MIDDLEBURGH - Building Big Ideas at Middleburgh elementary school. Students are preparing for the next Odyssey of the Mind competition. We know their imaginations and critical thinking will take them far at competitions later this year. Photos courtesy Middleburgh Central School.
SCHOHARIE — Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc. (RSS) is inviting Schoharie residents to attend a community information and engagement session focused on the proposed Depot Lane development. The drop-in event will be held on Tuesday, January 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Schoharie High School Cafeteria; in case of inclement weather, the event will be held on January 29.
Unlike a traditional public presentation, this session is designed as a gallery-walk style event, offering open, one-on-one conversations with representatives of the Depot Lane development team. Community members are encouraged to stop in at any time during the event to ask questions, share concerns, and speak directly with project experts.
“This format allows for meaningful face-to-face dialogue,” said Christine Nealon, RSS Director of Strategic Partnerships. “Attendees will have the opportunity to talk directly with the people leading the project and receive clear, accurate information tailored to their specific questions.”
Residents will have the chance to learn how the Depot Lane development is designed to be a safe, attractive, and significant investment in Schoharie’s infrastructure and sustainability. Experts will be available to discuss key topics including building design, tenant eligibility and selection, safety and neighborhood impact, and economic benefits for the Schoharie community.
The event is open to all members of the community, and no registration is required.
SCHOHARIE — The Schoharie Storm team defeated Canajoharie 50-38 on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Schoharie built an early lead, outscoring Canajoharie 15-4 in the first quarter. Schoharie maintained control going into halftime with a 27-12 advantage.
Schoharie's offense was led by Matthew Cater, who scored a game-high 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Emmett Gagnon added 10 points for the home team.
For Canajoharie, Trevor Willis was the leading scorer with 15 points. Landon Vroman contributed 6 points.
Schoharie (50) Matthew Cater 16 points; Emmett Gagnon 10 points; Luke Stevens 8 points; Noah Florussen 5 points; Zach Morrisey 4 points; Holden Schoemaker 3 points; Kai Dincae 2 points; Tony Donzelli 2 points.
Canajoharie (38) Trevor Willis 15 points; Landon Vroman 6 points; Dillon Randall 3 points; Brandon Hemrick 3 points; Cayden Snyder 3 points; Gage Back 2 points; Gavin Sincavage 2 points; Logan Hulten 2 points; Paul Caleu 1 point; Elijah Lopez 1 point.
Score by quarters: Schoharie 15 12 21 2 — 50 Canajoharie 4 8 16 10 — 38
Special thanks to Mitchell Barton.
SCHOHARIE — Registration is now OPEN for Schoharie Little League! Please use schoharielittleleague.com to sign up. Registration must be completed online; any problems please contact the Player Agent, Jenn Whiting at schoharieplayeragent.com. We are accepting registration for T-Ball players beginning at 4 years old!
SCHOHARIE — The Schoharie County Department of Motor Vehicles, along with all DMV offices in New York state, will undergo a large-scale system upgrade next month that will require our office to be closed and briefly alter our business hours.
According to County Clerk Larry Caza, in February the New York State DMV is implementing the initial phase of a multi-year project to replace and modernize its aging technology systems. To bring the first part of the new system online, the state is ceasing all DMV operations, including online and the phone system at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. Due to this, our DMV location in the Village of Schoharie will close early at 12:30 pm on that Friday.
The Schoharie office will remain closed Monday, which is the Presidents Day holiday, and Tuesday (February 16-17), with a planned reopening on Wednesday, February 18 provided we receive the go-ahead from State DMV leadership..
During this time, the state DMV will migrate about 30 million records to the new system and complete the transition to bring the first phase of the upgrade online. Again, no DMV transactions will be able to be completed during this period, including through the state DMV website, and they will also not be answering their phones.
The state DMV’s implementation timeline calls for offices to be operational and open for customer transactions beginning Wednesday, February 18. We plan on re-opening our Schoharie DMV Office at 9:00 am on February 18 . Any changes to that will be posted on the county website and the Schoharie County Facebook page.
“We ask your indulgence as our team works to integrate all of the state changes, as seamlessly as we can,” said Schoharie County Clerk Larry Caza, “but, as with any software changeover, be prepared for a few hiccups.”
ABOUT THE DMV SYSTEM UPGRADE
New York State DMV has contracted with software company FAST Enterprises, LLC, which has implemented similar systems in more than 20 other states, to help NYS DMV modernize its technology platforms and service delivery in two major stages over the next two years. The new technology will replace and consolidate a significant portion of DMV’s legacy technology, some of which are over 50 years old. The goal of this initiative is to make the DMV more secure, stable, and agile and to provide DMV customers with more efficient, secure, and convenient services.
