SCS to Explore Pre-K for Three-Year-Olds

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Universal pre-kindergarten has been open for four-year-old children for several years and now New York State and local school districts are looking to determine the feasibility of pre-K for three-year-olds.

Schoharie school Superintendent David Blanchard briefed the SCS school board at their December 21 meeting about the opportunity for pre-K classes for three-year-olds. There is space for an additional pre-K class in the elementary school and there may be a need, Mr. Blanchard said.

Research is needed before the district could move toward adding the class, he added. School board members agreed to proceed to see if there is a need in the district. The district will do a survey of parents and the community of the number of three-year-olds and if a pre-K class is needed.

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In other action, board members:

* Accepted the resignation of Samantha Martin as Jr./Sr. High School Science Teacher, effective end of the day on January 17.

* Accepted the resignation of James Abel as Bus Driver, effective retroactive 11/21/23.

* Accepted the resignation of Kim Jones as Full-Time Food Service Helper, effective 12/31/23.

* Accepted the resignation of Jessica DeLaet as Teaching Assistant, effective 02/06/24.

* Accepted the resignation of Vanessa Repicky as Office and Keyboard Worker, effective end of the day on 01/01/24.

* Accepted the resignation of Codie Jones as Part-Time Food Service Helper, effective 01/15/24.

* Approved a leave of absence for Catherine Bikowicz effective on or about 02/10/24 through on or about 04/21/24, using paid and unpaid time.

* Approved a leave of absence for Ashley Hannan, effective on or about 02/23/24 through on or about 04/07/24, using paid and unpaid time.

* Approved a leave of absence for Kristin Eury, effective retroactive to 12/05/23 through on or about 01/01/24.

* Appointed Meghan McCaffrey, as a Part-Time Elementary School Counselor (0.5), Probationary Part-Time, Salary Step 5 (0.5) $25,624 plus (0.5) Guidance Differential in the amount of $1,360 for a Total Salary of $26,984, according to STA Contract, effective 01/02/24.

* Named Alex Kutinsky, as a Custodial Worker, Probationary Full-Time, 10 months, Second Shift, Step 9 $37,195 per SCEA Contract, Second Shift Differential: $642.00, effective 12/22/23.

* Approved Class Size Stipends, according to STA Contract, for the following: Angela Jackson, Correction FROM: $5.55 TOTAL, TO: $39.90 TOTAL for period of 09/06/23 through 10/18/23; Jean Scofield, Correction FROM: $5.55 TOTAL, TO: $39.90 TOTAL for period of 09/06/23 through 10/18/23; Catherine Bikowicz, Correction FROM: $5.55 TOTAL, TO: $39.90 TOTAL for period of 09/06/23 through 10/18/23; Danielle Couture, Correction FROM: $5.18 TOTAL, TO: 37.24 TOTAL for period of 09/06/23 through 10/18/23; and Anthony Monescalchi, Correction FROM: $5.18 TOTAL, TO: $37.24 for period of 09/06/23 through 10/18/23.

Approved additional Period Stipends for 2023-24 School Year, for: Adriene Bush - 8th Grade Fundamental Math Class - (1.0) $8,000 per STA Contract.

* Approved a Memorandum of Agreement - STA - Environmental Stewards Club, per stated terms and conditions.

* Named the following Class/Club Advisors, effective 2023-24 School Year: Eric Croote, Outdoors Club Advisor, Stipend per STA MOA, $1,550; Amy Church - Assistant Musical Director, Stipend per STA Contract, $2,330; and Katie Reynolds - Musical Assistant (0.5), Stipend per STA Contract, $855.

* Added the following people to the SCS Substitute List, at current sub rates, effective 12/22/23 unless otherwise stated: Katherine Phelan - Non-Certified With Degree; Chloe Thalheimer - Non-Certified w/out Degree; Ellen Richter - RN - Certified w/out Degree; Haley Drinon - Non-Certified w/out Degree, effective retroactive to 12/18/23; Caleb Phelan - Non-Certified With Degree, pending fingerprint clearance;Michael Beadling - Non-Certified With Degree, effective retroactive to 12/21/23; Brenda Bradshaw - Food Service - Non-Certified w/out Degree; and Nicholas Sisson - Food Service - Non-Certified w/out Degree.

* Added seven people to the Capital Region BOCES Teacher Substitute Calling Service List, at current sub rates, effective 12/22/23.