Author: christine.carpenter

A non-binding Straw Poll Advisory Vote is scheduled for Thursday, June 4.

This vote will assess the community’s support for the proposed merger of the Fort Plain and Canajoharie districts before proceeding to the final vote.

Residents of the Fort Plain district can vote from noon – 8 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library.

Learn more about the proposed merger at the Canajoharie and Fort Plain CSD Merger Resource site. 

Absentee ballots/early voting

For an absentee ballot, residents must fill out an application. Call 518-993-4000 ext. 1000 to obtain an application.

To have a ballot mailed, the district must receive the application by 5 p.m. May 28, 2026.

To pick up a ballot in person, the application must be received no later than 3 p.m.on June 3, 2026.

All absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on June 4, 2026.

On May 15, a notice was sent home with all students about recent drinking water lead testing in the Fort Plain schools. The notice explains the testing process, what was found, and the steps being taken to keep our students and staff safe.

Proper signage has been posted indicating sinks are not for drinking water and are to be used for handwashing only.

Mitigation procedures are underway,  and the “kitchen kettle” in the JSHS, which is used infrequently, has been made inoperable pending plumbing replacements.  Retesting will be scheduled aftward.

Please contact Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan at at 518-993-4000 with any questions or concerns.

Download a printable version of the May 15 letter to families on lead testing of school drinking water.

View the certification of analysis from Fulmont Laboratory & Consultants on lead testing of school drinking water.

NOTICE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS and STAFF

Fort Plain Central School District

Lead Testing of School Drinking Water

May 15, 2026

Safe and healthy school environments can foster healthy and successful children. To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department (NYS DOH) regulations require that all public schools test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. If lead is found in any water outlet at levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter (μg/L), the NYS DOH requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.

What is “first draw” testing of school drinking water for lead?

The “on-again, off-again” nature of water use at most schools can raise lead levels in school drinking water. Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead. This is why schools are required to collect a sample after the water has been sitting in the plumbing system for a certain period of time. This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously.

What are the results of the first draw testing?

On May 12, 2026 we received results from Fulmont Laboratories, who tested 22 faucets at Harry Hoag School and 24 faucets at the Junior-Senior High School on April 26, 2026. Two faucets in each school had results exceeding 5 ppb. The Harry Hoag sinks and one of the sinks at the JSHS are being taken out of service, unless an outlet is a sink faucet needed for handwashing. In that case, a sign was posted at the outlet. One faucet at the JSHS will be taken out of service for replacement and then it will be retested.

What are the other sources of lead exposure?

Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in widespread distribution in the environment. Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing, and lead that built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing. Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics. Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead. The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood-lead levels is lead-based paint.

Additional Resources

For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact Dr. Geelan at 518-993-4000, or go to our school website: https://www.fortplain.org/district-services/health-services/

For information about lead in school drinking water, go to:

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/lead_testing_of_school_drinking_water.htm

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/LeadTestinginSchoolDrinkingWater.html

For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 with our Senior Spotlights!

Our senior class will be showcased here, on social media and on the digital display and morning announcements at the high school.

Thank you to the students in our high school Multimedia Class and to Mrs. Heroth for their work preparing this year’s spotlights of our seniors.

Klayton Bailey

Michael Blowers

Ezra Brown

Alexis Buley

Ian Burns

Owen Castellano

Isaac Clark

Emma Cook

Michael Dinehart, Jr.

Noah Fonda

Jordynn Gomez

Jacob Herringshaw

Koby Herron

McKenna Karker

Jarrett Kimmel

Taylor Knoblauch

Alexander Lamphere

Macey LeRoy

Adrian Millett

Draik Millett

Constance Narzymski

Makena Nurnberger

Taylor Potter

Devannan Ragoo

Jayde TenEyck

Summer Trumbull

School will be closed from Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25.

This includes two unused emergency days and the Memorial Day holiday.

School will be back in session on Tuesday, May 26.