Ballston Spa Central School District Superintendent Dr. Gianleo A. Duca announced Matthew R. Griep would be the School District’s new Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics.
Matt is the current Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at South Glens Falls Central School District, where he has worked for six years leading a comprehensive health, physical education, and athletic program serving nearly 3,000 students, 1,300 student athletes, 140 coaches and staff, 77 teams, and 20 physical and health education teachers.
Prior to taking this position in South Glens Falls, Matt was the Assistant Director of Student Activities in Fairfax, Virginia where he led and assisted in the organization and implementation of both athletic and non-athletic student programs, the health and physical education programs, as well as the fine and performing arts programs.
Matt’s wealth of experience in these realms as well as his commitment to student athlete mental health, and his experience serving as the Foothills Council Secretary and the Section II Foothills Council League Representative, set him apart from other qualified candidates during a very rigorous interview process.
Matt holds a BS in Physical Education and a BS in Health Education — both from East Stroudsburg University —as well as Masters in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. He currently resides in Saratoga with his wife, Erin, and three children.
He will begin his new leadership position at Ballston Spa on July 1, 2025. Please join us in welcoming Matt to the district!
The Saratoga Automobile Museum is excited to present two exclusive auctions that blend fine art, luxury fashion, and historic design, all to support the Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Fine Art & Antiquity Auction will take place on Friday, June 6 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Saratoga Springs. Following this Auction will be an online only Designer Shoe & Sunglass Auction.
A special Preview Day will be held on Thursday, June 5 from 5 PM to 7 PM, giving guests an exclusive first look at the auction offerings. The live Fine Art & Antiquity auction begins at 10 AM on Friday followed by the online Designer Shoe & Sunglass Auction at 1:30pm. You can view all of the items online at www.saratogaautoauction.org.
The event features works by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol and Alec Monopoly, along with a selection of designer shoes and sunglasses from top luxury brands. From contemporary pop art to timeless antiquities and couture accessories, this event brings together art, fashion, and culture in a setting that reflects the Museum’s spirit of excellence and design.
You do not need to attend in person to participate. Biddings are available online, so you can join from the comfort of your home. To register to bid online or view the full auction catalog, visit the Museum’s Auction website at www.saratogaautoauction.org.
Held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, located at 86 Congress Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, this event is perfect for collectors, fashion lovers, and Museum supporters. All proceeds benefit the Saratoga Automobile Museum, helping to fund exhibitions, educational programs, and the preservation of automotive history.
For more information, or to register to bid, please visit or the museum’s website at www.saratogaautomuseum.org
Join us for a day of fine art, fashion, and philanthropy in support of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
For the past year, The Charlton School has been undergoing extensive renovations, designed to positively impact the lives of the young women it serves, who reside on its 275-acre campus in Saratoga County.
As the project comes to completion, the students who are learning and growing within this unique therapeutic learning community will have some much-needed enhancements to help foster their space for growth.
On Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10 a.m., key stakeholders involved in The Charlton School’s largest renovation since 1955, will gather to celebrate the culmination of this project that will change the way the students live and learn on campus.
The Charlton School supports young women in grades 8-12, who are facing significant mental health challenges that are negatively impacting their daily lives. They provide a highly structured approach to therapeutic services and campus life, while also offering students a hands-on, experiential New York State High School Curriculum. Students are provided with individual and family therapy, as well as Art, Equine and Recreational Therapy.
One year ago, the groundbreaking was held to kick-off construction on four new student dorms, a new Campus Facilities building and a student Maker Space, in addition to the demolition of some old structures, and the installation of new sidewalks and walkways. The essential upgrades better reflect the high quality of therapeutic services and education being provided at The Charlton School.
Students who reside on campus will now have brand new accommodations, with eight students per dorm, which will better support their healing journey and provide a modern, safe, and inviting living space for their “home away from home”. Each student will have a single room, and share a bathroom with only one other student. The old dorms were built in 1955 and were no longer conducive to supporting the mission and forward progress being made at The Charlton School.
The Charlton School operates year-round and serves a total of 42 students from across NY, CT and VT with 28 living on campus and 14 day students being transported daily from local school districts. Students are referred to this highly unique therapeutic learning community by their home school districts when the Committee on Special Education determines a higher level of care and intervention is necessary.
As the construction project winds down, officials reflect on the success and say it was made possible by collaboration with partners, donors, students and staff, who have worked together to ensure the timely and safe completion since day one. Remaining students will be moving into the new dorms after graduation on June 26, 2025.
Executive Director, Alex Capo, said, “This whole project has been truly collaborative from the beginning. The genuine concern for our students, families, staff and our overall therapeutic learning community was felt on a daily basis by all of those on-site everyday. The new buildings and outdoor campus spaces are much more conducive to the healing and growth that is necessary for our continued success.”
