Schoharie
Central
School
Schoharie, New York
Vol. # LXXXI, No. 3
Schoharie Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team
“Learning is the Mission”
Message from
NOVEMBER 2007
Message from
THE SUPERINTENDENT
An ongoing goal for both the Board of Education and the
school administration has been to improve methods of
communication with our parents and the community. To
that end, all teachers have new e-mail accounts at school
and working computers in each of their classrooms. We are
pleased to announce that hyper-links to their e-mail
addresses went active on October 21st! For parents wishing to contact a staff member, the easiest way is to go to
our website and use the direct links on the staff directory
pages for the elementary and the junior/senior high
schools. Please keep in mind that a response to your email may be a note or phone call rather than an e-mail
especially since we need to be cautious about confidential
information. If any links don’t seem to work, please let the
school offices know so we can correct the error. It has
taken us a little while to join the twentieth century, now we
can focus on the current century!
We are also excited about the EXCEL Proposition which
will go before our voters on November 27th. This capital
project will allow for upgrades to our ventilation systems,
emergency and safety systems, and health facilities, as well
as improvements to the theatre. We will be forwarding a
special newsletter dedicated to just the proposed project
in a few days. That newsletter will explain how the district
will fund the project with grant monies and money from
the state so that there will be no local share of taxpayer
funds. If you have any questions between now and the
time of the vote, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Brian Sherman
Superintendent
THE SCHOOL BOARD
EXCEL Project
At its October 3, 2007 meeting, the School Board adopted a resolution to offer to the public a capital project based on EXCEL
aid. This project will include a renovation of the high school
auditorium, renovation of the high school boys' and girls' locker rooms, and construction of a fitness center between the
locker rooms. Also included are upgrades to the fire alarm and
emergency lighting systems, and ventilation improvements in
both the elementary school and the high school. The project
will also include the installation of an all-weather track.
No local real property taxes will be used for this project,
because the entire $2.482 million cost of the project will be
paid from state grants and aid. A public hearing on the project
is scheduled for November 14, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., and the public
vote will be held on November 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All members of the public are invited to attend the hearing,
and encouraged to cast their votes.
More information is available on the District’s website, and a
special district newsletter on the topic of the project will be
sent out shortly. Please take the time to review the project
details, and vote on November 27.
Independent Audit
The firm of Dorfman-Robbie Certified Public Accountants, P.C.
recently completed an audit of the District’s finances and
financial management practices, and issued a resoundingly
positive report. The auditors did identify several issues requiring District action, including updated computer software, an
improved records recovery plan, and a continuing deficit in the
school lunch fund; District administrators have already begun
implementing recommended improvements. Overall the audit
report is a very positive confirmation of District affairs, and a
testament to the management of Superintendent Brian
Sherman and Business Administrator Robert Bonaker.
Respectfully yours,
Chris Spies
Board President
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SCHOHARIE CSD CAPITAL
PROJECT 11-27-07
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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1. WHAT IS IT, SPECIFICALLY, THAT THE VOTER IS
CONSIDERING WHEN HE/SHE IS VOTING ON
THE PROPOSITION ABOUT THE CAPITAL PROJECT? Voters are authorizing the total dollar amount
of expenditures for the project, an amount not to
exceed $2,482,000. Afterwards, architect and engineering plans must be approved by the State
Education Department, and then there would be
advertising for construction bids.
2. WHAT IMPACT DOES THE CAPITAL PROJECT
HAVE ON TAX RATES? There is NO impact on the tax
rates for any of the items being considered by the voters on November 27th. The project will be entirely
funded by the EXCEL monies the state set-aside last
year, plus grant funds previously received, plus state
building aid for which the District is entitled.
3. WHAT ABOUT MY STATE TAXES? WILL THOSE
INCREASE? State building aid and the EXCEL aid are
funds the state has previously appropriated and setaside, so our state income taxes will not be impacted.
If the voters approve the project, Schoharie Central
School will receive its fair share of these available
funds. If the project is not approved, then the money
will be given to other school districts for their projects.
4. WHY DO THE BUILDINGS NEED THIS ADDITIONAL WORK? Our schools, just like our homes,
need repairs from time to time. Part of the project is
aimed at keeping our buildings structurally sound.
Also, it is important to make sure that the emergency
system and ventilation system are up-to-date. This is
the responsible thing to do, especially through a capital project that will not be a burden on the property
taxpayer.
5. WHO ASSESSED THE NEEDS FOR THE PROJECT
WORK AND HOW WERE THE ITEMS PRIORITIZED?
The Board of Education received lists of important
items from all administrators and supervisors and
then reviewed the items. The Board then commissioned a study of the capital needs that was conducted by the architecture firm, the engineering firm and
the construction management firm that the District
hired. In concert with the professional firms, the
Board and the Superintendent of Schools established
the project priorities within the limits of the budget of
$2,482,000.
Schoharie CSD Finances
Receive Another Clean Audit
The independent public accounting firm of Dorfman/Robbie
CPAs has completed its audit of Schoharie Central School
finances for the school year that ended as of June 30, 2007.
