Category: District News
Change in leadership: A message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain Community,
I want to share with you that I will be leaving the district in late August.
It has been an incredible honor to be part of your lives for the past ten years. Getting to know each of you so well has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Serving in this community and supporting your growth and that of our students has filled me with immeasurable pride.
I am deeply grateful for the trust and partnership we have shared over the years. Your dedicated support of our children has been a constant source of motivation for me. My experiences in FPCSD have taught me so much and will surely inform and inspire me in my new leadership role.
Though I am stepping away from the Fort Plain schools, this community and each of you will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been a privilege to work with and on behalf of you all.
The Board of Education will begin working to secure new leadership and updates will be provided as they become available.
With heartfelt fondness,
Lauren Crisman
Summer meals for children and teens
Join us for free and nutritious meals
Again this summer, Fort Plain CSD will be a site for free and nutritious meals for all area children and teens, ages 18 and under.
This program is open to all children and teens, regardless of where they live or where they go to school.
Breakfast and lunch will be served in the cafeteria at Harry Hoag Elementary School, Monday – Thursdays, from Monday, July 7 through Thursday, Aug. 7 during these hours:
Breakfast: 8 – 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Summer meals will not be served at Harry Hoag Elementary School on Fridays.
View the July and August 2025 summer meals menus.
More information about the summer meals program:
- Visit the SummerMeals NY website (including a searchable listing of all area sites serving free summer meals for children and teens.)
- Phone:
- 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) English
- 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) Spanish
Fort Plain Central School District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are equal opportunity employers and providers.
Published June 6, 2025; updated June 30, 2025
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
On June 28, the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Class of 2025 received their diplomas, turned their tassels and walked off the graduation stage and into the next exciting chapters of their lives.
Hundreds of friends, family and community members were on hand to cheer the seniors and their many accomplishments.
Throughout the ceremony, seniors were encouraged to bask in their success, to dream in big ways and to remember to find the joys—big and small—in each day.
Congratulations to our seniors. We’re proud of each of you, Hilltoppers!
Celebrating the Class of 2025
Join us in celebrating our Class of 2025 with our graduation photo album, Top 10 Seniors video, which premiered at graduation, and Senior Spotlights, which were displayed in the high school lobby, shared with our families, highlighted on morning announcements and shared on social media.
Class of 2025 Senior Spotlights
Photo gallery of highlights from the 2025 Fort Plain High School Graduation.
Congratulations to our 2025 National Junior Honor Society inductees
Join us in congratulating the seventh graders who were recently welcomed as provisional members and the eighth graders who were inducted into the Fort Plain National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).
A ceremony for students, family and friends took place on June 2 at the Jr./Sr. High School.
2025 National Junior Honor Society Inductees
Seventh Graders
- Fiona Brown
- Owen Charboneau
- Laura Flynn
- Raelynn Fournier
- McKenzie Jones
- Jacob LaQuee
- Timothy Keane
- Piper Kretser
- Claudia Maring
- Aishwarya Murray
- Ethan Shostek
- Adalay Webb
Eighth Graders
- Madden Lathers
- Connor Lochner
- Lainie McDuffee
- Isabella McGuire
- Jack Parkinson
- Braddock Putnam
- Molly Shults
- Gregory Simons
- Jaymes Smith
- Gavin Souza
- Kinley Trumbull
Katrina Canallatos appointed as Jr./Sr. High School Principal
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Fort Plain Board of Education voted to appoint Katrina Canallatos as Principal of Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School.
Katrina Canallatos has been working as the Acting Principal of the Jr./Sr. High School since January 2025.
“The Board of Education and I are excited to officially announce Katrina Canallatos’ appointment as our Jr./Sr. High School Principal,” said Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “Mrs. Canallatos is a valued member of our school community and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a deep commitment to student success and a clear understanding of our district’s values and goals. Her nine years of experience as a member of our leadership team will serve her well as she continues to honor the traditions of the Fort Plain school district while guiding our school forward. Our students and faculty are in good hands.”
“After nine incredible years as Fort Plain’s Director of Special Education, I’m honored and excited to begin this new chapter as Principal of Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School,” added Katrina Canallatos. “The staff and students here have truly inspired me with their resilience, creativity and heart. My experiences have strengthened my belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive—and I’m committed to fostering a school culture where all learners feel seen, supported and empowered. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead and grow alongside this amazing community.”
Voters approve 2025-26 Fort Plain school budget
Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on May 20, 2025 to approve a $24,000,000 budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 136 to 24.
Bus Proposition
Voters also approved a referendum by a vote of 127 to 32 authorizing the district to purchase three school buses/vehicles at a cost not to exceed $400,000. These funds will be drawn from reserve funds. The purchase will have no impact on the tax levy.
Board of Education Election
Additionally, voters elected Kaitlyn Webb (115 votes) to fill one of two vacancies on the Board of Education.
Write-in candidates for the second open seat on the board and the number of votes they received are:
- Eunice Douglas (25 votes)
- Janine Brown (18 votes)
- Jamie Bunker (11 votes)
The write-in candidates will now be contacted by the district beginning with the person who received the highest number of votes to confirm their acceptance of the election and willingness to serve on the board of education.
