Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

It's that time of year again for some Snow Drags. Royal Mountain Ski Area has three Renegade Racing Series events currently on their 2024-2025 calendar. Saturday, December 14, Saturday, January 25, and Saturday, March 1. Sign-in is from 4:00 pm. until 6:00 pm., with test passes at 6:00 pm., and racing at 7:00 pm. Royal Mountain has snow making equipment, so if the weather stays cold they should be able to produce plenty of snow to build a great surface. Their address is 3072 St. Hwy. 10 Caroga Lake, N.Y. 12032.

 Indoor tower rentals are available for the New Year's Day, 100-lap $500 minimum to win Enduro racing at Utica-Rome Speedway on Rt. 5 in Vernon. Tower rentals include 20 passes, food, and beverages inside a heated tower room (rooftop access available) Total cost is $1,500. To reserve a tower send an email to uticaromespdwy@gmail.com.

Crate 602 sportsman driver Brendan Gibbons is going 358 modified racing in 2025. Plans currently call for Brendan to follow the DIRTcar 358 modified Series, along with area races at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Fonda Speedway, and Utica-Rome Speedway.

.During last Saturday's Racing Memories program at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Some welcome information to come from the presentation was in regard to Fonda Speedway. Promotor Brett Deyo mentioned that one of the next improvements that would be hopefully taking place at the historic Track of Champions would be some much needed refurbishing of the Iconic covered grandstand. Deyo also stated that he is planning to hold at least one modified division race at the Brookfield Speedway in 2025.

 A new item available to race teams/drivers is 1:24 scale models of their modified and sportsman division race car. DKM Fabrications is currently in the process of creating these models under the name of DMN KOOL Models. The models are not presently available to the public for the time being, but that may eventually change.

 The Ranch at Carlisle is scheduled to host the AMA-NYS Ice Racing Championship on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at their 442 Lykers Road Central Bridge facility. There are numerous divisions/classes available to compete in.

 Look for modified driver Cody Clark to be in the late model division field at area tracks in 2025. Cody recently took possession of a crate 604 late model.

 When looking for activities to do in the off season there are a number locations within a short driving distance that offer a warm, dry, and handicap accessible place to enjoy motor vehicle related history. The Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs is a multi level facility with various exhibits and displays of automobiles from a variety of formats.

 The Northeast Dirt Modified Museum and Hall of Fame in Weedsport, N.Y. is located on the property of the Weedsport Speedway, A large amount of race driven cars and memorabilia from both northeast dirt and asphalt tracks fill this one level building.

 The Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich has over 200 cars, motorcycles, and airplane related items on display inside of their one level complex. And the Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburgh has over 600 motorcycles and pieces of memorabilia for your viewing pleasure. If

you are having a difficult time deciding what to buy for anyone on your shopping list, all of these great locations also offer one day tickets, memberships, and merchandise.

 In some last minute news the Malta Town Board made no decision on Monday night  in regard to the redevelopment of the property where the Albany-Saratoga Speedway is located. A vote was taken of board members which ended in a deadlock. The motion was tabled for now with the developer asking for a workshop to continue discussions.

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SCS Elementary School Principal Leaving in Jan. - Schoharie Seeking Interim for Remainder of Year

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - After 10 years as principal at Schoharie elementary school Andrea Polikoski is returning to her home district.

Ms. Polikoski has accepted the position as the principal of Glen-Worden Elementary School in the Scotia-Glenville Central School District and will be leaving Schoharie on January 2. SCS received Mrs. Polikoski’s resignation letter on November 19 appointment by the Scotia-Glenville Board of Education. 

Mrs. Polikoski spent a decade at Schoharie as the elementary principal. Under her leadership, numerous programs to improve academic performance, student wellness and the school’s climate were implemented, district officials said. She also played a key role in the district’s initial response to the pandemic, as well as the school years that followed as the district strove to maintain as much normalcy as possible, while keeping students and staff safe.

SCS Superintendent David Blanchard, who has also been at SCS for 10 years, thanks Ms. Polikoski for her time at Schoharie at the school board's November 21 meeting.

"She did a great job for us. We thank her for her service," Mr. Blanchard said.

“We sincerely thank Andrea for her long-time leadership of the Elementary School. We wish her the best as she transitions to her new district. We will keep staff and families updated as more information becomes available on the vacancy created by Andrea’s departure,” Mr. Blanchard added.