By David Avitabile
SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school board members unanimously last week, with one abstention, turned down a memorandum of agreement with the Schoharie Teachers Association on an in-service MOA.
At their Thursday evening meeting, six board members opposed the MOA and one abstained. There was no discussion on the matter.
After the meeting, an SCS teacher and union representative said the MOA was declined because it was said that the teacher had reached the limit for their in-service hours.
* * *
In other action at last week's meeting, board members:
* Accepted the resignation of temporary K-12 ELL teacher Jean Hull. She was also half-time substitute. The resignation was effective December 17.
* Accepted the resignation of full-time cleaner Joseph Finch effective January 30.
* Approved the rescission of the appointment of Jayla Smallwood as substitute.
* Appointed Andrew Wynne as probationary full-time cleaner at a salary of $38,839 per year.
* Approved an MOA with the STA on camera use.
* Added the following class/club advisors: Gabrielle Warren as elementary school family engagement event planner at a stipend of $1,000 and JoLyn Borst as junior-senior high school family engagement event planner with a stipend of $1,000.
Added the following people to the SCS sub list: Caleb Hantho, Lydia Lusk, and Ella Raymond, all non-certified, and Marissa Hoyt, certified.
* Accepted the donation of $631.19 from the EPTSO to the SCS Backpack program.
* Went into executive to discuss contract negotiations.
By David Avitabile
SCHOHARIE - While the Schoharie school district enrollment has declined steadily over the past seven years, the number of students with disabilities has increased sharply due to several factors.
Matthew Wright, the SCS director of curriculum and pupil personnel services, spoke to school board members at their December meeting about the increase in the number of special education students in the district.
Mr. Wright told school board members that the district enrollment has gradually declined from 2018-19 to 2025-26. The number of students with disabilities transferring into the district are disproportionately high. Despite the gradual decline in overall enrollment, the number of transfer students with disabilities is 1.5 to two times the number of students with disabilities who graduate each year.
Student needs are becoming more complex, he added. The district is seeing an increase in complex student needs that require intensive and highly individualized instructional support.
The total number of identified students with disabilities has sharply increased from 2020-21 through 2025-26, Mr. Wright said. The number of transfer students with disabilities enrolling in the district has increased over time directly impacting the overall classification rate. The district's classification rate mirrors this increase, projected to reach 20 percent in the 2025-26 school year.
The key drivers to the increase are: Increasing number of students who require a higher level of support and service, slowing enrollment, increased enrollment of transfer students with disabilities, and parent referrals are up. Mr. Wright added. The district cannot turn away parent referrals.
The 20 percent rate is "not bad" compared to other local districts but could be better, Mr. Wright said,
"Everyone is struggling with the same thing," he added.
There are action plans in place, he added.
The action plan to address the classification rate and parent referrals goals are: strengthen early interventions and data analysis to ensure students are only classified after intensive, data driven Least Restrictive Environment attempts, family engagement activities providing resources for families across domains, and others.
The action plan to address out-of-district placements goal is to work to provide a comprehensive continuity of services within the district to allow for consideration of bringing students back to their local high school, Mr. Wright said.
Schoharie is responding to declining enrollment and rising transfer SWD populations by focusing on strengthening classroom/building level intervention and data driven decision making to ensure compliance with the Least Restrictive Environment mandate for all students, he added.
By David Avitabile
SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school officials are planning a community event that would bring together parents, students, and many agencies in and around the school.
Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their January 15 meeting that a dinner was recently held with members of several community groups and SCS staff. At the dinner, members brainstormed and plans were discussed for a spring community event.
The event, eyed for June 24, would start with a barbecue, Mr. Blanchard said. The event, held on school grounds and in the cafeteria and auditorium, would also include: a pickleball tournament, a read-a-long in the library, "so many things already," Mr. Blanchard added. Additional meetings will be held to finalize the event. The Schoharie Promotional Association, Workforce Solutions, the county health department, the EPTSO, the SCS Booster Club, the Rec Club, student groups and clubs, the fine arts organizations, and other groups will have tables and information at the event. Officials are working hard at getting other organizations to join, Mr. Blanchard said.
The main focus of the event is to expand the connection with the community, Mr. Blanchard said.
Many people have gotten excited very quickly and the event "should be well attended with students and parents," he added.
MIDDLEBURGH/SCHOHARIE - Big dreams start with the right ingredients at Middleburgh Central School and the Schoharie CTE. Middleburgh high school student Shianne is taking steps toward her goal of owning her own bakery. School officials are thrilled to see so many students build a foundation for their future through BOCES Career and Technical Education programs. Photo courtesy Middleburgh Central School.