Additional information on the successful candidate of this write-in vote will be forthcoming.
Both successful candidates will serve three-year terms that begin on July 1, 2025.
Congratulations to our 2025 National Honor Society inductees
Join us in congratulating our Jr./Sr. High School students who were inducted into the Fort Plain National Honor Society (NHS) at a May 15 ceremony.
Senior NHS members and leaders Nathan Benson, Yunis Demir, Jed Douglas, Ashlynn Hart, Vienna Jackson, Payton Landry and Adriyanna Rouse, as well as faculty advisor, Kolbe Gray, helped lead the ceremony.
2025 National Honor Society Inductees
Students are inducted in the National Honor Society based on their scholarship, leadership, service and character. Join us in congratulating:
- Jordan Brown
- Josephia Carcasole
- Owen Castellano
- Emma Cook
- McKenna Karker
- Dylan Keane
- Jasmine Lapi
- Constance Narzymski
- Talyor Potter
Fort Plain’s chapter of the National Honor Society was chartered in 1954.
Apply now: Class of 2025 Scholarships
The deadlines are nearing to apply for a host of scholarships being offered to the Class of 2025.
Graduating seniors and their families are encouraged to review the criteria for these scholarships and make application.
Please contact Fort Plain High School Counselor Elliott Cohen at 518-993-4000 ext. 2129 with questions or for more information.
Class of 2025 Scholarships
Fort Plain Scholarship Association Award
A series of awards and scholarships sponsored by the Fort Plain Scholarship Association are available to graduating seniors based on various criteria, including scholarship and financial need. Students do not need to be planning to attend college to apply.
All students in the Fort Plain Class of 2025 are encouraged to apply by completing the Fort Plain Scholarship Association application.
Application due date: May 30, 2025
View the Fort Plain Scholarship Association scholarship application.
Bo M. Baker Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is available to graduating seniors who have been two-sport athletes (one needs to have been baseball or softball).
This scholarship will be awarded to students who have demonstrated love for the game, dedication on and off the field, and who coaches and teammates would say gives 110% all the time.
Recipients will be selected based on an application including a student essay (250 words) and (1) letter of recommendation.
Application due date: May 16, 2025
Bo M. Baker Memorial Scholarship application.
William G. Cutspec Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will be given to two graduating seniors (one male and one
female) to help with college expenses.
This scholarship will be awarded to two-sport student athletes based on an outgoing personality, strong work ethic, and demonstrated leadership, sportsmanship, motivation and ability. These qualities have been determined by the Cutspec family to reflect the personality embodied by Mr. Cutspec.
Application due date: May 30, 2025
View the William G. Cutspec Memorial Scholarship application.
George Duffy Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is available to students who are planning on studying for a career in the medical field in college.
Recipient will be selected based on (2) letters of recommendations, student’s high school transcript; college acceptance letter, financial need (including a review of student’s the awarded college financial package.)
Application due date: May 30, 2025
View the George Duffy Foundation scholarship application.
Floyd J. Reinhart Memorial Scholarship
Available to graduating seniors who will be attending college or trade school.
This scholarship will be awarded to a student graduating in 2025 from Canajoharie, Fort Plain or Oppenheim Ephratah-St. Johnsville High School.
Recipient will be selected based on scholastic ranking/standing in class, standardized test scores, involvement in community/school activities, financial need and (2) letters of recommendation.
Application due date: May 30, 2025
View the Floyd J. Reinhart Memorial Scholarship application.
Fort Plain Class of 2025 – Top 10 Seniors
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School has named the Top 10 students of the Class of 2025. Congratulations to each of these students on their many accomplishments:
- James “Jed” Douglas—Valedictorian
- Payton Landry—Salutatorian
- Chase Tyler
- Ashlynn Hart
- Yunus Demir
- Adriyanna Rouse
- Vienna Jackson
- Jasmine Lapi
- Nathan Benson
- Dakota Cooper
Top Ten Video
Watch a video in tribute to our Fort Plain Class of 2025 Top Ten Seniors.
2025 Board of Education election and candidates
The 2025-26 school budget vote will be held on May 20, 2025 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library. At that time, district residents will also vote on two open seats on the school board.
The elected board members will each serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025.
The Fort Plain Board of Education is empowered to develop policies, rules and regulations for the operation of our school district and for the education and well-being of our students.
Learn more about the responsibilities and characteristics of a board of education member.
2025 Board of Education Candidates
Kaitlyn Webb is the single candidate in this election; the other open board seat will be filled through write-in vote.
Kaitlyn Webb
Kaitlyn Webb is running for a second, three year term on the Fort Plain Board of Education.
“I am a mom, volunteer soccer coach, and a 14-year resident of Fort Plain. I have three children enrolled in the FPCS. I’m running for school board because our district’s children deserve the best opportunities for success that we can offer them.
My background in business analytics will allow me to evaluate and direct the district’s efforts, ask the difficult questions, and seek the answers sought by all residents.
By collaborating openly with parents, teachers, students, and our Board, I will work to increase communication and community involvement for the benefit of all.”