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SCS Parent Suggests Buildings Should Open Earlier for Students

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 12/6/24 | 12/6/24

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - For the first time in weeks, it rained hard and long in the region. Unfortunately for students in the area, some of the heaviest rain was in the morning as they were going to school.

Parent Jody DeJong, who is also a librarian at Middleburgh high school, asked Schoharie school board members earlier this month to have the schools open before 7:55am to let students in.

Ms. DeJong, who is also with the SCS Booster Club, said students had to stand in the pouring rain and that is "not the way to start the day." She wondered if officials could open the buildings 10 minutes earlier to let the children in so they could stay out of the rain.

She noted that the change could also help with the flow of traffic in the parking lot.

Board members listened to the suggestions and had no comments.

*   *   *

In other action last week, school board members:

* Accepted the resignation of Samantha Bellinger as Senior Account Clerk-Typist, District Tax Collector, and Deputy District Treasurer.

* Accepted the resignation of Jolene Mercer as Bus Driver.

* Accepted the resignation of Kristin Eury as  Part-Time Food Service Helper.

* Appointed Amanda Maland as Deputy Treasurer, at no additional compensation, effective November 22 through June 30, 2025.

*Named Bret Fancher as a High School Long-Term Substitute, Salary Step 18 $72,182 according to STA Contract, through 06/27/25.

* Named Isis Brown as a Probationary Full-Time Teacher Aide, Step 3 $18,720 per SCEA Contract.

* Appointed Bettina Fonda as a Probationary Part-Time Teacher Aide, Step 3 $16.08/hour per SCEA Contract.

* Named Hannah Vedder, as Probationary Full-Time Teacher Aide, Step 2 $18,595 per SCEA Contract.

* Named Lisa Roy as Bus Driver, Step 13 $28.82/hour per SCEA Contract, Bus Run - In District.

* Approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the STA and Michele Borst, for reimbursement Processing for Medicaid Services, per stated terms and conditions for the 2024-25 school year.

* Added the following to the SCS substitute list:

12.  Additions to the SCS Substitute List, at current sub rates: Logan Esposito - Non-Certified, effective retroactive to 10/31/24, Olivia Bryant - Non-Certified, effective retroactive to 11/15/24, and Braelynn Sisson - Non-Certified, effective 11/22/24.

* Added six people to Capital Region BOCES Teacher Substitute Calling Service List, at current sub rates, effective 11/22/24.

* Approved a motion to change the salary of Mackenzie Barton to Step 1, $47,634, per the STA contract, effective retroactive to October 22.

* Approved additional stipend for the school year for: Mitchell Barton for global history and geography I, $8,000 per STA contract, retroactive to November 12, and Ron Mastin, global history and geography I, $8,000, per STA contract, retroactive to November 12.

* Heard teacher Michelle Haverly outline happening int he two schools including: the 10th grade going to Philadelphia, first graders voting in their own presidential election, a pet day in the fifth grade, first graders making poppies for Veterans Day, and pre-kindergartners making pumpkin volcanoes in science class.


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SCS Readies for Next Budget Year

SCHOHARIE -  Schoharie school officials are getting ready to start constructing the 2025-26 district budget.

School board members last week adopted the 2025-26 school budget calendar.

The budget calendar includes:

* November 21: Board Meeting: 2025-26 Budget Development Calendar approved by the Board of Education.

* November and December: meetings with administrators and supervisors and distribution of budget guidelines and associated budget development tools; Initial requests for 2025-26 budget provided to Superintendent and Business Administrator.

* January 16, 2025: Board meeting: presentation of updated long-range financial plan.

* January (tbd): New York State Governor’s Budget Proposal for State Aid during 2025-26 made available to School Districts.

* February 13: Board Meeting: presentation of preliminary 2025-26 budget.

* March 1: Submission of calculation of 2025-26 Tax Levy Limit to the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

* March 20: Board Meeting: Presentation of tentative 2025-26 budget.

* April 2: Publication of first of four Legal Notices of School Budget Hearing (May 6, 2025) and Budget Vote (May 20, 2025).

* April (tbd): State Legislature Adopts 2025-26 State Budget, including preliminary estimates of aid to education.

