Dear DCS Community:
As it starts to get warmer and the majority of restrictions stay in our rearview mirror, it is a great time to think about the future of our district. We’ve weathered a pandemic and have remained in strong standing without having to sacrifice programming for kids. This has required the hard work and dedication of everyone on our staff as well as the partnership of our community. While we will still face many challenges and opportunities to grow, this time period should stand as proof that there is nothing that we can’t accomplish if we work together.
Best,
Jim Niedermeier, Ed.D.
Superintendent
2022-23 School Budget
The current draft of the school budget for the 2022-23 school year is $18.672, which represents a 4.40% ($787,000) year-to-year spending increase. The proposed budget calls for a tax levy increase of 1.80%, or $150,945, which is under the tax levy limit or “cap” of 2.62%. There are no proposed programmatic cuts in this budget and there is one additional elementary position proposed. The budget vote is on May 17, 2022 in the Elementary School lobby. You can find all of our budget development presentations here.
Capital Building Project
You can read about our recent community forum to discuss our upcoming capital project here. The next community workshop will be held in early May. Right now, our plan is to finalize the project scope and budget by the beginning of August and bring a referendum to the community on September 29, 2022. If everything goes as planned, the construction would take place during the summers of 2024 and 2025.
Summer STEAM Camps
I am really excited about the enrichment camp opportunities for students in grades 6-9 that we are offering this summer. These camps are fun learning experiences that are free of charge. You can read about them and register here.
Centennial Celebration Assistance Needed
Did you know that the 2022-2023 school year is the 100th anniversary of the Duanesburg Central School District? You can read all about our district’s early years in this 10th anniversary piece from our 1933 yearbook. We would like to celebrate this anniversary by putting together an exhibition of DCS artifacts, media, and stories. If you would like to help out in some way (or have things to contribute) please complete this brief form.
Odyssey of the Mind
I just wanted to recognize our creative and hardworking Odyssey of the Minds teams. Our Division 1 & 2 teams placed second in the regional tournament and participated in the NY state tournament at the end of March. Congratulations to the teams, who you can read about here.
Artist of the Month: Tyler Decker
Mr. DiTondo has chosen Tyler Decker as the Artist of the Month. Tyler, a 9th grader, is a great all-around student and an outside of the box artist who did a wonderful job on his recent Claes Oldenburg sculpture project pictured below (you can read more about this project here). He has great conceptual designs and mechanical abilities.
