Helen Roberts signs documents officially starting her sixth term on the Sharon Springs School Board as Superintendent/Principal Thomas Yorke looks on. Photo by Chris English.
By Chris English
SHARON SPRINGS — A life dedicated in large part to public education entered its next chapter at the Monday, July 8 Sharon Springs School Board reorganizational meeting.
Helen Roberts signed documents officially kicking off her sixth five-year term on the board and was also again selected by fellow members as board president.
"About two years ago I had decided not to run again," Roberts said after the meeting. "My husband had been quite ill. Then he passed away and I changed my mind and decided to keep going. I enjoy it. My husband and I are both alumni of this school and our children all went through here.
"I've lived here my entire life except for four years at college. School means a lot to me. I want what is best for all the kids in our community. This is my community and I wanted to continue serving it."
Roberts was the only board member up for reelection in 2024. At the July 8 meeting, Christine Cornwell was selected board vice president and also for the Transportation, Building and Grounds and Site Based/Building Project Committees. Brandi Kerber will serve on the Schoharie County School Boards Executive Committee and Rose Chase on the Occupational Education Advisory (BOCES) and Safety Committees. Sofia Issa was selected for the Audit Committee.
Roberts will be the voting delegate at the NYSSBA Convention and Issa the alternate. The board approved alcohol, drugs and other substances; required immunizations; non-resident student; investment; partial tax exemption for persons 65 and older; internal audit, homework and use of school facilities policies as they stand, with review throughout the year.
Substitute teacher pay was established at $135 a day for certified personnel, $110 a day for non-certified personnel and $120 a day for non-certified personnel with a four-year college degree. Substitute bus drivers will be paid $20 an hour, substitute custodians, school lunch helpers, aides and office employees the hourly minimum wage of $15 and a certified substitute registered nurse $130 a day.
Among 24 appointments was one appointing the firm of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. as the school district's attorney. Official depositories for school district assets were designated as NBT Bank, Sharon Springs; Bank of Richmondville; Key Bank; First Chicago Trust Company of New York; Chase Manhattan Bank and NY Class. The board also adopted the free and reduced lunch program for 2024-25.
In a brief regular business meeting that followed the reorganizational meeting, the board approved a contract for this school year with the district's financial advisor, RG Timbs, Inc. Members also voted to open a public hearing on the 2024-25 district-wide safety plan. It can be viewed on the school district website, sharonsprings.org and there is 30 days for public comment. The board then plans to vote on adopting the plan at the Aug. 26 meeting.
In personnel moves, Rachel Ferreira as approved for a 0.4 Animal Science probationary teaching position, Isabella Warner for a full-time equivalent tenure track Vocal Music teaching position and Arthur O'Hanlon for a substitute cleaner position.
Three coaches were approved for fall sports where Sharon Springs will field combined teams with its neighboring school district Cherry Valley/Springfield. Cyle Conley will coach boys varsity soccer, Randi Korona girls varsity soccer and Tammy Behr girls modified soccer. Sam Bonderoff will coach the Sharon Springs boys modified soccer team.
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