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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Walden Elementary to host
Healthy Kids program
By TED REMSNYDER
Valley Central Superintendent John
Xanthis has described the district’s
annual budget vote as a report card
for the performance of the district and
administration, and voters passed Valley
Central’s $101,247,326 spending plan with
flying colors when they headed to the
polls on May 16. The proposed budget was
endorsed by a healthy 1,048 to 414 margin,
as taxpayers affirmed a budget that
remained within the state tax cap without
cutting teaching positions or programs.
The approved plan includes a 2.69
percent tax levy increase, and the district
will be able to bolster its staff with a new
technology teacher and expand existing
jobs such as occupational and physical
therapists now that the budget has passed.
“It was certainly very positive, and it
sends a message of how the community
feels we’re doing as a school district and
a school community,” Xanthis said of the
voting results. “So we’re certainly pleased
with that. You don’t always draw it up like
that, but this year seemed to be one where
there were very few issues that came to
the forefront. Hopefully our year will
finish strong, and we’re going to complete
the year with a culminating event with
our graduation. We’re all looking forward
to it.”
The district had to shrink down an
earlier, more ambitious budget when
the final state aid numbers came in
smaller than anticipated, but the final
plan preserved all current programs for
students. Running unopposed, Board of
Education President Sheila Schwartz
(1,110 votes) and newcomer Joseph Bond
(1,109) were elected to three-year terms
on the school board that begin on July 1.
Despite the absence of a hotly-contested
board race, Xanthis was satisfied with
the voter turnout for this year’s balloting.
“Unless there’s a lot of people running,
or there’s some controversy, you never
know,” he said. “We’re happy so many
people came out. I always say ‘you know
the no votes are coming out.’ So you hope
people don’t lose interest and they come
out, and they certainly did come out.”
At the school board meeting on May 22,
the administration announced that the
Healthy Kids, Healthy New York after-
school program is expected to come to
Walden Elementary this fall. The school
was chosen to host the initiative, which
has a tentative start date of October,
because it fits the socioeconomic profile
the program serves. The three-hour after-
school program will run five days a week
for nine weeks starting before the end of
the year, with another nine-week session
slated for early 2018.
As part of the program, the 20 kids
from grades 3-5 that qualify for each
session will receive assistance with their
literacy skills while also participating in
physical activities. The students will also
receive a healthy snack each afternoon
after class. The new offering is funded
by a grant, and is complimentary for the
children who are chosen. Valley Central
is already working with the Healthy
Kids organization at another elementary
school. “We have one program at East
Coldenham where parents pay for after-
school child care,” Xanthis said. “Then
there’s this program where they come in
and do a literacy program and it’s free to
the school district.”
The after-school program is based on
academic need, and the organizers take
extra measures to protect the welfare
of the children, as employees have to be
fingerprinted to take part in the initiative.
“They come in and set it up and hire
the teachers,” Xanthis said. “The people
in charge are so conscious about safety.
They have someone at the door, and no
one gets released until a parent’s there to
sign them out and show ID. It’s very well
organized. I had the pleasure to work with
them during the year I spent in Highland
Falls, and we reached out to them last
year to see if there was an opportunity
for them to come here. The grant was
written, and we got included.”
Gardiner to dedicate
State Police substation
In recognition of the 100-year
anniversary of the New York State Police,
there will be a dedication of the Gardiner
State Police sub-station in honor of then
Sergeant Peter J. Brennan. In 1976,
Sergeant Brennan recognized the need
for greater police presence in Southern
Ulster County by implementing the
Gardiner State Police Sub-Station.
The dedication will take place Saturday,
June 3 at 11 a.m. at the Gardiner Fire
Department located at 2349 Route 44/55.
All are welcome and refreshments will
be served.
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