* April 21: School Board candidate nominating petitions due in District Clerk’s office by 5PM (30 days preceding budget vote).

* April 22: Date of drawing by District Clerk for determination of order for listing Board Candidates on Election Ballot.

* April 23: Board Meeting: presentation of Revised Tentative 2025-26 Budget, leading to adoption of Proposed 2025-26 Budget; Approval of Propositions; Approval of Property Tax Report Card.

* April 24: Submission of Property Tax Report Card to New York State Education Department.

* April 29: Budget Newsletter finalized and sent to printing company.

* April 29: Budget Statement and required attachments made available.

* May 6: Public hearing on proposed 2025-26 Budget.

* May 7: Budget notice and newsletter mailed to eligible voters after the budget hearing, but no later than six days prior to the vote.

* May 20: Annual meeting. Date of voting by eligible residents on 2025- 26 budget; propositions; members of the Board of Education: Noon to 8PM.

* May 20: Board of Education meeting: Board accepts election results after polls close and results are announced.

* June 17: Statewide Budget Revote Day (if necessary).

* June 18: Voter-approved 2025-26 budget finalized and implemented


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SCS Solar Project May be On Line by Next Spring

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Despite cold and snowy conditions, major work should be done on the Schoharie Central School solar project this month.

The road to the project in the "lower 40" has been installed and significant work by mid-December should be completed, SCS Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their November 21 meeting.

All the foundations and structures are going in for the panels, followed by the panels themselves, he said. The project will not be on-line until at least next April when the connecting wiring will be installed.

Once completed, the 148 kilowatt project should save SCS about $150,000 in electric costs, Mr. Blanchard said. The district is also eligible for numerous government rebates.

The solar field is to be built on one acre behind the track in the "lower 40."  The total cost of the EPC was $2,750,000.

The project is part of the district's $25.9 million building project that was approved by voters in May 2022. The district looked at either putting more solar panels on building roofs or on the back property before making a decision.

National Grid has provided 90 percent of the cost for the building of the electric vehicles stations. Any revenue would go to the district. Each station would have two chargers each. The stations were installed last summer and operational by the time school started. Two of the stations were built by the construction area and the rest near the bus garage.

The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.


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Seeking Nominations for Person of the Year

We’re seeking nominations for our annual persons of the year. Next month we’ll announce our person of the year each for Schoharie, Delaware, and Greene Counties, as well as our overall regional person of the year. We’ll also offer special mentions, including for lifetime achievement.

Have a person who stands out? Let us know! Send us just the name or info about them we can publish as a letter to the editor below!

Send us your feedback to: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com, via call or text at 518-763-6854 or mail it to us at:

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 162

Schoharie NY 12157

or 

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 278

Stamford NY 12167


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Today is Conglomerate Day in Middleburgh

MIDDLEBURGH - Members of the Middleburgh village board Monday honored one of the oldest businesses as they designated Friday, December 6th, 2024, as Conglomerate Day in celebration of the small business and its dedicated owner Patty Eddy-Beal and her husband Rich Beal. This designation coincides with this year’s Miracle on Main Street festivities.

Introduced by Mayor Timothy Knight and unanimously approved by his colleagues at Monday night’s monthly board meeting, the resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #17-2024 – Establishing December 6, 2024, as “Conglomerate Day”

"Whereas, The Conglomerate is a local business of note in the Village of Middleburgh in the State of New York, presently located at 331 Main Street; and Whereas, The Conglomerate has continuously served Middleburgh and the surrounding community since being established more than thirty years ago by providing excellent customer service and high-quality products to local residents; and Whereas, Patty Eddy-Beal and Rich Beal has supported the local community through altruistic endeavors – particularly in the administration and oversight of the Miracle on Main Street event as part of the Renaissance Council’s leadership – that have made a positive impact

on the Village of Middleburgh. Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Village of Middleburgh, New York, in recognition of The Conglomerate and all its contributions to our community, has established December 6, 2024, as “Conglomerate Day,” and furthermore, Be it Resolved, that this Village of Middleburgh Board of Trustees thanks Patty Eddy-Beal and Rich Beal for being a leader of the Village’s small

business community."


