Category: Archive
District residents approve proposed budget and propositions, elect 2 to Board of Education
Fort Plain Central School District residents approved a proposed $22,520,000 budget for the 2022-23 school year by a vote of 109 to 30 on May 17, 2022.
They also approved propositions to:
- Purchase four school vehicles at a maximum cost of $468,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase/Capital Reserve Fund. The purchase would allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs. – Approved by a vote of 111 to 28
- Increase the maximum funding level of the existing Transportation and Capital Reserve Fund from $5,000,000 to an amount not to exceed $10,000,000. – Approved by a vote of 93 to 46
- Establish a new Repair Reserve Fund in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, with a probable term of ten (10) years, for the purpose of financing the repair of various school district buildings, facilities, sites and equipment, to be funded from the district’s unappropriated fund balance and future budget surpluses. – Approved by a vote of 114 to 23
- Undertake an energy performance/savings project to allow the district to maximize state building aid, at an estimated maximum cost of $5,000,000 that would be covered by long-term energy cost savings achieved by the implementation of energy conservation measures.- Approved by a vote of 118 to 21
Voters also elected Kaitlyn Webb (93 votes) and Benjamin Trumbull (30 write-in votes) to the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.
The 2022-23 budget preserves the district’s academic programming and services to meet student needs. It includes a 2.95% spending increase and a 1.44% tax levy increase.
“The district’s goal was to propose a responsible budget that supports high quality educational programs and services for our students,” said Interim Superintendent Jeffery Ziegler.
Detailed information is posted on the budget webpage.
Mr. A’s 10 Book Pizza Challenge creates an appetite for reading
Many things compete for our time and attention in today’s fast-paced world, yet one of the oldest forms of expression – books – can ignite the imagination, provide a unique experience for each person and open doors to unexplored worlds.
Back in September, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School teacher Ted Arndt challenged his students to read at least 10 books during the course of the school year and write a report about each one.
“I promised they would be rewarded with a pizza party if they accomplished this difficult task,” Arndt said. “Well, last week, they completed their tenth book, ‘Freak the Mighty,’ by Rodman Philbrick. Examples of other titles include John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘Snitch,’ by Norah McClintock.
“The students’ collective work ethic during this year has been outstanding, and they are very proud of their reading accomplishments. I couldn’t be happier with them or their effort.”
The students will enjoy their Pizza Challenge party on May 13. But that’s not all that they and their teacher have to celebrate. “They are so excited that they are committed to reading an eleventh book before the year ends!” Arndt said. “They’re already deeply into it.”
Congratulations to our latest 7th grade Most Valuable Students
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 7th Grade Team has announced the Most Valuable Students for February, March and April 2022. Congratulations to Alexis Palmeri, Kala Clapper and Trinity Belliveau, respectively.
Most Valuable Student is a monthly award that was developed for students who are caught “doing their job.” According to teacher Dale Smith, “Students who most demonstrate characteristics in one or more of the following categories will receive a Most Valuable Student award for the month:
- Responsibility/accountability
- Kindness
- Academics
- Good citizenship
- School pride
- Perseverance
- Self-control
- Helpful to peers/teachers, and
- Accepting of new challenges.”
Each monthly winner gets a Medal and Certificate congratulating them on their achievement.
Congratulations to the most recent Most Valuable Students:
February: Alexis Palmeri
March: Kala Clapper
April: Trinity Belliveau
Talia Narzymski pens winning essay
Senior Talia Narzymski won first place in the Frank S. Rice Memorial Family Life Contest sponsored by the Yahnundasis Bodies Valley Of Utica with her essay entitled, “The Positive Place the Pandemic Put Me In.” She was recognized at a dinner on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, where she read her essay and received a $250award. Congratulations Talia!
FPHS names Class of 2022 top 10 students
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School has named the top 10 students of the Class of 2022.
Congratulations to the following seniors:
1. Robert Jordan, Valedictorian
2. Erin Crouse, Salutatorian
3. Sarah Florian
4. Talia Narzymski
5. Emma Oldick
6. Levi Thomas
7. Seth Rivkowich
8. Hailey Hogan
9. Keagen Ford
10. Estee Smith
A proactive approach to Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School is taking a proactive approach to wellness, offering students in grades 7 through 12 a variety of engaging activities and workshops during their lunch periods.
Offerings throughout the month will include self-care tips, a hydration station with fruit-infused water and create your own healthy snacks, as well as sessions on yoga, mindfulness, aromatherapy, coping skills, personal safety plans, and a rock painting session and walk to place the rocks outside near the school.
School counselors Colleen Cushing and Kayla Mahoney, Psychologist Dr. Lara Gordon and Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee have teamed up to coordinate the month’s activities, with input and ideas from students.
Just like physical health, good mental health requires awareness, positive behaviors and learning new skills, particularly during busy times of the year and when confronted with challenges. FPHS’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities are designed to offer students enjoyable opportunities to learn and grow, both in school and beyond.
Parents/guardians may sign up their students for activities and workshops by contacting their school counselor. Lunch periods are scheduled between 11:05 and 1:05 p.m.
Outstanding student-athletes Sarah Florian, Robert Jordan, Levi Thomas sign with colleges
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School celebrated college signings by three talented student-athletes the afternoon of May 4, 2022, in the high school lobby.