From left to right: Carol Wang, $10,000 Jack Berkowitz Memorial Scholarship; Sarah Woytowich, $5,000 academic scholarship; Liam D’Evelyn and Rory Serritella, $2,500 academic scholarships; Norah Hoke, $5,000 academic scholarship, and Katelyn Hogan, $2,500 academic scholarship.
Academic scholarships totaling $30,000 were awarded to six Saratoga Springs High School students by the Saratoga Springs Lions Club.
The $10,000 Jack Berkowitz Memorial Scholarship for scholastic achievement and community service was presented to Carol Wang; two $5,000 scholarships were awarded to Sarah Woytowich and Norah Hoke; and three $2,500 scholarships went to Rory Serritella, Katelyn Hogan and Liam D’Evelyn.
All five were cited for their scholastic achievements, their involvement in sports and music, and their ongoing participation in volunteer activities.
PreK students play on the PreK playground at Saratoga Independent School.
Saratoga Springs— Saratoga Independent School (SIS) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its award-winning Preschool (PreK) program for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year.
Designed for 3- and 4-year-old children, the program offers a warm, happy, and nurturing environment where young learners thrive through a balance of play and enriching educational experiences.
This expansion reflects increasing demand from families seeking a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program that encourages intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth in a safe and supportive setting.
“At Saratoga Independent School, we believe children learn best through hands-on, meaningful experiences,” said Shauna Swinimer, Lower School Director. “Our PreK expansion will allow more families to access the type of early education that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and kindness.”
The SIS PreK program emphasizes small class sizes, with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio and two experienced educators in each classroom. Children enjoy hands-on, thematic learning that incorporates early literacy and math skills into everyday activities. Students also participate in Spanish and music classes each week, adding rich layers to their language and creative development.
Students will spend time outdoors on the school’s 60-acre campus, exploring wooded trails, learning in natural settings, and developing gross motor and social skills on the PreK playground. Daily before- and after-care options as well as flexible enrollment options are available to meet the needs of different families.
The Half Day Morning program runs Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Full-Time Full Day program runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families looking for added flexibility can also take advantage of the Full Day Flex option, allowing students to attend full-day sessions on a drop-in basis, depending on availability.
Saratoga Independent School accepts applications on a rolling basis, but families are encouraged to schedule a tour and apply early, as PreK classes fill quickly.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please go to www.siskids.org/tour or contact the Admissions Office at (518) 583-0841 or cfortune@siskids.org.
(left) Fifth Grade- Fifth Graders participate in the Pentathlon. (right) Third Grader receives a newly made shawl at the Brookside Museum. Photos courtesy of the Waldorf School
Third and fifth graders from the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs had the opportunity to connect with history recently. While fifth graders participated in a pentathlon with neighboring Waldorf schools, the third graders learned how wool goes from sheep to garment.
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs hosted a Pentathlon—an honored Waldorf tradition celebrating the strength, beauty, and balance of the ancient Greek ideals. The school was proud to host students from six neighboring Waldorf schools at Gavin Park as they competed in events such as javelin, discus, long jump, running and wrestling.
More than just a competition, the Pentathlon is a rite of passage that honors each child’s unique abilities and their spirit of sportsmanship. The annual event takes place as the culmination of the fifth grade’s in-depth studies about Greek history and culture.
Third Grade, meanwhile, recently enjoyed their second annual field trip to Brookside Museum to participate in its Sheep to Shawl program. This immersive experience includes both demonstrations and hands-on activities related to wool processing: shearing a sheep, washing and carding wool, spinning and making a shawl.
The four unique stations kept the students actively engaged as they observed and participated in the shawl-making process. The day was both educational and a lot of fun!
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs serves children and their families from early preschool through Eighth grade. At the Waldorf School, we value the healthy development of the whole individual, in mind, body and spirit.
For more information, visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org or call 518-587-0549.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
Now in its 26th year, the designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate “outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.”
“This honor reflects our district’s deep commitment to the arts and the outstanding efforts of our music educators, students, families, and community partners,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton.
“Music education is an essential part of a well-rounded education for many students here at Saratoga Springs, equipping us with skills that extend far beyond the classroom,” said Thomas Bundy, president of the Saratoga Springs High School Tri-M Music Honor Society. “It provides opportunities to collaborate with peers, explore diverse cultures, express ourselves creatively, and build lifelong skills—all while enriching both our school and local community.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the Saratoga Springs School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
Photo of a Maria College graduate at SPAC by Cindy Schultz.
Photo of Skidmore College graduates via Skidmore.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As we go on, we remember all the SPAC we shared together.
