In Chatham cameras are part of school vote

by CLAIRE GILBERT

CHATHAM–The Board of Education held one last public information session May 1 before the proposed Capital Project before the public at the May 15 election.

While the majority of the proposal is for major repairs of the school buildings and grounds, a second proposition would fund the installation of security cameras in and around all five school buildings, including the Public Library and the bus garage.

Teri Conte, a former school board member and vice president was outspoken in her opposition to the camera proposal, saying she did not see the correlation between installing security cameras and keeping kids safe at school.

“I have a big problem with the security cameras,’ she said. “There are multiple doors and windows into each and every building in this district,” she said. “They are unalarmed, they are unmonitored and they are easily accessed. Any student inside our building can go to a door, open it, and let anybody in. That’s a problem, and that’s not been addressed. We should not have such easy access into our buildings as we do now. That is a security issue.” Read more…

ICC board ponders upgrades to buildings and grounds

by EMILIA TEASDALE

KINDERHOOK–On Tuesday, May 1, the Ichabod Crane School Board held a short public hearing on the proposed $40-million budget for the 2018-19 school year. There was only one comment from the public in support of the budget. The annual budget vote and Board of Education election is May 15.

The board then moved on to the regular meeting where they discussed a proposed capital improvement project the district hopes to have ready for voters to approve in December. The district is working with CSArch, an Albany based architecture and engineering firm, to come up with a plan for a two-phase project that would mainly be upgrades to the high school and elementary/middle school buildings.

CSArch’s Ed Anker said at the board meeting that representatives from his company and the board’s Facilities Committee had been reviewing a building condition survey the board had done with the district’s previous engineering firm. Mr. Anker said the report had a lot of “comprehensive information” and there is “roughly $35 million” worth of work suggested in the report. He said he and the committee started to prioritize what needs to get done. Read more…

Local milkers reclaim turf

by DIANE VALDEN

HARLEMVILLE—Spring arrived late this year.

The cows, like everyone else, were restless, weary of the cold and drear, longing for the sun and warmth, eager for the day they could get outside, kick up their hooves, run around and savor that green green grass.

That day finally arrived at Hawthorne Valley Farm, 327 County Route 21C, May 1 with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s as school children, parents, staff and community converged for a traditional rite of spring they call the cow parade. Read more…

3 vie for 2 slots on G’town school board

by DEBBY MAYER

GERMANTOWN—Next Tuesday’s vote in the Germantown Central School District presents a ballot with three candidates to fill two available seats on the Board of Education, and two propositions, for the 2018-19 budget and for a capital reserve fund.

Running for four-year terms on the school board are Donald Coons, Heather Schultz and Andrew Soltano. The district serves all or part of the towns of Ancram, Clermont, Gallatin, Germantown, Livingston and Taghkanic.

All six school districts in the county will hold elections May15 seeking approval for annual budgets. In addition to Germantown there are races for open seats on the Ichabod Crane and Taconic Hills school boards. Taconic Hills and Chatham are proposing capital improvement projects to repair or upgrade school facilities. Read more…

State Sen. Kathy Marchione abruptly announces retirement

by DAVID LOMBARDO

Reprinted with permission from the Times Union

HALFMOON — State Senator Kathy Marchione (R- 43rd) announced late last Wednesday that she will not seek re-election.

The former Halfmoon town clerk stunned the Saratoga County Republican Committee when she said during a closed-door meeting that this would be her last year in office.

Ms. Marchione was elected to the Senate in 2012 after a bruising primary against incumbent Roy McDonald.

In a statement, Senator Marchione said that it was a difficult decision but that she believes the end of the year will be “the right time for me to step away.” Read more…