Former Saugerties schools superintendent Seth Turner says the school district he headed from 2009 to 2018 owes him $61,745.40 for unused vacation and sick days. When Turner left the district in late September 2018, the school board denied him the money. Last month, he filed a lawsuit.
Members of the public gave the board an earful about their decision to eliminate the positions of four “sys-ops” employees; systems operation specialists who work as technology assistants to the teachers and who, according to several of the speakers at last Wednesday’s meeting, are the people who do the real heavy lifting in the schools when it comes to technology issues.
Superintendent Thomas Bongiovi said that after receiving a complaint regarding an employee last week, “the district did a prompt and thorough investigation, and the employee ultimately resigned from the district.” He added that the New York State Department of Education was also notified.
Trustees were asked to notify parents more quickly of threats to their children and to be more proactive about responding to incidents of racism and anti-Semitism, of which there have been 10 reported in all four schools in recent months.
Incumbent Sophia Skiles is running to retain her seat for a second term and Bianca Tanis is a first-time candidate running for the seat of Matthew Williams, whose term ends on June 30.
Jane St. Amour, currently business manager at the Spencer-Van Etten school district near Ithaca, will officially take on the role of business manager of the Saugerties school system on July 1. “Saugerties is a great school district with a supportive board of education and community, and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and immerse myself in the excellent things that are happening here in Saugerties,” said St. Amour.
The Onteora school board unanimously approved a $57,403,498 budget for the coming school year at its April 24 meeting after
The Kingston City School District is still searching for a pair of principals to fill vacancies, with the leaders of both Kingston High School and George Washington Elementary School planning to step down at the end of the current academic year.
SUNY Ulster Kingston Center will be hosting an Information Session on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at 10:00 am at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster, 94 Mary’s Ave, Kingston, for individuals interested in pursuing the pre-employment Police Basic Training Course provided through Ulster County Law Enforcement Training Group.
Emily Christiansen and Hilary Mulford are the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Saugerties High School Class of 2019. Both are scholars, athletes, jobholders and environmental advocates.