Category: District News
2025-26 school budget development
The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most thoughtful and effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.
Updates and resources related to the 2025-26 budget process will be added to the Budget section of the website as they become available.
School Budget Vote – May 20, 2025
Each spring, the board of education adopts a budget for the coming school year for a community vote. New York state has designated the third Tuesday in May as the date for school budget votes.
This year, the school budget vote and board of education election will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The vote will be held at the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Please mark your calendars and be sure to vote!
Board of Education adopts proposed 2025-26 proposed budget
During its regular meeting on April 10, 2025, the Fort Plain Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a proposed $24,000,000 budget for the 2025-26 school year.
The school budget represents an increase in spending of $156,000 or 0.65% over the current year budget. The spending plan will allow the district to maintain all current academic programs and personnel, and will provide for additional supports and learning opportunities for students.
Under this proposal, the tax levy would increase by 1.00%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 5.15%. Because the tax levy increase remains below the district’s allowable limit, as determined by the state’s tax “cap” formula, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) is needed to pass the budget.
Opportunities to learn about the school budget
Since the start of the year, district administration and the Board of Education have been at work developing a budget for the 2025-26 school year. The goal is to maximize the district’s resources to create a fiscally responsible budget for the district’s academic, athletic and extracurricular programs and essential services in order to meet students’ needs.
- Public Hearing – Proposed 2025-26 Budget—Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6 p.m., District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, NY.
Early Voting/Absentee Ballots
Early voting/absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the District Clerk, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Completed applications for ballots must be returned to the District Clerk at least seven days before the vote and election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote and election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.
Early/absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on May 20, 2025, the day of this year’s vote.
2025-26 legal notice of budget hearing, vote and election
LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing on the proposed 2025-2026 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 Thursday, May 8, 2025 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 20, 2025 between the hours of 12:00am 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:
2025-2026 BUDGET
To adopt the annual budget of the Fort Plain Central School District for the fiscal year 2025-26 and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be raised by taxation on the taxable property on the District.
PROPOSITION #1
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 $400,000; (b) expend such sums for such purpose; (c) expend from the Bus Purchase/Capital Reserve Fund an amount not to exceed $400,000 for such purpose; (d) levy the necessary tax therefore, to be levied and collected in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received and amounts disbursed from the reserve fund; and (e) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, to issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $400,000, and to levy a tax to pay the interest on such obligations when due?
ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBER SEATS
To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education consisting of two (2), three (3) year terms commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028, to succeed Kaitlyn Webb and Joshua Parkinson, whose terms expire on June 30, 2025.
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 2025-2026 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 a.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 21, 2025 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 them 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 21, 2025 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 21, 2025 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 13, 2025; or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter, May 19, 2025. Early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025.
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 25, 2025. 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 27, 2025
Rebecca J. Smith, District Clerk
Fort Plain Central School District
Run Dates: April 4, 2025
April 16, 2025
May 1, 2025
May 17, 2025
2025-26 school budget development underway
On February 5, 2025, Superintendent Lauren Crisman and Finance Director Philene Hudson presented a draft plan for the 2025-26 school year budget to the Fort Plain Board of Education.
The budget proposal preserves all academic programs and staffing, and includes funding to ensure our schools are safe and welcoming places for students and staff to learn, work and grow.
“This year’s budget provides support for initiatives that align with our enduring goals. We continue to think creatively about how we can best serve our community’s youth and provide them with an education and enriching experiences that prepare them for the future.”
Items under consideration in the draft 2025-26 budget include:
- The purchase of curricular materials that align with the statewide literacy initiative and will support each of our students in gaining proficiency with essential English Language Arts (reading, writing and communication.)
- Continuation of funding for BOCES services to support our students. For 2025-26, this will include the reintegration into the Distance Learning Consortium, which offers our high school students the opportunity to participate virtually with expanded and unique coursework and advance placement offerings.
- Support for experiential learning opportunities in the region to promote career exploration.
Voters will also consider a proposition to purchase three school buses (one 72-passenger and two 24-passenger) for approximately $400,000 as part of the district’s continual renewal of its transportation fleet. This would be paid for from bus purchase and capital reserve funds and will have no impact on the 2025-26 tax levy.
Proposed 2025-26 budget: At-a-Glance
The total for the draft budget is now $24,000,000 with anticipated revenue from all sources equaling this amount.
The proposed spending plan carries a tax levy increase of 1.00%, which remains below the district’s state calculated limit or “cap” of 5.15%.
The proposed budget would increase September school tax bills by an estimated* $10.87 for those with a property assessed at $100,000 and basic STAR – and – $3.90 for property owners with Enhanced Star.
*Calculations are based on prior year assessed values and equalization rates and subject to change.
Upcoming budget presentation and vote
The budget development process will continue through the spring with opportunities for the public to learn more.
The next presentation to the Board of Education on the 2025-26 budget is April 10.
A public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, in the District Office Conference Room, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, NY.
The school budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library at 25 High St., Fort Plain, NY.
At that time, district residents will also vote on two open seats on the school board. Board of Education petitions are now being accepted. Contact District Clerk Becky Smith for more information, 518-993-4000 ext. 1000.
