Author: christine.carpenter

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing on the proposed 2026-27 Budget for the Fort Plain Central School District shall be held in the District Office Conference Room of the Harry Hoag Elementary School, Fort Plain, New York, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., prevailing time. The budget will be available for review at the District Office, Fort Plain, New York, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., weekdays, during the fourteen (14) days preceding the date of the election.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual meeting of the qualified voters of the Fort Plain Central School District will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 12:00pm and 8:00pm, prevailing time, in the Library of the Harry Hoag Elementary School, Fort Plain, New York, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by machine on the following items:

2026-2027 BUDGET
To adopt the annual budget of the Fort Plain Central School District for the fiscal year 2026-27 and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be raised by taxation on the taxable property on the District.

PROPOSITION #1 – BUS PURCHASES “Shall the Board of Education of the Fort Plain Central School District be authorized to: (a) acquire three (3) school vehicles at a maximum aggregate cost not to exceed $350,000; and (b) finance such purchase by expending an amount not to exceed $350,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund?”

PROPOSITION #2 – LIBRARY TAX INCREASE “Shall that annual appropriation to support and maintain the Fort Plain Free Library be increased by $25,000 to $125,000, which sum shall be separate and apart from the Fort Plain Central School District annual school district budget and be raised annually by a tax upon the taxable property of the school district, and which appropriation shall be the annual appropriation for the library until changed by further vote of the electors of the school district, and such tax shall be levied and collected yearly as are other general taxes and such monies paid over to the trustees of the Library?”

ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBER SEATS
To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education consisting of three (3), three (3) year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2029, to succeed David Przestrzelski, Anthony Crouse, and David Briggs, whose terms expire on June 30, 2026.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s budget for the 2026-2027 school year, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Meeting except Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, at District school buildings between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time and also at said District Election. A report of tax exemptions, showing how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll or rolls used in that budgetary process is exempt from taxation, shall be annexed to the budget document.

The election and budget vote shall be by machine or early mail or absentee ballot. The hours during which the polls shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. prevailing time or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 8:00 p.m. to cast their ballots.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the District Clerk at the District Clerk’s office in Fort Plain, New York, not later than April 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters or two percent (2%) of the voters in the previous annual election of the District, whichever is greater, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. A copy of such petition may be obtained at the Office of District Clerk during regular school hours.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with §2035 and 2008 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the Fort Plain Central School District, New York on or before April 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. prevailing time; must be typed or printed in English, must be directed to the Clerk of the School District and must be signed by 25 qualified voters or five percent (5%) of the number of qualified voters who voted in the pervious annual election, whichever shall be greater; and must state the name and residence of each signer. However, the School board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that applications for early mail and absentee ballots will be obtainable and are returnable no earlier than April 20, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, from the District Clerk. Completed applications for early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, May 12, 2026; or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter, May 18, 2026. Early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026.

A list of all persons to whom early mail and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election, except weekends, up to the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge against an early mail ballot cannot be based on the reason that the voter should have obtained or applied for an absentee ballot.

The Education Law makes special provisions for absentee voting by “permanently disabled” voters of the District and any questions regarding these rights should be directed to the Clerk of the Board.

The Education Law also makes special provisions for absentee voting for “military” voters of the District. Specifically, the law provides a unique procedure for “military ballots” in school district votes. Whereas early mail and absentee ballot applications and early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail or in person, a military voter may elect to receive his/her absentee ballot application and absentee ballot by mail, email or facsimile. The military voter must, however, return his/her original military ballot application and military ballot by mail or in person. The Clerk of the Board shall transmit the military voter’s military ballot in accordance with the military voter’s preferred method of transmission not later than 25 days before the vote, April 24, 2026. The Clerk of the Board must then receive the military voter’s military ballot by mail or in person not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the qualified voters of the School District shall be entitled to vote in said annual vote and election. A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America, (2) eighteen (18) years of age or older, and (3) resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days preceding the annual vote and election. The School District may require all persons offering to vote at the budget vote and election to provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law section 2018-c. Such form may include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a redacted tax return or any identification containing the person’s physical address. Upon offer of proof of residency, the School District may also require all persons offering to vote to provide their signature, printed name and address.

Dated: March 25, 2026
Rebecca J. Smith, District Clerk
Fort Plain Central School District
Run Dates: April 3, 2026
April 15, 2026
May 5, 2026
May 15, 2026

Toppers on the Run is a new program beginning this spring.

All grade 3 – 6 students are welcome to join the fun.

This program is designed to promote students’ physical wellness, social-emotional growth and build meaningful connections for them in the school and village community.

This program will take the place of the district’s Girls on the Run club.

Through structured running practices, intentional social-emotional learning and service opportunities, students will build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

WHEN: The program will run after school from April 13 – June 3, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 – 4 p.m. Families are responsible for transportation after practice; there will be no district transportation.

WHERE: Harry Hoag Elementary School

OTHER DETAILS: A race to end the season will be held on June 6.

Register for Toppers on the Run

Families of interested students are asked to register for the program with this form by March 31. Registration is a needed step. Please complete this form even if you filled out an earlier interest survey. 

Please fill out a separate form for each child in your family that is interested in joining the program.

Questions about this fun new running program?

Learn more about the Toppers on the Run program in this information sheet or contact coaches Kristy McFee, kristy.mcfee@fortplain. org, or Karoline Hoos, karoline.hoos@fortplain.org.