By Chris English
GILBOA-CONESVILLE — School board members in Gilboa-Conesville got an early look at what some of the 2026-27 budget might look like at the Thursday, Jan. 15 meeting.
Treasurer Marianne Romito gave a presentation and handed out three pages of information to board members, monthly cash balances report, a history of property tax caps and tax levies in the school district from 2019-20 through 2025-26, and 2026-27 budget assumptions.
The monthly cash balances report listed "total back accounts" of $14.75 million as of Nov. 30, 2025 and $13.91 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Included in the budget assumptions were that the current non-teaching contract ends June 30, 2026, and also some medical and dental insurance numbers.
"It's a projection, not set in stone," Romito told board members. "I wanted to give you an idea of where we're at. As I get more information, I will share it with you."
Superintendent Bonnie Johnson reiterated that thought in an email to this newspaper.
"These are all for budget planning purposes," she wrote. "Nothing is set in stone. Information on the 2026-2027 budget will be shared next month."
In another finance-related matter from the Jan. 15 meeting, the school board approved a corrective action plan on a report the school district had received that its general fund unrestricted fund balance (surplus) as of June 30, 2025 exceeded 4 percent of the subsequent year's budget, and was more than allowed by the state's real property tax law.
The report's recommendation was that "Management take the excess fund balance into consideration when preparing next year's budget."
The school district's response was that "School District Superintendent Bonnie Johnson and District Treasurer Marianne Romito are actively working with the school board to address excess fund balance and are working on a reserve policy that was completed and fund balance policy for effective management of its excess funds.
"Balancing the need for fiscal prudence with a responsible view of fund balance continues to be a goal as we continue to provide school budgets that meet the needs of the GCCSD students and community."
In her report at the Jan. 15 meeting, Johnson said Senior Night for basketball players and cheerleaders will be Feb. 4. Spring sports sign-ups will be posted this week and that transition into another dental insurance plan is going well.
A third and final lockdown drill was held Jan. 15, Johnson continued, and windows around the school were recently tinted for safety purposes.
Mary Hinkley, 7-12 Principal and Director of Special Education, reported that the school held its Winter Festival just before the Holiday Break. The festival included Karaoke and other fun events. A B.O.C.E.S road show recently visited Gilboa-Conesville to familiarize students with programs available at the local B.O.C.E.S that serves GC and several other school districts, Hinkley said.
Elementary Principal Candice Gockel reported there's been a lot of professional development at the school recently, including First Aid and CPR training for staff, and also training on how to integrate innovative digital tools into classrooms.
The school board approved attendance at the upcoming New York State Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Conference by advisor Michelle Fleischman, a chaperone and several students.
The conference is March 18-20 at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center in Callicoon, N.Y. The cost per student and adult is approximately $324-345 including room, meals and registration.
In other actions from the Jan. 15 meeting, the school board approved Memorandums of Agreement on Transportation and Transportation Driver Training. The board did first reads on School Bus Safety, Idling School Buses on School Grounds, Qualification of Bus Drivers and Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers policies.
In addition, the board did second reads and approvals for policies of Cyber Security Incident Response and Information Security Breach.
In personnel actions at the end of the meeting, the board approved the following: Luann Brainerd as chaperone and shot clock keeper for the 2025-26 basketball season; Darcy Jaeger-Brand and Andrew Dumas as modified softball coaches for 2026; Daniel McGlynn as varsity softball coach for 2026; Michael Meli as modified baseball coach for 2026.
Also: Clyde Cole as Junior Varsity baseball coach for 2026; Michael Faulkner as varsity baseball coach for 2026; Hannah Johnson as substitute UPK-12 licensed teacher Assistant, aide and teacher for 2025-26; Brittany McAdams as substitute CROP site coordinator for 2025-26; and Allison Case as elementary basketball coach for 2025-26.
The board also voted to accept, with regret, the resignation for the purpose of retirement of 21-year elementary school counselor Dawn Bialkowski effective June 30, 2026.
February 9th: Board of Directors Meeting, 5:30 Conesville Town Hall
March 9th:
Board of Directors Meeting, 5:30 Conesville Town Hall
250th Committee Meeting, 6:30 Conesville Town Hall
March 23rd: Monthly Program: Jason Merwin, Catskill Watershed Corporation Executive Director. Membership meeting to follow
*Note the change in Monday due to a conflict
April 13th: Board of Directors Meeting, 5:30 Conesville Town Hall
April 22nd: Earth Day Celebration, 6:00 at the Town Park
April 24th - April 26th: National Historic Marker Weekend (Our activities to be decided)
April 26th: Annual Meeting 2:00 PM Gavins, Justin Wexler, Wild Hudson Valley speaks on the Indigenous Cultures of our Region
Senior Night – The Schoharie Storm girls basketball team — Allison Okyay, Skylar Giffin, Olivia Courtright, Kayla Hayes, seniors Alaina Martin and Juju Slater, Carley Waters, Allie Smith and Lucy Masa — pose for a Senior Night photo before Friday’s game against Canajoharie-Ft. Plain.
