Author: Jonathon Norcross

ALLSTON SPA — David M. Sunkes Jr., the Ballston Spa High School Athletic Director, died suddenly last weekend. Sunkes had served the district for more than two decades and was mourned by former students and community members when they learned of his passing.

“This loss has deeply affected our Ballston Spa community, and we are struggling to come to terms with this tragic event,” wrote Superintendent of Schools Gianleo Duca in a letter. “I know that some of you had a close relationship with Dave, and his presence in our schools and at our athletic events will be deeply missed. We are all stunned by the news of this loss.”

“Dave had provided a steady hand in especially the rebound of Scotties Athletics post-Covid shutdowns, and I know without a doubt he had a front-row seat for today’s Ballston Spa Football game at Brewster. He will be greatly missed,” said Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi in a Facebook post.

Superintendent Duca said that the district would be honoring the Sunkes family’s request for privacy, and thus did not immediately provide further information about the unexpected loss.

Sunkes is survived by his wife Carrie and three sons.

Following the announcement of Sunkes’ death, there was an outpouring of affectionate tributes on Facebook. 

“I probably wouldn’t have graduated high school without his help; he was a role model to so many young men and women,” wrote Devin, a former student. “Anyone who ever played for him knew how much he loved us; what a tremendous loss for Ballston Spa.”

“Mr. Sunkes was a true ally to me, and my entire family,” wrote Riley. “He treated me like gold, and never judged me once for who I am. He was kind, compassionate, and fair. He was a wonderful asset to our community, and the world. May he find peace, and his family as well. May they heal in due time, and cherish his loving memory.”

“Our two youngest had Coach Sunkes guiding them in school, the gym class, and in football,” wrote Jeff, a parent of Ballston Spa students. “His motivation driven by humor or timely sarcasm was instrumental in shaping our children. I know this news will devastate many and my heart goes out to his family.”

Sunkes was the recipient of the 2018 Wellspring Changemakers Award. He was credited with bringing the “Coaching Boys Into Men” program to Ballston Spa schools. The program promoted respectful behavior among student-athletes with the goal of preventing abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.

A mass of Christian burial for Sunkes will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday, September 13 at St. Mary’s Church on Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa. Burial will follow in Ballston Spa Cemetery.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help Sunkes’ wife Carrie and his three sons. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $20,000 had already been raised. To make a contribution, visit http://bspa.news/sunkes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — By the time you’re reading this, the 2024-2025 school year will have already begun. Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and Schuylerville School Districts are all holding their first day of classes on Thursday, September 5. Although the summer may have been rejuvenating for the students of Saratoga County, local schools have been busy hiring new teachers, renovating their facilities, and securing the services of a Golden Retriever.

St. Mary’s School Renovations

St. Mary’s, a pre-K through 5th grade Catholic school in Ballston Spa, upgraded its playgrounds, enhanced its security, and revamped some of its facilities during the summer break. 

According to Principal Allen Hills, a larger window has been added to the vestibule area so that visitors can show their identification and sign in before being allowed inside. This added layer of security is in addition to the cameras installed last year. Principal Hills said that St. Mary’s is the only private school with a full-time School Resource Officer in the Capital District. 

Improvements have also been made to the school’s playgrounds. Both the main playground and the smaller preschool playground had their pavement replaced with softer surfaces. White fences were added around the playgrounds for privacy and safety.

The school also added new flooring to its entire first floor.

“The money that was raised during our gala has covered most of the [renovation] costs,” said Principal Hills. “Parents, their involvement and their hard work raising that money, has manifested itself in these beautiful improvements.”

Saratoga Springs Welcomes New Assistant Principals

The Saratoga Springs City School District appointed three new assistant principals last month. 

Katie Ehmann was named Assistant Principal at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School, and Kara Likar and Christine Vilardo both joined Maple Avenue Middle School as Assistant Principals.

Ehmann is returning to the district after serving as the Assistant Principal at Stillwater Elementary School. She began her career as an elementary teacher at Dorothy Nolan.

Likar most recently served as the Assistant Principal of Castleton Elementary School. Prior to that, she worked as a social studies teacher and administrative intern at Shenendehowa’s Acadia Middle School.

Vilardo joins the middle school after serving as both an English teacher and a conduct and restorative instructional coach at Saratoga Springs High School. Prior to that, she worked as an English teacher at Queensbury Middle School.

Spa Catholic Adds New Teachers and Therapy Dog

The Saratoga Central Catholic School added a number of new educators over the summer, including Ann Costantino (Interim School Counselor and Health teacher), Jennifer Isele (6th Grade English Language Arts and 6th Grade Writer’s Workshop teacher), Patrick Gormley (Art Teacher and Girls Golf Coach), Thomas J. Horn Jr. (part-time Theology Teacher), and, last but certainly not least, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever therapy dog named Charlie. 

Costantino has been teaching a range of subjects at Spa Catholic for the past six years. In her new position, she’ll focus on supporting students both socially and emotionally, as well as assisting them with academic guidance and preparation for their future endeavors, whether that involves college or entering the workforce.

Isele holds a Master’s Degree in Education from The College of Saint Rose and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fairfield University. She previously taught English at Queensbury High School from 2008 to 2016. Prior to her teaching career, Isele worked in the publishing industry at Thomson Delmar Learning.

Gormley’s experience includes 25 years as a tenured teacher at Queensbury High School, along with positions at Averill Park and Williamsville South High Schools. He also served as Principal of St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus School during the last academic year. He is an alumnus of the Spa Catholic Class of 1985.

Horn Jr. will be teaching Theology 10, Theology 11, and Theology 12. He began his teaching career at Mohonasen High School, where he taught for two years. He then spent 28 years at Fort Edward School. Most recently, Horn Jr. served at Catholic Central High School for 11 years, where he taught Theology.

Charlie is a therapy dog certified through Therapy Dogs International. He will be joining the Guidance Office most Mondays from 1 p.m. until the end of the school day. 

New Family Outreach Coordinators

The Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs added Isabella Ronda and Erica Riekert as Family Outreach Coordinators. Both will contribute to the center’s prevention-based afterschool program, Project Lift.

Riekert’s previous roles include Education/Curriculum Coordinator at Saratoga Independent School and Education Director at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Ronda was previously a substitute teacher at Van Schaick Grade School in Troy.

Ronda will be overseeing the Project Lift program at Division Street and Dorothy Nolan Elementary Schools, while Riekert will manage the program at Caroline Street and Lake Avenue Elementary Schools.