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Upcoming Events at Conkling Hall

R’ville Annual Holiday Concert

Come to join us for the annual Hamlet Holiday Concert featuring Village Voices and Friends. Enjoy a variety of musical performances.

Saturday, 12/7 at 6:30 PM

Admission free. Donations are appreciated.

Go to https://www.conklinghall.org/events for more information.

Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville.

Winter Solstice Soundbath

Experience the magic of the winter solstice with our immersive soundbath celebration presented by Wisdom Roots Wellness. Sign up by emailing info@wisdomrootswellness.com.

Saturday, 12/19 at 7 PM

Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing.

Donations will be welcomed.

Go to https://www.conklinghall.org/events for more information.


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Local Historians Discuss History of Wright, Gallupville

By Bradley Towle

GALLUPVILLE — On Saturday, November 23rd, Town of Wright “lifers” Jim Plue, Chris Claus, Don Van Steele, Jim Wolford, Richard Sherman, Dave Pelepzuck, and Mark Soltzenburg gathered at the Gallupville House for a recorded look back at the town’s history. The roundtable was the brainchild of Gallupville House neighbor Curt Van Steele. Van Steele recorded audio and video, which he will edit and ultimately donate copies to the Town of Wright Historical Society and the Schoharie County Historical Society. 

There were many laughs as the seven men looked back on shared memories and bygone eras of the Wright community as they discussed youthful mischief, summer jobs, local legends, and more. Jim Plue expressed his regret at chopping up a ’57 Chevy at the age of 13 to make a Doodlebug. Richard Sherman recalled joining the Gallupville Fire Department so he could have access to their pool table at 16. They all marveled at the number of businesses that had existed at one time, now long since gone. “There was a lot of commerce in this town,” said one of the men as they recalled the tin smiths, meat markets, gas stations, farms, a funeral parlor, and more. 

All of the men agreed with Jim Plue’s assessment of the arrival of television on the community, particularly The Gallupville House, which they remembered as the central area for the community to gather, a gathering spot impacted by televisions in homes. “I’m not convinced it was a benefit,” said Plue. 

Chris Claus noted that summer reruns also meant a return to community gatherings. Sherman remembered the floor of the Gallupville House bouncing during square dances. They remembered ice skating parties at Echo Pond, signaled by a large bonfire with hot chocolate from “Grandma Westfall.” 

There was talk of softball leagues at Bogardus’s Grove and pickup softball games behind the firehouse with neighborhood kids of all ages (required to complete a roster). 

Looming large over the talk was the presence of Chet Zimmer. They recalled the chicken farmer and historian for his generosity, curiosity, and ingenuity. Zimmer had employed many at one time or another, and it was apparent on this Saturday morning in 2024 that his influence could still be felt in town. It’s likely that a history project, like Curt Van Steele’s would have been right up Zimmer’s alley. The event was open to the public. 


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Village of M'burgh Organizes for 2025

MIDDLEBURGH - Village of Middleburgh board members Monday got ready for 2025 by approving a late of appointments and designations for next year. Most remain the same as the current year.

Board members Monday:

* Named Trustee Adams as deputy mayor.

* Appointed Trustee Bob Tinker as commissioner of water and sewer.

* Named Trustees Amanda Fernandez and Kevin Young as commissioners of parks.

* Named Trustee Tinker as commissioner of the cemetery.

* Appointed Trustee Fernandez as commissioner of public safety.

* Appointed Trustee Adams as commissioners of highways, sidewalks, and parking.

* Named Mayor Knight as commissioner of communications.

* Named Trustee Young as commissioner of technology.

* Named Trustee Tinker as commissioner of street lights.

* Appointed Rebecca Kelley as deputy clerk.

* Named Clerk Melanie Laraway as collector of taxes.

* Named Mayor Knight and Ms. Laraway as budget officers.

* Designated NBT Bank, the Bank of Richmondville, and National Bank of Coxsackie as official depositories.

* Appointed Fred Mauhs as village attorney.

* Named Steve Lamont as Matthew Avitabile as village historians.

* Designated the Mountain Eagle as newspaper of record.

* Named Trustee Fernandez, citizens Ed McBain and Joe Pack, and Mayor Knight as an alternate as representatives to the Youth Commission.