The audit report stated that the District has received another
unqualified report, commonly referred to as a ‘clean’ opinion.
According to Dorfman/Robbie in the audit report, a ‘clean’
opinion means that the combined financial statements "present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Schoharie Central School District at June 30, 2007 and
the results of its operations for the year then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles."
The audit company said in a recent presentation to the
Board of Education, that the fiscal affairs of the district were
thoroughly reviewed and no material findings were issued.
The audit report revealed an increase in net assets of the district and shows that the district is on solid financial footing
for long-range financial planning.
Brian Sherman, Superintendent of Schools, commented that
Business Administrator Robert Bonaker and personnel in the
Business Office, Julie Langan, Treasurer, Sue Schuppel, Sr.
Account Clerk, and Barb Smith, Office Secretary, “are to be
commended for their fine work during the past year that
resulted in this excellent audit report.”
A copy of the audit report is available for review in the
District Business Office from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday Friday.
High School Library Open for
Community Use
The High School Library is again open for
public use. We are open Tuesday and
Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Visit our fully computerized facility and
browse through our collection of books, or read magazines and newspapers. We continue to receive current
best-selling books and are grateful for the generous donation which makes this possible. Students can finish
schoolwork and research that they were not able to do
during the school day. Adults can use our materials and
computers for research and personal interests. We will be
open October 2, 2007 - May 22, 2008 when school is in
session. Come check out what the Schoharie Jr./Sr. High
School Library has to offer!
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Continuing Education Information and Survey
Dear Members of the SCS community,
At this time we would appreciate you taking the time to complete the attached survey. Our goal is to
determine your interest, or not, in an evening adult education program. With many schools such as SCS
being a focal point of the community schools often offer such programs to community members.
Such programs consist of a wide spectrum of opportunities. For example: arts & crafts, painting, sewing
(quilting), knitting, crocheting, dancing, cake decorating, photography, computer skills, adult GED, and
defensive driving.
These classes may consist of a one night course, ten-hour course, or more. They may be once a week
or twice a week, depending on the type of course. Generally, costs are involved and typically need to
have a minimum of ten participants to successfully self-sustain the course. Courses can run anywhere
from two to ten hours total, so that the district will incur no costs. To accomplish this, the cost per program would be about ten dollars per person.
Once again we ask that you take the time to complete the attached survey and return it to my as soon
as possible.
Best regards,
Stacey A. Birdsall
Jr./Sr. High School Principal
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SCS Continuing Education Survey
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Would you be interested in attending adult education classes in the evening?
Yes
What would be the best night for you to attend?
Monday
Wednesday
Tuesday
Other suggestions:
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Please check all the areas you would be interested in.
_____Adult literacy / GED
_____Foreign Language
_____Jewelry making
_____Sewing
_____Knitting
4.
No
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_____Computer skills
_____Photography
_____Photography
_____Cake decorating
_____Defensive driving
_____Painting
_____Exercise
_____Arts & crafts
_____Dancing
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From question number three, list your four top choices.
____________________ ____________________
____________________ ____________________
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Science in the Elementary
by Kathleen Peter, Student
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In fourth grade we have been studying crayfish.
On September 26, our class was lucky enough to
watch my mommy dissect a crayfish. We learned
many new things about crayfish. Did you know
that a crayfish has teeth in its stomach? Or, that
the heart looks like a tube? We also got to see the
gills and learned how they work. We
were all very excited and had many
questions. I can’t pick a favorite part
because I liked all of it. Afterwards,
we all wrote letters to thank my
mommy. It was a great day.
Parent, Susan Peter, dissects a crayfish as part of Elementary
School’s 4th Grade science program.
GUEST READER DAY
Schoharie Elementary hosted its first Guest Reader
Day of the 2007-2008 School Year, in October.
Keeping with our focus on literacy, Elementary
Teachers- Karen Yager and Amy Smith organized
the event. Special guests were invited to come and
read to our students in grades K-6. It was truly
wonderful to see the wealth of support the school
has received in our efforts to improve student
achievement through reading. SCS would like to
thank News Channel 13’s – Tim Drawbridge,
Subrina Dhammi, and Andrew Catalon, News
Channel 10’s Dori Marlin, WGNA 107.7’s Casey
Danton, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Schoharie
Kiwanis, and many other community members for Superintendent Brian Sherman and Assemblyman
Pete Lopez participated in Schoharie Elementary’s
making this a great success!
Guest Reader Day.
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Julie Wade, Kiwanis Member and Assistant
VP/Schoharie Branch Manager for the Bank of
Richmondville, read to Miss Smith’s 4th grade class.
Mrs. Gail Sherman dressed the part for reading to
Mrs. Bogardus’ 3rd grade class. She is a regular
speaker at our Guest Reader Days and the students
just love to have her visit their classrooms!
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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As the words of the familiar holiday song suggest, It’s
the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
November marks the beginning of the
holiday season: Thanksgiving,
Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the
New Year celebrations. Each of these
holidays has its focus on “thanksgiving.”