For Mrs. Polikoski, her departure from Schoharie also means a move to the community in which her family resides. 

“When I arrived in Schoharie I established expectations for the elementary school. ‘Be a community’ was one of my top four. It represents the importance that we work, live, and play together in a productive and kind society,” Mrs. Polikoski said on the district website. “I am grateful for the people I’ve met during my work at Schoharie Elementary School, and know they are on the path to academic excellence and kindness.”

Mr. Blanchard noted that Kevin Calacone had spent nine years as high school principal before leaving for another position last year.

Those lengths of time at one district says a lot about Schoharie Central School, Mr. Blanchard noted.

Schoharie will be seeking an interim principal to serve out the remainder of the school year, Mr. Blanchard said Thursday. It would be difficult to find a permanent principal since the opening came in the middle of the school year.

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Bartons Return as SCS B'ball Coaches - Carley Ryan to Coach Girls' Varsity

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - The father and son team of Shane and Mitchell Barton will be returning as coaches of the Schoharie Storm boys' basketball team after a successful season last year.

School board members last week named them as co-coaches for the upcoming winter season. Board members appointed Shane Barton as co-coach at a stipend of $3,450 and Mitchell Barton was appointed at a stipend of $2,010. The salaries are per the current STA contract.

Board members also named the following winter coaches:

* Carley Ryan, Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach, at a stipend of $4200.

* Marissa McCormick-Waters, Girls Modified/JV Basketball Volunteer Assistant, Volunteer.

* Tammy Drinon, Girls JV/Varsity Basketball Volunteer Assistant, Volunteer.

* Anthony Monescalchi, Boys JV Basketball Head Coach, $3,140.

* Samantha Smith, Girls JV Basketball Head Coach, $2,790.

* Terry Minton, Girls JV/Varsity Basketball Volunteer Assistant, Volunteer.

* Jeremy Karker, Boys Modified Basketball Head Coach, $3,210.

* James Foland, Girls Modified Basketball Head Coach, $1,630.

* Louis Toro, Boys Modified/JV/Varsity Basketball Program Volunteer Assistant, Volunteer.

* Isabella Santandrea, Varsity Cheerleading Head Coach, $2,410.

* Ed Labadia, Varsity Bowling Head Coach, $2,350.

* Carolyn Strauch, Bowling Volunteer Assistant, Volunteer.

*   *   *

In other action, board members:

* Established the updated non-resident tuition rates for the current school year.

* Accepted the following donations: $2,600 from CARRT, Inc., for the Youth in Need of School Fund, and paintings from Sal Medak and Vesna Lovsin.

* Declared a list of fixed assets as surplus/obsolete.

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Bates Hollow Christmas Service Tomorrow

PRESTON HOLLOW — The Annual BATES CHURCH CHRISTMAS GATHERING will happen on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH AT 5:00 PM.  

Please join us in the Historic Bates Church, 165 years young, to celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas gathering. All are welcome to sing a song, read a poem, or do a dance...  The Christmas Story will be presented, old hymns & songs will be sung. There's even talk of a big guy in a red suit making a guest appearance!  

Bates Church is located in Preston/Potter Hollow. PS: bring a flashlight! 

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Christmas Coming to M'burgh Friday

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH -The Christmas season is coming to the Schoharie Valley this week as holiday events begin on Friday in Middleburgh.

The 26th annual Miracle on Main Street will be held Friday from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Stores and eateries will be open late for tastings and Christmas shopping. They will be live animals, reindeer, and parking at the elementary school with a tractor shuttle. 

In addition it will be the community tree lighting, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, student and club performances, caroling princesses, open air music, a petting zoo, a Candy, Cane train, artists and vendors, museum tours, the Grinch and even "Soups-A-Bubblin'" on Main Street.

Miracles abound for this annual Charles Dickens-like event. Dashing into the Christmas season with a blizzard of excitement, this popular event grows with each passing year not only in the hearts of this community but from afar as well. The merriment has spread over the years to include businesses on Wells and Railroad Avenues, Chestnut Lane and Clauverwie Road, and along with Main Street. You can pick up special gifts for loved ones or grab a meal at one of the amazing local restaurants with extended hours. There are many free offerings including a visit with our beloved Santa, a petting zoo, the Candy Cane Express train, and an extra special treat, Santa's LIVE reindeer. Businesses and vendors sell everything from gifts to soups.

