CRCS Hosts Candidate Speeches

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - While the CRCS budget vote for 2025-2026 is fast approaching on May 20th, voters will also choose their representatives for the Board of Education, and each candidate was given the option to speak at the latest public hearing on Monday.

All four were sorted at random to how they would appear on the poll, and they were each asked to give an introduction and why they were interested in running for a seat on the Board.

The first to address the public was Amy Kennedy, resident of Cobleskill since 2018 and an active volunteer in the district.

“I learned from my mother that service to the community is very important,” she said, noting that she has worked as a substitute teacher, a library aid, and a volunteer for book fairs, concerts, and picture days.

“I’m worried about our school district and our funding and how some students are not at their learning level for reading or math,” she continued. “I worry a lot, but I’m constantly thinking of how to make things better.

“I have a unique perspective because I’ve done so many different roles here at the district, and I would love to be an awesome Board member for you guys,” Mrs. Kennedy concluded.

The next candidate was Max Horning, a music teacher that was born and raised in Cobleskill and is now a music teacher at Sharon.

Mr. Horning stated that he’s wrangled his fair share of students in the past, saying “I’m no stranger to a little chaos, and I enjoy turning that chaos into harmony.”

He also said that working out of the district would be to his benefit, explaining “The problems facing CRCS are not unique, but seeing how another district handles these things gives me a unique position.”

“I’m not afraid to vote no to changes that might hurt our students. Good teachers might not have all the answers, and I certainly won’t, but I’m willing to listen to the people who might,” Mr. Horning finished.

The third speaker was Jason Gagnon, the incumbent candidate on the Board who’s running for his second term and has close ties with the district through his wife and children.

“I’m not limited to my own experiences and my own children,” Mr. Gagnon began. “I’m hearing everybody and I take all of their concerns very seriously.”

“I’m running again because I want to give every student all the tools they need to succeed and all the teachers the voice they need. I’m not afraid to be the 6-1 voice that votes no based on what I’ve heard.”

Finally, the last candidate was Sarah Nies, the youngest of thirteen children that holds strong family values and is currently a mental health professional with the county.

“My mom was very involved with us, and my dad would work on his paintings while making it out to his kids’ games, and there were a lot,” she said. “I took their example and ran with it.”

Mrs. Nies holds a New York State license for mental health counseling and is seated on committees at the county level to advocate for mental hygiene.

“I am seeking a seat on the Board because I believe I can bring value to it. I have experience with budgets and oversight, and I believe that every student deserves a high quality education,” she concluded.

Once all the speakers were finished, they received applause and well-wishes from the Board. The public will have the opportunity to vote their candidate to the Board during the budget vote on May 20th.