SCS Parent Suggests Buildings Should Open Earlier for Students

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.

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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.