Interested in becoming more involved in local education? Residents of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake are encouraged to throw their hat into the ring and join the district’s board of education.
The opening on the board is to fill a slot after the recent resignation of Harry Durand Jr. Durand, in his second year on the board, has resigned citing family needs.
Board president Elizabeth Herkenham praised Durand for his work lobbying for low elementary classroom sizes and insisting this be a budget priority.
Durand is the second resignation from the board of education this year. Brian Bielecki left in September to pursue an advanced education degree. His slot was filled by Joe Pericone Jr.
The board will interview candidates at the beginning of its Tuesday, Nov. 14, meeting and appoint a new member effective Nov. 28 to June 30, 2007. Board members are unpaid and attend meetings on two or more Tuesday evenings per month throughout the year. State law requires board candidates be 18 years of age or older, registered voters in the district, able to read and write and residents of the district for at least one year. Candidates also may not be a district employee or reside with a family member who serves on the same board. New members appointed to a school board must run for election if they wish to continue serving beyond the current school year. Applicants can apply with a letter summarizing their volunteer experience to Superintendent Jim Schultz, 50 Cypress Drive, Glenville 12303 by Monday, Nov. 6.
Parents of school-age children are also needed as volunteers on three committees in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District. The committees are being formed to hire a new director of special services, to evaluate nutrition and wellness policies, and to update elementary report cards.
Two parents who have experience with special education students are needed to select a replacement for John Irving, who is retiring in March after a long tenure as special education director. Members of this committee must be able to meet several times from Nov. 13 through Dec. 13.
One parent is needed to serve on the new district wellness committee, formed to create and promote a districtwide school health program now mandated by federal law. This wellness committee will meet approximately four times annually.
Two elementary school parents are needed for the report card committee to discuss improvements to the pupil report cards. This committee will meet from November 2006 through June 2007.
Parents are asked to send a letter of interest to school Superintendent Jim Schultz by Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 50 Cypress Drive, Glenville 12302, or call 399-9141, ext. 5002, for information. `