Photo via the Schuylerville Central School District.
SCHUYLERVILLE — To celebrate Autism Awareness Month in April, Schuylerville Elementary School students and staff took part in a spirit week designed not only to show support for individuals with autism, but also to educate and inspire kindness, understanding, and friendship throughout the school community.
The physical education department created a special sensory-friendly unit, allowing all students to experience movement and games in a way that respects different sensory needs; classroom teachers incorporated a variety of educational activities into their week, aimed at helping students better understand neurodiversity; and each day had its own theme and small challenge to encourage empathy, inclusion, and self-awareness. The themes were:
• Monday – Team Up for Autism Day
Students wore their favorite team apparel, celebrating the idea that everyone is on the same team when it comes to inclusion. The day’s challenge: include someone in your game at recess.
• Tuesday – Neurodiversity Day
Students honored the diverse ways minds can work. Challenge: notice what’s unique about yourself.
• Wednesday – What’s Your Passion Wednesday
From Pokémon to painting, kids and teachers proudly dressed to reflect their interests, recognizing that passion is a powerful part of identity for those on the autism spectrum. The day encouraged students to start a conversation with someone about their passion.
• Thursday – Sensory Friendly Day
Students dressed in their comfiest (school-appropriate) clothes to reflect on how sensory experiences affect everyone differently. Challenge: notice what sensory experiences overwhelm or calm you.
• Friday – Go Blue Day
The school “blued out” in solidarity for Autism Awareness Month, with students and staff donning shades of blue from head to toe. The final challenge was: be kind.
To close out the week, elementary students came together on the playground for a Blowing Bubbles for Autism event. What began as a local initiative has now grown into a global movement, with tens of thousands of people participating in the bubbles event each April.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District will have two Board of Education seats up for election on May 20, with both seats commencing in July. District residents will select from the following candidates at the polls: Carrie Chapman and Tim Turbiak.
The Board of Education election, along with the school budget vote, will be held from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Residents of the Towns of Ballston, Milton, and Charlton can vote at Ballston Spa High School, while residents of Malta can vote at the Malta Town Hall.
Photo of Carrie Chapmanvia the Ballston Spa Central School District.
Carrie Chapman
Chapman is a native of Ballston Spa and attended Malta Avenue Elementary and the Ballston Spa middle and high schools. After graduation, she studied Psychology and Art History at the University of London, Goldsmiths, and earned a B.A. in Psychology from Hamilton College. She then moved to New York City, where she worked in fashion as a buyer and in product development for Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue for 14 years. Fashion took her around the world and across the country, but when it was time to raise her family, Chapman returned to the Village of Friends.
Chapman is the current president and former vice president of the Malta Avenue PTA. During her tenure, she has increased family and staff engagement while also building inclusive programs and community-building events. Beyond the school community, Carrie serves as a member of the Historic District Commission. She and her husband have a 6th grader at Ballston Spa Middle School and a 4th grader at Malta Avenue.
“My mission is to support our exceptional school district by championing every student’s success and promoting an inclusive community that builds a deep sense of belonging,” Chapman said in her candidate position statement. “Both of my parents were educators, and my father was a founding member of the Ballston Spa Education Foundation. I experienced firsthand the profound impact educators and school programs have — not only on students, but on families and entire communities. As a longtime resident, PTA president, and parent with children in the district, I look forward to rolling up my sleeves to support continued improvements in our schools while also tackling any obstacles that arise.”
Photo of Tim Turbiak via the Ballston Spa Central School District.
Tim Turbiak
Turbiak moved to the area in 2019 from Brooklyn. He graduated from Xavier High School in Manhattan in 2002 and completed his certification to become a Radiographic Technologist at the Bartone School of Radiography in 2007. He is currently employed with OrthoNY. Turbiak was a member of the Ballston Spa Board of Education from 2021 until 2024. During his time on the Board, he served on the Policy Committee and served as liaison to the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). Over the years, he has helped organize a number of fundraisers for organizations such as Toys for Tots, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He currently resides in Ballston Spa with his wife Eliana and their two children.
“It was such an honor to have served on the Board previously, and it’s my hope to be elected once again,” Turbiak said in his statement. “It will be my utmost priority to ensure the tools and resources our district provides to our students remain constant. The ability to achieve a meaningful diploma should be afforded to all students, and they should be provided the environment to see that through. In working with the rest of the Board of Education, we will navigate the concerns of students and families alike and come together as a community to overcome any obstacles which may come our way. Our students should be our top priority, and ensuring they have the resources to receive a meaningful diploma from Ballston Spa is something [on] which we can all agree.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, May 20, residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District will vote on a proposed $159,398,849 budget for the 2025-2026 academic year. This spending plan includes a 3.97% tax-levy increase, which remains within the allowable local tax cap.
The budget includes funding to enhance elementary social worker services and strengthen support for English Language Learners. Continued investments in Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are designed to help students with the skills and experiences needed for success in college and career.
New this year, funding has been allocated to launch a Participatory Budgeting initiative at the high school. This opportunity will engage students directly in the decision-making process, allowing them to determine how a portion of the school budget is spent—providing them with experience in civic engagement and leadership.
This year’s budget also includes nearly $2 million in savings through what the district calls “strategic operational efficiencies and staff reallocations.”
More details about the proposed budget can be found at: www.saratogaschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25-26-Budget-Booklet-Final-1.pdf.
Also on the Ballot:
• Bus Bond Proposition: This would authorize the school district to issue an estimated $2,060,000 in serial bonds to purchase 70-passenger buses, 64-passenger buses with wheelchair lift, and Suburban vehicles for facility or student transport. State aid would reimburse the district for approximately 40% of the cost. These purchases are part of the district’s plan to replace buses near the end of their useful lives to reduce maintenance costs and help ensure a safe fleet of vehicles.