This event is organized by the Middleburgh Area Business Association (MABA).

Chestnut Lane will closed that evening to the parking lot behind the Catholic Church for festivities.

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Christmas in Schoharie to Bring Holiday Cheer Saturday - Parade, Bed Races, Santa, Tree Lighting to Highlight the Day

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - A Western-themed parade, bed races, anta, cookies, songs and much more will highlight the annual Christmas in Schoharie celebration Saturday.

The day will start with breakfast with Santa at the Schoharie fire house at 114 Ford Road from 8 to 11 AM. There will also be ornament decorating, a coloring contest and sing-alongs.

Other events include a vendor craft fair at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church on Main Street in Schoharie from 9 AM to 3 PM and a live nativity at the Presbyterian Church from 5 PM to 7 PM. There will also be a western trick roping showing near the Village courtyard at noon, 2 PM, and 3 PM. The bed races will be in the County parking lot at 1 PM. A soup stroll on Main Street will be from 2 to 5 PM. A scavenger hunt will be held in the village from 8 AM to 2 PM. Hayrides rides will be provided by Jack Miller’s Tractors from 9 AM to 3 PM and family games will be held in the village courtyard from noon to 2 PM. There will also be sing-alongs, crafts, hot beverages, and cookies at the Schoharie library from 10 AM to 2 PM. A cookie contest, music vendor, fair basket, raffles, and living history will be provided at the Old Stone Fort Museum from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Schoharie Daughters of the American Revolution will open Lasell Hall from 11 AM to 7pm for tours, auctions, cards and for Veterans, coloring ornaments, cocoa, and more.

The Schoharie Fire Department invites you to the Christmas in Schoharie parade on Saturday, December 7. They welcome any fire departments, school clubs, business organizations, or families to participate in the parade with a theme float or vehicle to help kick off this Christmas season. The theme of this year‘s parade is a "Western Christmas."

Participants can line up at 4 PM at Schoharie school and the parade will start at 5 PM sharp and move along Main Street to the county parking lot on Spring Street. The Schoharie Fire Department is making arrangements for Santa Claus to be in this parade so they kindly ask you that not to bring your own Santa. Following the parade, everyone is invited to the DAR house found the parade for the Kiwanis tree lighting, a bonfire, refreshments, and Christmas caroling. 

If you like to join the parade, please call or text Amanda at 518-573-1596.

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Preparing to Commemorate 250 Years Since the Revolution

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — We’ve just had our first accumulating snow of fall.  Winter is officially three weeks away, and there is the constant smell of woodsmoke in the air.

250 years ago everyone burned wood, and soon these valleys would be ablaze from the destruction that would accompany the raiding parties supporting the Crown’s effort to subdue the rebellion.

Although shots will not be fired until April 19, 1775, the seeds of the Revolution have already been sown and taken root in the Schohary area.

In January 1774, the citizens of Schenectady, also then part of Albany County, raised the first Liberty flag documented in the British colonies.

In August 1774, a Committee of Safety met for the first time in neighboring Tryon County.  Much of the current towns of Cobleskill, Seward, Sharon and Carlisle were then part of Tryon County.

In October 1774, the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the Articles of Association.  This act essentially prohibited subscribers from trade with Great Britain, the importation and sale of British goods, and established local committees of safety,

Boston was occupied by British troops and under martial law.

British North America was a tinderbox that would soon erupt in flames.

In March of this year, the Revolutionary Schohary 250th Committee organized as a grassroots effort to raise awareness and excitement for commemorating the events,  people, and politics of the Revolutionary War in what is now Schoharie County.

We will be promoting an inclusive approach that respects differing viewpoints and honors the impact that the War had on all participants.  There are often more than two sides to any story.

As we begin the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution, we ask for your help and support!  We are truly a grassroots effort with no governmental support or affiliations.

Our website is:  www.schohary250.org,   

Our Facebook page is: Revolutionary Schohary 250th, Schoharie County NY

Our email address is: revolutionaryschohary250@gmail,com

Please visit our sites, and consider supporting our efforts!

John Osinski

Middleburgh     

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Volunteers needed for Winter Raptor Survey

By Jennifer Patterson

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 4 is seeking volunteers to participate in its Winter Raptor Survey.

Designed to identify habitats used by bird species, the survey is focused especially on those that are threatened or endangered.