It is a time to appreciate the harvest,
enjoy the change of seasons the
Northeast offers, and reflect on how we can help our
neighbors in the community.
Begin this holiday season with Schoharie’s
own community event, taking place on
November 30th and December 1st. Preparations
start with decorating the village on November 17th at 9:00
a.m. The actual event kicks off with the tree lighting ceremony at Lasell Hall, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on
Friday, November 30th, followed by caroling,
holiday singing, and refreshments. On
Saturday, December 1st, activities are planned
from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. Visit that jolly fellow in a red suit (and have your photo taken
too), enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, create some Victorian games or other crafts, get
involved with the fruitcake toss at the Fort,
shop and be entertained by a variety of performers, and
end the day at Schoharie Central Schools with the Depot
Lane Singers holiday concert. There will be something
for everyone. Most activities are free of
charge. For a complete schedule, visit:
www.christmastimeinschoharie.com.
START SHARPENING YOUR
EDGES - SKIING &
SNOWBOARDING IS BACK!
Due to popular demand... the ADVENTURE CLUB SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING PROGRAM IS BACK.
Last year, a bus load of students participated in the program at Hunter
Mountain and LOVED IT!
This year, the Club is making plans for 6 full-day skiing & snowboarding trips – Hunter Mountain and
Plattekill are being considered along with several
other sites. The package will include a combination
of lift ticket (or season pass), lessons, rentals & transportation.
The program will be open to SCS students in grades
6 to 12. Application packets are available in the elementary & high school offices. Completed packets
must be returned to the school by Monday,
November 26th.
More details will be included in the
application packets. An orientation
session will be scheduled in early
December.
Any questions can be directed to Pete Lopez at
295-7476.
PEER MEDIATION TRAINING
On Friday, October 19th Mike Snyder, Ariel
VanDerwerken, Madeleine Carballeira, Emily
Potter, Mariann Dow, Jolita Finch (bottom row),
Chris Spies, Andrew Schultz, Josh Loden, Nicolle
Adams, Matt Davis, and Gus McGiver (top row)
were trained as peer mediators. The students
learned appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, as well as the mediation
process. During the afternoon, trainees finetuned their skills using mock mediations. The student mediators presented the program to all 7th
grade students during the week of November 5th.
The mediation process will be used to resolve minor conflicts among students, help build better communication and prevent issues from escalating. Mediators will help students come up with ideas to resolve their problem and formulate a resolution agreement, which is then signed. Teachers, staff, parents, administrators, counselors or students can request peer mediation.
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EMERGENCY SCHOOL
CLOSINGS
Happy
In the event that schools must be closed or delayed
due to emergency situations - such as severe weather
conditions or problems in one of our schools,
announcements will be listed on:
Thanksgivin g
WGY 810AM
FLY 92.3FM
B 95.5FM
RIVER 99.5FM
CBS Channel 6
ABC Channel 10
NBC Channel 13
Capital News 9
The Times Union
The Post Star
www.wten.com
www.wrgb.com
www.wgy.com
www.schoolclosingnetwork.com
www.schoharieschools.org
In general, when school is closed during the day, all
afternoon and evening functions are also canceled.
Prepaid Lunch Ticket Prices for 2007-08
Elementary
Jr/Sr High
1 Week $8.25
2 Weeks $16.50
5 day ticket $9.50
4 day ticket $7.60
3 day ticket $5.70
2 day ticket $3.80
SCHOHARIE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
P.O. Box 430, 136 Academy Drive
Schoharie, New York 12157
BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. Christian Spies – President
Mark Quandt – Vice President
Shawn Gathen – Trustee
Zachary Reinhart – Trustee
William Schlieder – Trustee
Edie Schultz – Trustee
Carol Wilber – Trustee
Brian D. Sherman – Superintendent of Schools
Robert W. Bonaker – Business Administrator
Car Rt. Sort
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Schoharie,
NY 12157
Permit No. 5
RURAL ROUTE
STAR ROUTE
BOXHOLDER
S .C . S. L UN CH M E NU
S er ve d daily in the El eme ntar y:
• C h i c ke n P a t t y o n W h ol e Wh e a t Rol l
• Pe a n u t B u t t e r & J e l l y Sa n dw i c h
• Ch e f S al a d a nd R o ll
W ee kly S pe cial s wil l be o ffer e d in
t h e H i g h Sc h ool
S er ve d daily:
• 4 cho i ce s o f fru i t s a nd /o r
ve g e t a bl e s
• 5 c h o i c e s o f m i l k: $ . 4 0
1 % c h o c o la t e, 1 % st ra w b e rry ,
w h i t e : wh o le , s k i m , l ow f a t & wh o le
B re a k f a s t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 .0 0
E l e m e n t a r y L u n c h . . . . . . . $1 .6 5
H ig h S c h o o l L un c h . . . . . . . $1 .9 0
Se c o n d E n t re e . . . . . . . . . . $1 .0 0
Sn a c k s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .6 0
Visit Schoharie on the Web at: www.schoharieschools.org
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