The students-athletes and their coaches were introduced by Fort Plain Athletic Director Charlie Karker, who congratulated them on their dedication, effort and success.
Sarah Florian signed today with Utica University for indoor and outdoor track and field. She closes out an impressive high school career competing in shot put and discus and other events. Sarah was praised for her work in the athletic and academic arenas by Track & Field Coach and Social Studies Teacher Brad Niles.
Robert Jordan signed today with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for basketball.
Levi Thomas signed today with Albany College of Pharmacy for basketball.
Robert and Levi helped Fort Plain clinch the 2022 varsity sectionals at the Cool Insuring Arena in March and were spotlighted in an article in the Daily Gazette. Basketball Coach and P.E. Teacher Casey Russom spoke about Robert’s and Levi’s achievements and praised all three students for their hard work behind the scenes leading to their success being celebrated today.
Students must meet college standards to sign with NCAA Division III schools, and signing is evidence of an outstanding high school career and commitment to a college’s program.
Congratulations to all!
Robert Jordan, Sarah Florian, Levi Thomas
Robert, Sarah and Levi with Coach Russom, Coach Niles
and Athletic Director Karker
Levi and his family
Sarah and her family
Robert and his family
Lauren Crisman named Fort Plain superintendent
[Updated May 5, 2022]
The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education, at their May 4, 2022, meeting, appointed Lauren Crisman to the position of Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2022, contingent upon successful contract negotiations.
Crisman, who has been the principal of the Harry Hoag Elementary School since 2016, will replace current Interim Superintendent Jeffery Ziegler.
“We cast a wide net during the search process to ensure we found the best fit possible for Fort Plain,” Board of Education President Mary Beth Hudyncia said. “The ideal candidate was already here in our district. As our elementary principal, Lauren Crisman has served the district and the community exceptionally well, and we look forward to her leadership as superintendent.”
“It is an honor to be offered the opportunity to serve as the superintendent of schools for Fort Plain Central School District. I have enjoyed being a part of so many Hilltopper traditions for the past six years while serving as the elementary principal, and I am deeply proud of our school community,” Crisman said.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with the board, faculty and staff, students and families to ensure that each student reaches their fullest potential. We will be a school district where success is experienced often and celebrated frequently. I thank everyone for the support that I’ve been given thus far and for letting me be a part of your children’s lives. I am excited to continue supporting the development of our district as we plan for the infinite possibilities of the future in education.”
Before coming to Fort Plain, Crisman served as the elementary principal and K-12 curriculum coordinator in the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School for five years. Also at Cherry Valley-Springfield, Crisman worked as an English Language Arts coordinator, reading coach and elementary teacher. She also has teaching experience at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Little Falls, and North Colonie. In addition to her duties as the Harry Hoag principal, Crisman has been serving as a student teacher supervisor at the State University of New York at Oneonta for the last three years.
Crisman has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland and a master’s in Literacy from SUNY Albany. She also earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from SUNY Cortland.
College signing celebration set for May 4 for Sarah Florian, Robert Jordan, Levi Thomas
All are welcome as Fort Plain celebrates college signings by three talented student-athletes on Wednesday, May 4, at 3 p.m. in the high school lobby.
- Sarah Florian will sign with Utica University for indoor and outdoor track and field.
- Robert Jordan will sign with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for basketball.
- Levi Thomas will sign with Albany College of Pharmacy for basketball.
Students must meet college standards to sign with NCAA Division III schools, with signing evidence of an impressive high school career and commitment to a college’s program.
Above, from left: Robert Jordan, Levi Thomas, Sarah Florian
Residents to vote May 17 on proposed 2022-23 school year budget, propositions, Board of Education seats
Fort Plain Central School District residents will vote on Tuesday, May 17, on a proposed $22,520,000 budget for the 2022-23 school year. The vote will be held from 1-9 p.m. in the Harry Hoag gym.
The proposed budget, which includes a $645,000 (2.95%) spending increase and a $83,029 (1.44%) tax levy increase, would preserve the district’s academic programming and services to meet student needs.
“The district’s goal is to propose a responsible budget that supports high quality educational programs and services for our students. The proposed budget would achieve that goal,” said Interim Superintendent Jeffery Ziegler.
Residents will also vote on propositions to:
- Purchase four school vehicles at a maximum cost of $468,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase/Capital Reserve Fund. The purchase would allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.
- Increase the maximum funding level of the existing Transportation and Capital Reserve Fund from $5,000,000 to an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.
- Establish a new Repair Reserve Fund in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, with a probable term of ten (10) years, for the purpose of financing the repair of various school district buildings, facilities, sites and equipment, to be funded from the district’s unappropriated fund balance and future budget surpluses.
- Undertake an energy performance/savings project to allow the district to maximize state building aid, at an estimated maximum cost of $5,000,000 that would be covered by long-term energy cost savings achieved by the implementation of energy conservation measures.
Voters will elect two members to the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025, for seats currently held by Mary Beth Hudyncia and Ronald Kardash, whose terms expire June 30, 2022. There is only one candidate, Kaitlyn Webb.
Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the District Clerk between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on May 17, 2022.
Detailed information is posted on the budget webpage.