Two higher education institutions celebrated their commencement ceremonies at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) last weekend: Skidmore College and Maria College.
Skidmore conferred 628 degrees during its 114th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 17. Members of the 2025 class hailed from 42 countries, 35 U.S. states, and Puerto Rico. 412 Bachelor of Arts and 216 Bachelor of Science degrees were conferred. Poetjournalist Aaron P. Dworkin and Adam D. Weinberg, director emeritus of the Whitney Museum of American Art, both received honorary degrees and addressed the graduates.
The following day, Maria College awarded bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as practical nurse certificates, to 218 graduates in fields such as nursing, healthcare management, psychology, and liberal arts. Honorary doctorates were awarded to Sister Jean McGinty ’62 and Bartley J. Costello III for their leadership in healthcare and public service, while Maureen E. O’Brien received the McAuley Award for advancing disability inclusion and supporting student success. Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Crump encouraged graduates to lead lives rooted in resilience, purpose, and service to others.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Unofficial election results released late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning told an unsurprising tale: voters of the Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and Schuylerville school districts approved their respective budget proposals by wide margins and voted new board members into office in largely uncontested elections.
Only one ballot proposition was met with any significant resistance. Ballston Spa School District residents narrowly supported their district’s efforts to buy an electric school bus by a margin of 161 votes. The bus is expected to be a pilot program of sorts to test the range, cost, and efficiency of a zero-emission vehicle prior to 2027, when all districts across New York State will be required to begin purchasing electric vehicles for their transportation fleets.
School district logos via their respective district.
Saratoga Springs
Residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District approved the proposed $159,398,849 school budget for the 2025-2026 school year by a vote of 2,282 to 568. Voters also approved the following propositions:
The Bus Bond Proposition was approved by a vote of 2,284 to 560;
The Legacy 2025 Capital Project Referendum was approved by a vote of 2,312 to 520;
The Capital Reserve Fund Proposition was approved by a vote of 2,346 to 491.
Three candidates were also elected to the Board of Education. The vote counts were as follows:
Ashley Fogarty – 2,288 votes
Leigh Wilton – 2,182 votes
Natalya Lakhtakia – 2,175 votes
As of press time, these results were unofficial prior to being formally accepted by the Board of Education at a meeting scheduled for May 21 at 7 p.m.
Ballston Spa
Residents of the Ballston Spa Central School District approved the 2025-2026 budget proposal of $110,305,520 with an unofficial vote of 77% “yes” to 23% “no.” A total of 1,342 votes were cast. Three other propositions were also approved:
Prop 2 – School Vehicles: 1,031 “yes” to 310 “no”
Prop 3 – Electric Bus: 751 “yes” to 590 “no”
Prop 4 – Library: 1,125 “yes” to 219 “no”
Two candidates were elected to the Board of Education, with both seats beginning in July. Carrie Chapman received 1,042 votes and Tim Turbiak received 915 votes.
These vote tallies were unofficial as of press time, pending formal approval.
Schuylerville
Residents of the Schuylerville Central School District passed a $40 million budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 510 to 128. The capital project proposal also passed by a vote of 501 to 129.
Voters elected two members to the Board of Education to fill the following positions:
One five-year term beginning July 1. The seat will be held by Shaun Cumm, who received 514 votes.
One term that will commence immediately after the May 20 election (or as close thereto) and expires on June 30, 2027. The seat will be held by Bernie Buff, who received 500 votes.
In the Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees election, voters elected two candidates: Laura Dooley (538 votes) and BriAnne Mulligan (474 votes).They will each fill a three-year term ending in 2028. In addition, the Schuylerville Public Library’s budget appropriation proposition passed 558 to 80, increasing the annual budget appropriation by $32,000 to a total of $409,000.
“We’re grateful to our community for their continued support of Schuylerville students, staff, and schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman in a statement. “The approval of both the budget and the capital project proposal allows us to maintain the high-quality programs our families expect, while ensuring our facilities remain efficient and prepared for the future.”
“This vote demonstrates our community’s commitment to thoughtful planning and the continued success of our students,” said Board of Education President Bernie Buff. “These approvals ensure we can move forward with key improvements—both educational and infrastructural. We are grateful for the support of our voters.”
Waldorf students dance around a maypole at the school’s Spring Faire event. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Students, friends, and family members danced around a maypole as live music played during the Waldorf School’s Spring Faire on May 3.
Children enjoyed natural crafts such as botanical silk dying, wool felting, and making flower crowns. The outdoor pizza oven churned out slices while goats, rabbits, and even a dove (named Igor) made appearances. The event also featured The Rolling Pebbles (a youth folk band with two Waldorf students as members), a marionette show, and contra dancing.