* Named Trustee Tinker as representative to the Revitalization committee.

* Named Trustees Adams and Young as representatives to zoning rewrite committee.

* Appointed Trustee Young as representative to the planning board.

* Named Trustee Tinker as representative to the Historical Society.

* Named Mayor Knight and Trustee Adams as representatives to the Oktoberfest Association.

* Named Ms. Laraway as deputy registrar of vital statistics.

* Designated the DPW superintendent, fire chief and mayor as emergency management officers.

* Named Frederick "Rick" Fink as building inspector and Lloyd Stannard as deputy building inspector.

* Named Mayor Knight as director puf public housing.

* Appointed Trustee Trustees Adams and Fernandez as business and MABA liaisons.

* Designated Delaware Engineering as the village engineer.

* Named Thomas Gruning, chairman, Charles Ingraham, and Teresa Norfolk, and Charles Rozumalski as alternate to the Ethics Committee.

* Designated DPW superintendent Cole Keyser and deputy DPW superintendent Mark Czyszczon as safety coordinators.

* Named the mayor, the clerk-treasurer, the fire chief, and DPW superintendent to the safety committee.

* Named Trustees Tinker and Adams to the personnel committee.

* Named Mayor Knight as marriage officer.


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Winter Weather Updates at MCS

MIDDLEBURGH - As the snowy months approach, the Middleburgh Central School would like to remind parents and students how you will receive notice if school will be operating under a delay or will be closed due to inclement weather. The district will contact you through Parent Square if there are any changes in the daily school schedule. Information will also be posted on our website and shared with local media outlets.

Safety is their number one priority in determining how to respond to winter storms. Additional factors that they consider include:

Timing – Keeping an eye on the clock is critical. A decision must be made before buses leave to pick up students, students head out to bus stops or begin walking to school, and parents, students and staff start driving to school. 

Road conditions – Winter storms can make for messy road conditions, and the severity of those conditions may vary within district boundaries. While some parts of a district may have little snow and clear roads, another area could get pummeled, slowing road crews as they work to clear roads for safe travel. All roads need to be passable for buses to begin their routes. 

Scheduled events – On any school day, there are planned events that would need to be canceled or rescheduled if school is closed, such as after-school activities, sporting events, field trips, exams, assemblies and presentations and classroom lessons and activities. 

School calendar – New York state requires districts to meet a required number of instructional hours per school year. If school closures cause a district to dip below that requirement, vacations might be shortened or the school year extended. 

Delay/early release – These options allow for some flexibility to deal with the timing of a storm and still have an instructional day. 

Please remember that neighboring districts have differing needs and challenges when determining the best options during inclement weather.


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Obituary - John Richard Butler

John Richard Butler, born in 1935 in Stillwater, NY, died Tuesday, November 26, 2024 after a brief illness. 

John formerly resided in Syracuse, NY, Macungie, PA and, since 1980, in Stamford, NY. In his home known to family as “The Hotel” he and his peerless friend, partner and wife of 56 years, Mary Jane, raised 4 children and welcomed 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. 

John’s values and expectations for himself and others were known to all; apply yourself to the task at hand, use the right tool for the job and do right by others. In all his endeavors he prioritized duty: to family, to community, and to country. 

John was a steady nurturing presence, a natural leader and a constant teacher. To his large extended family he was beloved for readily reaching out to lend a hand or offer support. In his community he was a reliable volunteer with the Boy Scouts, with CORE Values thrift store, for his Sacred Heart Catholic Church parish and with his Rotary Club.

John was a highly involved member of Rotary International for 50 years both in Kutztown, PA and Stamford. John was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. He engaged with every event Rotary held but his favorites were the International Student Exchange Program, the Youth Leadership program, Brook’s Chicken barbecues and his passion was for the Car Show held at the Rexmere Hotel. He rarely showed his own 1955 Ford Thunderbird but he’d roll up driving it in a real car buff flex. While living in Pennsylvania he was a founding member of the Lehigh Valley Thunderbird Club.

John served honorably in the US Army in 1957. He was stationed overseas, in Hawaii, which was not yet a state. 40 years later he returned to that post to visit his daughter who was herself stationed there as a nurse with the US Army. John was a coordinator for Treats for Troops sending care packages to deployed soldiers during the Gulf Wars. 

