Veteran CRCS Board Member Retires

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - On Monday evening, the CRCS Board of Education gave a warm farewell and sincere regards to one of their oldest members, Mary Black.

According to Board President Bruce Tryon, Mrs. Black has served on the Board since 2013, and in her twelve years of service to the community, she’s passed down both her knowledge and her kindness to her coworkers.

“This is very bittersweet,” President Tryon began. “Me and Mary have worked together over twelve years, and she is obviously a very strong and contributing member to the Board of Education here.”

“Behind the scenes, Mary does a lot of work that people don’t see, and we greatly appreciate that. Through the years, the most important thing I’ve gained through working with Mary is that I’ve cherished her friendship,” he continued.

Superintendent Matthew Sickles also offered his own sentiments, saying “I’ve had the honor and the pleasure to work with you over the last few years, and I certainly wish you congratulations.”

Both Superintendent Sickles and President Tryon presented Mrs. Black with a certificate of appreciation that detailed her commitment to the school district, and offered one last word of thanks.

“On behalf of the entire Board and community and the CRCS school district, we thank you for your service,” President Tryon concluded.

The newest Board member to fill Mrs. Black’s shoes will be seated next month, as will the newly mandated student Board member, as the state-wide law goes into effect on July 1st.

Brett Barr, the principal of the high school, gave the Board an overview of the election process for the student member that took place last month.

He noted that each interested student had to mimic the methods of how the other Board members were elected, requiring a petition with at least twenty five signatures to get onto the ballot.

With the results of the election in, Principal Barr revealed that the candidate voted as the student member is rising senior Patrick Mallard, who was described as academically excellent with involvement in the FBLA, National Honors Society, and track.

The alternate to Mr. Mallard will be Danielle Hughes, who also enjoys challenging herself, taking agriculture classes while balancing music and athletics, and who is also part of the FBLA and National Honors Society.

Superintendent Sickles explained that he will be reaching out to both students for a quick onboarding process, after which the Board will welcome them to the table next month.