Additional information about the annual budget process, including budget presentations, voting and tax information, can be found on the Budget page of our website.
Career exploration helps students see a world of possibilities
Along with helping our students gain essential knowledge and skills, we offer a host of opportunities throughout the school year designed to spark their interests in new career pathways.
Here are just a few of the ways our students have been exploring “a world of possibilities” this school year:
Touring today’s in-demand jobs
NYS Department of Labor was on campus earlier this year, offering our students a virtual tour through some of today’s in-demand jobs and emerging industries—from manufacturing and construction to healthcare and finance. This led to some great conversations with our high schoolers about future learning and careers!
Law and order
A group of our seniors recently attended the Women in Law program at the Onondaga County Courthouse in Syracuse. Hosted by the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, the program brought students and legal professionals together to introduce young women to the various professions in the field of law and promote the advancement of women in the legal professions.
Cultivating leaders
At the Cooperstown Central School’s 10th Annual Student-Athlete Leadership Conference, our student-athletes learned that leadership is an essential skill—in all aspects of life and on the track, field and court. Students had the chance to attend workshops about redefining success (it’s not all about winning!), self-care, and leadership with their teams/teammates, in their schools and community.
Inspiring the next generation of teachers
Students curious about a career in education participated in a two-day teacher recruitment workshop at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School, led by members of our high school teaching team and designed to inspire and inform students about the rewards and impact they can have as teachers.
Women in the skilled trades
Career and technical education offers students a chance to train for jobs and careers in a host of skilled trades. Many of our high schoolers follow this course of study with our partner HFM BOCES and in-house through our welding pathway program. This March, Fort Plain students joined their peers from around the region for an event focused on women in the trades, offering them the chance to “see themselves” in the many career pathways offered through the BOCES.
Canajoharie and Fort Plain residents vote against merger in straw poll
On Thursday, March 6, residents in the Canajoharie and Fort Plain central school districts voted against the merger in an advisory referendum/straw poll vote.
The measure was rejected with a vote of 318 to 286 in Canajoharie and 206 to 191 in Fort Plain.
The boards of education now have one year to revisit the question of a merger and put the question to the community for a revote if they choose to do so. After that time, a new study would be needed if the districts wish to reconsider a potential merger.
Canajoharie Superintendent Dr. Nick Fitzgerald and Fort Plain Superintendent Lauren Crisman wish to thank all who voted in the straw poll. They also thank the districts’ boards of education, members of the Merger Advisory Committee and members of the two communities who gave generously of their time and thoughtful input during merger study meetings, in surveys and during forums on the potential merger.
Despite the outcome of the poll, the superintendents said the merger study and community feedback throughout the process have provided input that will be valuable as the districts continue to look for ways to work together for the betterment of their students.
Library Club book collection for our students
Send our students on a reading adventure this summer!
Here is what you can do:
- Donate. Any amount is welcome!
- Adopt a book for $25.
- Send in new-ish books for young adults, teens or older elementary school students.
Checks can be made out to the “Fort Plain Library Club” and sent to the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School, 1 West Street, Fort Plain, N.Y., 13339, c/o Ms. Tariyka Chalk.
Please contact Ms. Tariyka Chaulk at tariyka.chaulk@fortplain.org or Mrs. Cory Cooley at cory.cooley@fortplain.org to make a cash donation.
Book donations can be dropped off at the Jr./Sr. High School.
Questions? Please contact Ms. Chaulk at tariyka.chaulk@fortplain.org.
Thank you for your support!
Amy Bartholomew appointed as Harry Hoag Principal
On Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025, the Fort Plain Board of Education voted to appoint Amy Bartholomew to the position of principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School.
Amy Bartholomew has been working as the Acting Principal of Harry Hoag since July 2024. Her recent completion of a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership allowed the board to consider making her appointment as the elementary school’s principal permanent.
“It has been a pleasure to mentor such a wonderful, qualified leadership candidate,” said Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “Throughout the fall, while completing her administrative internship, Mrs. Bartholomew led Harry Hoag as its acting principal with integrity and demonstrated that she had the competencies required of a school building leader. The Board of Education and I are excited to officially announce her appointment to the role of Elementary Principal. Harry Hoag students and faculty are in good hands.”
“I am incredibly honored to officially step into the role of Elementary Principal at Harry Hoag,” added Amy Bartholomew. “Being able to serve in the community where I grew up is truly a privilege, and I’m deeply grateful to the Board of Education and Superintendent Crisman for their trust in me.”
“The past several months have been a truly rewarding experience. I am so fortunate to work alongside the best teachers and staff who are so dedicated to our students’ success,” Bartholomew continued. “As someone who has known many of our families for years, it’s especially meaningful to strengthen these close relationships. The work we’re doing together is something I’m incredibly proud of, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a nurturing, supportive environment.”
Merger Feasibility Study update, upcoming “straw vote” set
Dear Community Members,
At the Jan. 16, 2025 joint Canajoharie and Fort Plain CSD Board of Education Meeting, action was taken to continue to seek community input regarding a potential school merger.
