freysbush United Methodist Church.

    RUSSELL F. VANCE is a graduate of Danville High School and Ohio State University. A tele-communications technician and trustee of the village of Nelliston, Vance and his wife Deborah have two children, Travis and Tiffany. Vance has been on the board since 2003.

     ANN F. JENKS  was raised in Frankfort and attended Frankfort-Schuyler Central School.  In 1969 she married Bob Jenks and has lived in Fort Plain since 1971.  Their  Rob and his wife Darcie  have  two children, Gregory and Gabriella. Their daughter Donata and her husband Joel Oldick  have a daughter, Emma.  Jenks retired from  FPCS  in 2006 after spending 23 years as a teacher's aide. During her time at FP, she served as president and vice president of the School Related Personnel Association and the Sports Booster Club. She was also  advisor for the Classes  of 1988 and 1996 and was the Prom Art Advisor from 1987-1996.  Her favorite pasttimes are spending time with her family and friends, camping, reading, and watching the New York Yankees. Jenks was elected to the board in May of this year.   

    TODD McFEE

( Biographical information provided by board members)

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Board of Education Goals for 2007-08

     INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES - The Curriculum Committee will review the district’s Early Childhood Literacy Program in conjunction with student performance on state assessments in English Language Arts for grades 3-11. Other academic goals include: maintaining professional development opportunities for teachers; incorporate various technologies into existing curriculum; evaluate the cost efficiency of the student-teacher ratio; maximize instructional time; and develop strategies to reduce the dropout rate.
     The board also has a goal of increasing awareness and education about teen pregnancy and alcohol and drug use, and to promote increased student and staff activity along with good eating habits.

     RECOGNITION – The board will continue to recognize the outstanding efforts of students, staff members, and parents in various programs and activities. The board will invite individuals to board meetings to receive certificates of achievement for their accomplishments.

     FACILITIES PLANNING - The school board will finalize a proposed capital project and submit it to the public for referendum. If approved by voters, the project will improve safety and make the district’s facilities more energy efficient. The largest component of the project will be to demolish the obsolete bus garage and construct a new facility.
     The board will also explore expansion of shared services with nearby school districts, especially Canajoharie and St. Johnsville. Fort Plain currently has transportation and food services agreements with St. Johnsville and some shared sports programs with Canajoharie.

     TRANSPORTATION goals include continuation of the district’s five-year fleet replacement plan and maintaining a fleet which is a minimum of 90% defect free based upon state standards. Also, the board will monitor the existing transportation contract with St. Johnsville Central School in hopes of increasing the level of shared transportation. The head bus driver will report to the board semi-annually and work with the district’s business manger regarding the purchase of vehicles and equipment.

     POLICY MANUAL - A policy subcommittee will review district policies to ensure that the district remains in compliance with federal state, and education department requirements. This committee will meet monthly throughout the year and report to the full board. The review will be undertaken in conjunction with school attorneys and Erie 1 BOCES.

     BUDGET and COMMUNICATIONS – The board will seek to maximize the district’s potential to obtain grant funding and state aid and continue to make sure maximum Medicaid reimbursement is obtained. Courses on school district finances will be available to board members. An audit committee which has community representation will continue. All district personnel will be asked to help communicate information to the public through press releases, the district newsletter, and the district’s website.
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