While the specific goal is to identify habitat used by threatened northern harriers and endangered short-eared owls during their non-breeding winter period, the DEC records all raptors seen or heard, including owls, hawks, vultures, falcons and eagles.

The data will be used to help guide future conservation and protection efforts.

“The DEC Winter Raptor Survey is an excellent opportunity for avid birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, or novices who just want to get involved to participate in conservation,” said John Weidman, Region 4 acting regional director. “Volunteers will assist regional wildlife biologists in tracking New York’s bird species to ensure these birds are protected and able to thrive in our ever-changing environment.”

Survey sites are located across the nine counties that make up DEC Region 4 (Greene, Schoharie, Delaware, Montgomery, Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady and Otsego). Stationary surveys are completed on a weekly schedule from mid-November to late April.

The survey is a 1.5-hour commitment, beginning one hour before sunset and ending 30 minutes after.

Volunteers are welcome to participate in as many surveys as their schedules allow, and DEC will provide training to those in need. DEC does not provide transportation to and from survey sites, and volunteers are asked to use their own binoculars.

To learn more about the program and how to get involved in the Winter Raptor Survey, email DEC Region 4 wildlife biologists at wildlife.r4@dec.ny.gov.

For information, go to https://dec.ny.gov.

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Don't Fence Me In - Relocation of Fence in M'burgh Causes Rift; Housing May be Built on RR Ave. Property

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The relocation of a chain link fence in front of the former Bush Lumber company on Chestnut Lane in the Village of Middleburgh has caused some tensions among the owners of the two properties and the village.

The former Bush Lumber Co. property on Chestnut Lane was purchased at a county auction last spring and nothing was done to the property until the week before Thanksgiving when the new owners, Mid North LLC, 1767 Central Park Ave. Ste 25, Yonkers, NY, moved the fence about 12 feet closer to the street eliminating the parking spaces on that side of the street. The relocation of the fence may be a precursor to the demolition of the old lumber buildings and the construction of low-income or senior housing.

The Mountain Eagle tried contacting the new owner, Mohamed Ahmed of Mid North and City Rentals of the Bronx, via phone calls and e-mails with no response, but the owners of Middleburgh Lanes and Laundromat did give their opinions of the changes.

Rich Shultes, an owner of the lanes, said he spoke to Mr. Ahmed, who he referred to as John Ahmed, and gave him a list of the easements that the lanes has on the street for parking. Nothing was done until two weeks ago when the fences were moved, possibly for the construction of senior or low-income housing. Mr. Ahmed, Mr. Shultes recently purchased the small left to the left of the lanes and told Mr. Shultes that he would sell the lot to the lanes at a reasonable price if the Shultes did not cause any problems. The two sides are working on the purchase, Mr. Shultes said Monday.

Then, just before Thanksgiving, without any warning to the towners of the lanes, the fences were moved to the edge of the street eliminating parking on that side of Chestnut Lane.

"It's pretty close and I'm not sure what we'll do when we get a ,lot of snow," Mr. Shultes said. The village, he noted, gave permission for the relocation of the fences.

The codes officer gave the permission, Mr. Shultes added. "They've signed off on it."

Village Mayor Tim Knight said the permit was approved by the village.

"It is unfortunate that a new fence installed by Mid North LLC at the old Bush Lumber property has caused tension between neighbors, as Middleburgh Lanes is a treasured part of our Village's small business community," Mayor Knight said.

"While the fence permit was legally obtained from Village Code Enforcement Office by Mid North LLC, I wish that both parties could have sat down and discussed this at length to avoid any negative feelings and reach a compromise regarding parking. This is ultimately a dispute between neighbors and the Village has no involvement."

The village, Mr. Shultes said, should have come to him before work started and "me and the neighbor would have worked on it" before the issue went to the village.

"I think they (Mid North) put some pressure on the village," Mr. Shultes noted.

He also said that water and sewer lines are under the street where the fences were relocated. Mr. Shultes said he is not planning any legal action against the village.

Patti Shultes said they called the Sheriff's Office when workers started to move the fence. A truck dolley owned by the lanes was still on the other side of the street. The village, she added, should have called them before the work began. She did note that the new owners of the former lumber yard would buy 10 chicken barbecue dinners every Friday.

Bush Lumber closed a few years ago and then came up on the Schoharie County property auction last May for unpaid taxes. The once bustling lot is overgrown with weeds and a few pieces of left over wood and parts. Red siding is coming off what was once the main showroom.