Both communities will now hold a non-binding Straw Vote on March 6, 2025 to learn if there is community support for a merger.
Additional details will be forthcoming about the time and location for voting.
Learn more about the Merger Feasibility Study at upcoming forums
Prior to casting a vote, we invite you to participate in one of several community forums to learn more about the recent Feasibility Study and the proposed school merger. Your voices are critical in shaping the direction of this important decision. At the forums you will be able to ask questions and engage in a meaningful discussion about the future of education in our two communities.
Forum dates and locations
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Fort Plain/Harry Hoag Elementary School Cafeteria
- Monday, February 10, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Canajoharie High School Cafeteria
- Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6 p.m. Virtual Meeting
Join the virtual meeting at this link.
During these forums, you will:
- Learn about potential opportunities and advantages a merger could provide for students.
- Understand the challenges facing both school districts.
- Be able to ask questions.
We encourage everyone — parents, students, teachers, staff and community members — to attend one of the forums.
Join the conversation about the Merger Feasibility Study
We have launched a final ThoughtExchange to learn more about the community reactions to the Feasibility Study and the potential merger.
Please follow this link to participate in the ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/745964927
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
Asian Lunar New Year school holiday – Jan. 29
In September 2024, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law declaring the Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday statewide. The legislation requires that all public schools close for the Asian Lunar New Year holiday, which is a winter holiday for the Asian community.
This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and public schools in New York including Fort Plain CSD will be closed to observe it.
Asian Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is regarded as the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. Those who celebrate consider it the time of the year to reunite with family.
Fired up for learning!
Students explore the skilled trades with new high school offerings.
While traditional classroom instruction has its place, hands-on learning helps lessons come to life.
This is especially true for learners who have a passion for the skilled trades—pursuits such as construction, culinary arts, carpentry, plumbing, welding and more.
In the past, students with such a drive had to wait until their junior or senior year of high school to begin this sort of learning. Educational partners such as HFM BOCES’ Career & Technical Education program has been, and remains, key to this.
Increasingly, though, more of our students enter high school knowing how they want to learn and where they want to go career-wise.They aren’t content to wait until their required high school coursework is well-underway to start learning about what interests them most.
At the start of this school year, and in response to our students’ request, the high school launched its first “technology pathway.” Centered around a welding curriculum, classes include a range of electives—from stick, MIG and TIG welding to Computer Assisted Design (CAD)—and offer students a chance to take the “deep dive” they know is right for them as soon as they enter high school.
Students who successfully complete the technology pathway now offered at Fort Plain, along with other core subjects, can earn their diploma with an added technical endorsement.
Students will also be able to use this type of career and technical education pathway to demonstrate mastery of their high school coursework and earn their diploma under the new graduation measures being developed by the state.
The path to the pathway
“Many years ago, we began offering electives aimed mostly at students who had pre-engineering leanings and were likely to pursue this sort of coursework in college,” explained high school technology teacher Kreig Heroth. “While this has been an important way to inspire these students, we knew we were missing out by not offering courses that could bring in students who have more of a bent toward the skilled trades.”
The addition of a second technology teacher this school year, and upgrades to both the technology and welding classrooms at the high school, have allowed the district to offer students an expanded “package” of electives. This includes an early introduction to technology for all seventh and eighth graders with the opportunity for students to take electives beginning in ninth grade for a full experience with the design, creation and building that go into a career such as welding.
“Some of the students are hands-on learners and all they want to do is weld, so they might not naturally gravitate to a class like CAD or Design and Drawing for Production,” Heroth continued. “Over the years, there has been an evolution in technology education. We want to give them a range of experiences and help them build all the skills they need to pursue their passion.”
“This has been a way to expand our students’ career and technical education learning right in our schools,” added Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “We want to ensure our learners have as many opportunities as possible to gain the skills they tell us they want and we know they will need to be successful in the future.”
Both Crisman and Heroth note that there is already a high level of interest for this elective pathway and indications that it will grow even more in the coming years, given the demand for skilled welders in the workforce.
The goal is to continue to expand this offering with new courses and work toward partnerships with area businesses that will allow students to network, take part in apprenticeships and learn on the job.
Following their passions
Seniors Ace Roy and Gabby Calhoun are both taking full advantage of these new electives. And while they have different career goals, both say what they are learning is sure to help them on their paths.
Ace Roy, who is interested in welding as a profession, says this experience is giving him a leg up on learning.
“These classes are teaching me a lot of handy skills I am sure I will be using as a welder and throughout my life. It is good to know how to make things and to do it myself. And, if I can get paid for doing what I love, all the better!”
For Gabby Calhoun, the classes have offered her the chance to try something new and learn more about what interests her.
“I didn’t even know welding was a thing before I took these classes, but thought this would be something new to try.”
She recommends that other students give it a try, too.
“The sparks might scare you at first, but it is a great way to find out if it’s something you might want to learn more about.”
While Gabby intends to study veterinary and animal science after graduation, she is already putting the skills she is learning to good use.
“My family owns a trucking business and others work in construction. I have already been helping out with the skills I have learned.”