Schoharie’s Alaina Martin jumps above Canajoharie-Ft. Plain’s Remi Veit-Scott with a layup that nets two for the Storm. Martin led Schoharie with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 9 steals in Friday night's 56-33 victory over the Cougars.
Canajoharie-Ft. Plain’s Breyanna Gilot and Schoharie’s Alaina Martin tussle for control of a rebound. Photos by Scott Keidong.
Strong on Storm defense, Schoharie’s Carley Waters makes Canajoharie-Ft. Plain’s Remi Veit-Scott really works for it as she looks for a Cougar to pass the ball.
Canajoharie-Ft. Plain’s Breyanna Gilot reaches in an attempt to block Schoharie’s Alaina Martin as she nails a three pointer from the corner.
Surrounded by Cougars, Schoharie’s Skylar Giffin sinks a layup.
Schoharie’s Carley Waters takes aim on a three pointer.
Blue bearded Coach Toro signals the Storm from the sideline.
Schoharie’s Olivia Courtright drives the ball past Canajoharie-Ft. Plain’s Remi Veit-Scott and into the key.
Shooting, then grabbing her own rebound, Schoharie’s Alaina Martin is swamped by Canajoharie-Ft. Plain defenders Jahzara Fowler, Myah Enright and Remi Veit-Scott.
Replaced by substitutes with about a minute left in the fourth quarter, Schoharie seniors Juju Slater and Alaina Martin are congratulated as they retire victoriously to the bench.
Article by Bradley Towle. Photos by Tracy Russell
ALBANY — A team of six Schoharie County youths participated in the Hudson Valley First LEGO League Tournament at Albany Academy on January 18th. The group, named Dinosaur Emoji by vote, consisted of students ages 9-14 from Schoharie, Middleburgh, and Gilboa-Conesville, as well as homeschooled students, and began meeting in September at the West Fulton Firehouse in preparation for Sunday’s tournament, with the aid of three volunteer coaches. This year’s theme, “Unearthed”, offered participants the opportunity to learn about the world of archeology through their LEGO robotics experiments. The team utilized computer coding programs to animate their LEGO creations. Dinosaur Emoji worked together to create a script and a stop-motion video, using their LEGO robotics skills to convey the lessons they learned about archeology. But the tournament was not about winning or losing, per se. It was about encouraging curiosity and fun. “LEGO League doesn’t focus on winners and losers,” says volunteer coach Bruce DeLaet. “[I]t’s about learning and having fun… All in all, our team had fun and did well.”
FIRST LEGO League, a non-profit organization, has a set of core values it expects from its participants: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun. The Dinosaur Emoji team consistently displayed these values over the 18 weeks leading up to the tournament, with some having previous experience in LEGO robotics and assisting newer members along the way. Most importantly, they had fun.
Bruce Wollaber, 74, died Sunday, January 18, 2026, in his home, surrounded by family, in Summit, NY from end-stage ALS. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debra Wollaber, his two children, Allan (Allison) Wollaber, Diane (Raj) Chudgar; his sisters Pam Wollaber, Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan, and Stephanie Jock, and his six grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, as well his brothers, Steven and Lawrence Wollaber.
Bruce was born in Rome, New York in May 1951 and moved to Cobleskill in 1959. He met his future wife at the Cobleskill High School, where he played football, graduating in 1969. He married Debra in September 1973. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 1975 with a B.A. in mathematics, and RPI in 1979 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He went on to have a successful career in HVAC, rising into management and moving to Tennessee with family in 1985. He co-founded, with Jim Napolitano, Comfort Engineered Systems (CES) in 1994, which grew and remains a successful company today. He earned his Professional Engineering license and was an early leader in geothermal heating and cooling. From 1998-2016, he and Debra enjoyed time on their houseboat at the Edgar Evins Marina in TN. He built his dream home in 2007 in Summit, NY and retired there in 2016. Always active in his community, he served in leadership roles at the Exchange Club, Summit SnoRiders and Conservation clubs, and the Cobleskill Golf and Country Club.
A celebration of life will be held in June. At that time, his ashes will be scattered in a beloved hemlock grove. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in his memory to the Exchange Club of Cobleskill, PO Box 246, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or the Cobleskill Golf and Country Club, 2322 Route 7, Cobeskill, NY 12043.
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