The winning bidder for the large village lot, building, and sheds was City Rentals Inc. of PO Box 162 in the Bronx. The bidder was Mr. Ahmed.

The Mountain Eagle tried to contact Mr. Ahmed several times via telephone and e-mail about his plans for the property last fall. After initially returning a phone call in June 9, 2023, Mr. Ahmed has not answered any follow-up queries about the future plans for the plot.

The winning bid was $80,000 for the property and Mr. Ahmed put down $8.000 on the property the day of the auction, May 20, with the remaining $72,000 due in 30 days.

According to county officials, the parcel was paid in full on June 29 through M&T Bank. The deed was filed under the name of Mid North LLC, 1767 Central Park Ave. Ste 25, Yonkers, NY which is owned by Mr. Ahmed. 

The assessed value of the property is $136,000, according to the county. The equalization rate for the Town of Middleburgh is at 51% so that makes the market value $266,667.

At the time of the sale, the amount of taxes that were owned was $49,099.91, according to the county.

According to New York State records, MID NORTH LLC was established on June 21 2023 as a domestic limited liability company type registered at 1767 Central Park Ave Suite #25 Yonkers. It was registered in Albany County and the CEO is Lolya Taylor, in Monsey, New York.

An Internet search shows that 1767 Central Park Avenue in Yonkers is also home to a UPS Store.

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Proposed $7.9M Gilboa-Conesville Project Will not Hike Taxes

By Chris English

GILBOA-CONESVILLE — Gilboa-Conesville School District residents worried about how a proposed $7.9 million improvement project might put a hurt on their household budgets can stop worrying.

The project, if approved by school district voters in a Dec. 17 referendum, will not necessitate a property tax increase, Superintendent Bonnie Johnson and two professionals from Hunt Architects said at the Wednesday, Nov. 20 school board meeting.

"There will be no impact on taxpayers at all," Johnson said. That point was reiterated by Josh Bezio and Gary Henry of Hunt Architects during their presentation on the project at the meeting.

The funding proposal for the work is to use $3.7 million from a capital reserve fund and $4.2 million in serial bonds. No tax increase can be accomplished by "leveraging New York State building aid and managing debt service payments," according to the presentation.

Proposed improvements include painting and accoustic upgrades to the gymatorium, locker replacement, an Americans With Disabilities Act connection between the two main buildings, septic system and retaining wall replacements, renovation of the parking lot and office and conference ventilation work at the bus garage and other upgrades.

Included in the estimated $7.9 million pricetag are gymatorium cooling, roof overlays for all buildings and replacement/relocation of playground equipment. However, those three items will be bid as alternates so they can be eliminated from the project if necessary, Bezio and Henry said.

A projected timeline, if the project is approved by voters on Dec. 17, has a preconstruction and design phase from December through July of 2025, awarding of bids in March of 2026 and construction from May 2026 to September 2027.

In-person voting is from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 17 in the M. Matthew Murray Auditorium at the school, 132 Wyckoff Road, Gilboa. Voting can also be done by absentee, early mail-in or military ballot. Instructions for voting those ways are available on the school district website.

In other news from the Nov. 20 meeting, teachers Melissa McDonald and Michelle Fleischman, seventh-grader Avyn Graham, and eighth-grader Voytek Meli gave a presentation on their Oct. 28-Nov. 1 Schoodic Education Adventure at Acadia National Park in Maine.

The four were among 29 students and five chaperones who made the trip, made possible in large part due to generous donations from L.L. Bean and the Nick Juried Foundation. Graham and Meli reported that among the highlights of the trip were a geology hike, learning about various trees and groundcover and about how glaciers made rock formations and many other things.

A trip to the beach included seeing some seals, the two students added.

"We're so lucky to have this program," school board President Michael Fleischman said. "It's been one of the most awesome things our kids can experience."

In personnel actions at the end of the meeting, several positions were approved for the 2024-25 school year. Ariah Cruz was approved as Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership (CROP) Peer Tutor and Taylor Bribois as CROP Adult Helper and Activity Leader.

Anne Mattice-Strauch will be junior varsity boys basketball coach, Jane Ware JV girls basketball coach, Jake Laban basketball clock keeper and David Pickett varsity girls basketball helper. Lindsay Timm was approved as Ski Club chaperone and Luis Flores as a substitute cleaner.

