Education

Clark family keeps up fight

Teen’s suicide fuels push for legislation over school special education resources

Jerry Clark’s grandmother can’t fill the hole in her heart left by her grandson’s suicide, but she is continuing her efforts to keep it from happening to other families by lobbying for state legislation.

Library ladies

Progress Club helps celebrate Bethlehem Library’s centennial

On Saturday, May 11, the 100th anniversary of the library was commemorated with a Founder’s Day celebration at the Bethlehem Public Library on Delaware Avenue.

Disciplined mind opens doors

Shaker High School teacher went from dropout to academic achiever

Alex Finsel got what he needed in the ranks of the Marine Corps, and now, more than 15 years after becoming a college dropout, he’s being recognized for his academic achievement as the 2013 recipient of the Jean Edgecumbe Groff ’39 Graduate Scholarship in Education in the School of Education at the University at Albany. And he’s also bringing the ideals that shaped his life for the better to a new generation as a teacher at Shaker High School.

Students get a taste of SPAC

'Classical Kids' stops in North Colonie to introduce youngsters to world of dance

Siobhan Dunham and two other professional dancers spent the morning of Friday, May 3, at Shaker High School with the entire district’s fifth-grade students for the arts education series “Classical Kids.” The school-based program is sponsored by SPAC and Union College, and was created in 1993 to help provide an interactive approach for children to learn about classical music and dance.

Voorheesville Board of Education OKs $22.6M budget

Spending plan holds 3.23 percent tax hike; freshman basketball could be restored

The Voorheesville Board of Education unanimously adopted a $22.56 million 2013-14 budget during a special meeting on Tuesday, April 23. The tax levy would be raised by 3.23 percent under the plan.

Menands searches for new superintendent

District narrows down list to three to succeed Kathy Meany

The search for a new Menands School District superintendent has been narrowed down to three candidates.

BC makes last-minute budget shift

Cuts restored using expected surplus from this year

The Bethlehem Central Board of Education made changes to its adopted 2013-14 school year budget in an early morning meeting held less than two weeks after the spending plan was adopted in a 6-1 vote.

Full court press for compressions

Colonie boys affected by CPR part of effort to teach method in schools

Two Colonie boys learned about the power of CPR the hard way, and now they’re advocating that it becomes mandatory for their peers to learn the life-saving method.

Afghan officials look to Colonie

Town part of U.S. tour meant to help forge future of Afghanistan

The Town of Colonie might not have the same culture, landscape or problems that the country of Afghanistan faces, but officials from that faraway land hope they can learn something here all the same.

N. Colonie adopts school budget

Tax levy hike of 4.25 percent is at the state tax cap limit

The North Colonie Board of Education adopted a 2013-14 budget on Monday, April 22, that carries a 4.32 percent increase to the tax levy, which is within the state tax cap.

Bethlehem Central’s $90.4M budget below tax cap

Board of Education cuts $220k, including freshman level sport teams

The Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education adopted a $90.4 million 2013-14 budget Wednesday, April 17, by a 6-1 vote. The proposed spending plan holds a property tax levy increase of 3.59 percent, below the district's tax cap.

Police: Sand Creek Middle School student struck by car on way to school

The Colonie Police Department is currently investigating an accident where a fifth grader was struck by a vehicle while on her way to school Monday morning, police said.

Educator leaves a lasting legacy

Blue Creek teacher Jean Bassett inspired students, even during her fight with cancer

During her first stages of chemotherapy, Blue Creek Elementary teacher Jean Bassett knew she was going to start losing her hair. Nervous her students might become afraid of the changes, Bassett cut her long, curly hair short and walked into the classroom one day with her hair dyed blue. Another day, it was red.

Zoning Board denies School’s Out

Decision effectively halts $475k sale of BC property

The Bethlehem Zoning Board of Appeals has denied a use variance that would allow the Bethlehem Central School district to sell its property at 90 Adams to daycare provider School’s Out, Inc.

Guilderland adopts $91M school budget

Coaching cuts stayed, enrichment cuts made; tax hike set at 3.4 percent

The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $91 million 2013-14 budget on Tuesday, April 9, that holds a property tax levy increase of 3.39 percent, which is within the district’s state tax cap limit.

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