John’s working days stretched from the time he was an entrepreneurial boy selling dandelions to an octogenarian overseeing million dollar properties. Along the way John was a farmer, a factory worker, a Teamster, a teacher, a cattleman, a principal and a home inspector. John was very proud of his Irish immigrant forebears and he valued hard work and perseverance. John’s mother showed her children that education was a path out of rural poverty and they followed it. John took degrees from Hudson Valley Community College, the State University of New York at Oswego and Syracuse University. He tirelessly inspired and counseled others to do the same.

His career as an educator and administrator led him to the Northern Catskills Occupational Center, a vocational school in Grand Gorge run by New York’s Board of Cooperative Educational Services. As Director for 15 years he promoted this public school system of education and training that regional nurses, cooks, mechanics and tradespeople use to make their livings. He loved finding his students out in the community in their chosen fields and proudly employed their services.

John was a great student of American history. He and Mary Jane enjoyed family trips to historic sites across America whether they be battle sites, Presidential homes or National Parks. He was moved by visits to World War II sites during European tours and cruises. He had a beautiful experience traveling to Honduras on a mission trip with Peg Vamosy. He read biographies of the great men of history and gamely listened while his wife, daughters and granddaughters filled him in on the great women. He and his son spent many enjoyable hours talking about the New England Patriots, the Syracuse Orange, the Boston Red Sox, Steph Curry, Patrick Mahomes and the role that Schoharie’s own Timothy Murphy played at the Battle of Saratoga.

Our Papa was a witty, clever family man who loved us deeply. He challenged us, he taught us valuable lessons, he made us laugh until we cried. We endeavor to incorporate his best practices and his idiosyncratic jargon into our own families and take care of people the way he did. 

John is predeceased by his parents William and Margaret Butler, brother James Butler, sister Mary Keohane, first wife Anne Farnan Butler, infant daughter Mary and eldest daughter Karen Butler Schultz. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Whelan Butler, daughter Beth Salvato (David), son Richard Butler (Stephanie) daughter Susan Doyle (Brian), son in law Vincent Schultz, grandchildren Alexander Kaiser (Chase) Erin Rose O’Bleness (Dalton), Jason Schultz, Luke Schultz, Marie Butler, Kate Butler, Aria Salvato, Maysie Doyle, great grandson Theodore Kaiser, sisters Theresa Dooher (Jim), and Dorothy Butler, sister in law Alice Whelan, brother in law Tom Farnan, sisters in law Joan Campbell and Carol Reynolds (Leo), and his many nieces and nephews. 

Calling hours will be from 3PM-6PM  on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford, NY.  A funeral Mass will celebrated at 11AM on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Sacred Heart Church, Harper Street Stamford. Burial with military honors will be at 1PM on Friday, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY. 

If anyone wishes, a donation in John’s name may be made to the USO or Habitat for Humanity.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with John’s family. 


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MURAL Art Gallery Group Show Opening Reception a Success

HOBART — The Nov. 16 MURAL Art Gallery Small Works Group Show reception was a success. The show is continuing through Dec. 8. There are Beautiful handmade gifts and professional works by local artists available for sale at a range of accessible pricing at MURAL located at 631 Main Street, Hobart.  

The Small Works Group Show features over two dozen local artists with paintings, photographs, collage, small sculptures, textile works and more. Hand crafted objects for the home or works to beautify any space are available for purchase. Gallery Hours: Sat/Sun 12-4pm

The Small Works Group Show features :

Susana Caban

Tracy Jacknow

Bobbi Goldman

Rhonda Harrow

Susan Rochmis

Larry Engel

Jill Tannone

Victor Mullen

Judy Thuss

Ursula Bower

Rose Mackiewicz

Timothy Maxim

Oneida Hammond

Charles Bremer

Barb Palmer

Toni Layden-Rogers

James Litaker

Jess Mederos

Liz Miles

Levon Rogers

Kimberly Whritner

Andrea Donaghy

Susan Riesen

Megan Avery

Jack Johnson



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Email: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com
Fax: 607-652-5253
Mail: The Mountain Eagle / PO Box 162 / Schoharie NY 12157

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