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Hands-on Learning at BOCES Boosts Knowledge, Retention, Grades

ALBANY/SCHOHARIE -- “I learn better when I am doing something other than just sitting in a school.” 

That quote from a Capital Region BOCES Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) graduate not only sums up the point of view of most Career and Technical School students, but also national and international research into education.

Research study after research study points to the idea that students who are actively engaged in their learning perform better than those who find themselves lost in a cacophony of words in a traditional academic environment. 

An article on SocialStudies.com stated students gain valuable skills—critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity—by learning while doing.

According to education consulting firm MicroTek, research has shown that students retain only 5% of material presented through lecture and 30% of information taught through demonstration, but they retain as much as 75% of the information they learn through hands-on participation.

“I learn better when I am doing it,”  said Akeem Ali, a Schenectady junior in the HVAC/R program.

Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers junior River Adams agreed. 

“Hands-on work makes it easier to commit to memory and helps to ensure you are doing the skills properly,” said the Niskayuna student. 

Whether in the Diesel Technology, Network Technology and Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology programs or the Automotive Trades and Global Fashion programs, a student engaged in learning with his or her hands is a happy student. 

“A BOCES education is important for most career fields because it’s hands-on,” said Faith Coates, a Class of 2024 graduate from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

Fellow alumni agree.

Mahendradat Mangroo, General Manager of the Albany Marriott Hotel, is a Class of 2007 BOCES graduate.

“BOCES was important because in reality I thought of the industry as being a cool industry because of the hotels and travel. Being hands-on in the work through BOCES taught me so much more and confirmed for me that this was a career I wanted to pursue,” he said. 

Class of 2024 Diesel Tech graduate Jacob Borst agreed. 

“Tearing apart an engine with your hands, putting it back together and having it turn over is an amazing feeling, and it makes learning about that much more understandable,” said Borst, a Schoharie High School graduate.

Education advocates have long noted the benefits of hands-on learning. Everett College research found that besides retention and learning how concepts apply to real life, students who learn with their hands:

Have a better feel for the training material at hand. If the student is working with equipment or software, this method can be especially effective.

Simulate real life. A hands-on learning environment can quite often simulate what students must do in their real-life careers, giving them a competitive edge over their peers.

Develop critical thinking skills. A goal of hands-on learning is the expectation that students will learn to make the on-the-spot decisions that can affect a desired outcome.

This year’s seniors said they look forward to taking part in more active learning.

“I like building stuff and working with my hands. I enjoy the whole process of welding,” said John Bush, a Welding and Metal Fabrication senior from North Colonie.

“It's a lot of fun. Some of the work is challenging, but it’s great to figure it out and overcome it,” Welding classmate Jacob Montalbano from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake said.

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Local Districts Looking for More Collaboration

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Six school districts in northern Schoharie County and the surrounding regions are not looking to merge, but as seeking ways to work more collaboratively.

Schoharie school Superintendent David Blanchard detailed Collaborative Planning and Resource Initiative that will be delivered to the state Educational Department by December 6. The report involves the Schoharie, Middleburgh, Berne-Knox, Duanesburg, Cobleskill-Richmondville, and Sharon Springs school districts as well as Capital District BOCES.

The districts have been meeting monthly for about 10 years with the Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent to plan, problem solve and collaborate, Mr. Blanchard said. The group operates as a subgroup within the larger BOCES region.

The districts have worked  very well together and it has been a very cooperative partnership, Mr. Blanchard told school board members. 

The collaborative work has improved education in all the districts and made them more efficient, he added. Examples includes the joint wrestling team between Schoharie and Duanesburg and the regional special education program at Cobleskill-Richmondville. He also noted that students from Schoharie and Middleburgh go to the New Visions program at BOCES. Students from all six districts also attend career and technical programs at the CTE center in Schoharie.

The collaboration between the districts is very important in a rural area where student enrollment is declining in most districts, Mr. Blanchard said. The districts have similar hurdles to overcome in hiring teachers and staff and meeting state mandates.

Representatives, superintendents and other staff, from the districts will have a meeting to discus their needs, he added.

A "dashboard" will be set up so districts can express needs and have access to help.

The key objectives  of the report are: Enhance and preserve educational opportunities, Improve operational efficiencies, Address budget constraints, and Meet state mandates.  

New York State is pushing for school districts to share more. Mr. Blanchard noted.

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