• Bond Proposition for Legacy 2025 Capital Project: This would authorize $142,872,000 for scope of work and authorize the use of $7,500,000 of fund balance ($3.5M 2017 Capital Reserve / $4M Unassigned Fund Balance). This would also authorize the issuance of Serial Bonds totaling $135,372,000. To learn more, visit www.saratogaschools.org/about-us/capital-project/2025-legacy-capital-project/.
• Capital Reserve Fund: This would authorize the district to create a reserve and fund it up to $10M for future capital projects after July 1, 2025. The useful life of the reserve would be 10 years.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Caroline Street, Division Street, Lake Avenue, Geyser Road, Dorothy Nolan, and Greenfield elementary schools. If you are uncertain where to vote, visit https://vip.ntsteamed.com/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College will be hosting fireworks displays on its campus on both May 15 and May 31. The shows will begin around 9 p.m. and last for about 10 minutes.
The fireworks are in honor of two celebrations: Senior Week (May 12-16) and Reunion Weekend (May 30-June 1).
The Skidmore campus is located at 815 N. Broadway.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On May 20, Saratoga Springs City School District residents will elect three people to the Board of Education for three-year terms. The candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are Natalya Lakhtakia, Leigh Wilton, and Ashley Fogarty.
A Meet the Candidates forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters, will be held on May 14 at 7 p.m. in the Saratoga Springs High School Teaching Auditorium.
Photo via the Saratoga Springs School District
Natalya Lakhtakia
Lakhtakia was elected to the Board of Education in 2019 and is running for her third term on the school board. She is a speech-language pathologist at a public elementary school. She is married and has one child. Natalya holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Penn State and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Utah. In addition to serving on the school board, her community involvement includes volunteering with Saratoga Stronger, community organizing with CDDSA, and volunteering within the Division Street PTA.
In her time serving on the school board, Lakhtakia was one of three board members who proposed the recent “Affirming Our Support for Every Student” resolution, which passed with a 7 to 1 vote. She was also one of several board members to push back against suggested schedule changes designed to help ease problems caused by the ongoing bus driver shortage. The idea of changing elementary school start times to 9:50 a.m., Lakhtakia said at a board meeting in December, made her “concerned that we as a board are going to come across as not really caring whether adults in the home can work or not.”
Photo via Skidmore College
Leigh Wilton
Wilton is running for her first term on the Board of Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Leigh currently serves as an Associate Professor at Skidmore College, where she has been involved in educational leadership and service. In addition to her work in higher education, she serves as the Regional Coordinator for Princeton Alumni Interviewers.
According to her Skidmore faculty page, Wilton’s research interests include diversity; race, gender, and multiracial identity; and social perception and intergroup relations. At Skidmore, she was part of a committee in 2021 that chose the summer reading book, “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. In her previous life as a business consultant, she worked with companies on-site across the US and in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, India, and Taiwan.
Ashley Fogarty
Fogarty is also running for her first term on the Board of Education. She is a 2001 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Siena College and a master’s degree in Special Education from the College of St. Joseph. She has worked as a special education teacher in Boston and New York City, and most recently served as the Director of Universal Pre-Kindergarten at the Saratoga Regional YMCA. Her past community involvement includes volunteering with the Special Olympics and the “I Can Bike” program.
Saratoga Springs City School District logo via the district.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the Saratoga Springs School District on Tuesday for allegedly violating Title IX.
The inquiry came as a result of a letter sent to the department last month by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose congressional district includes parts of the Saratoga school district.
“The Trump Administration has been unrelenting in our effort to ensure that women and girls’ educational experiences are not marred by sex discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “It is a clear violation of federal civil rights law, and of women’s dignity, to allow males to participate in female-sports and occupy female-only intimate facilities. Women fought for decades to secure Title IX protections, only to have these protections subverted and betrayed by those who prioritize a distorted ideology over fairness, dignity, and safety.”
“After my strong public advocacy, I want to thank President Donald Trump and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon for swiftly opening a formal investigation into the Saratoga Springs City School District for their failure to uphold Title IX protections for women and girls in sports,” Stefanik said. “The Saratoga Springs School Board’s resolution allowing biological males to participate in girls’ sports and access girls’ locker rooms is a blatant violation of federal law under Title IX and an affront to the progress generations of women have fought to achieve. I remain steadfast in my commitment to fighting for the rights and futures of our young women, and I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump in this important effort. Thank you to the local parents who brought this to my direct attention.”
A letter sent by McMahon to Saratoga’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton includes a request by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights for information it said was required for the investigation, such as:
• The district’s narrative response to the allegation under investigation and all documents or records referenced in the narrative response;
• All written policies or procedures in effect in, or followed by, the district during the 2024-2025 school year regarding the participation of male student athletes on girls’ athletic teams and/or their access to girls’ locker rooms;
• A copy of the district’s policy describing the definition or meaning of the words “sex,” “gender,” and/or “gender identity”;
• Any documentation regarding inquiries, complaints, or requested revisions to the policies or procedures regarding male participation in girls’ athletic teams and/or their access to girls’ locker rooms;
• A list of the district’s sports teams for girls and separately for boys for the 2024-2025 school year;
• A copy of the district’s athletic team rosters for all interscholastic sports teams classified for girls or women, identifying on each such roster any participants who are male.
The impetus for Stefanik’s letter and the subsequent Education Department investigation was a resolution recently passed by the Saratoga school board titled “Affirming Our Support for Every Student.” The resolution, which did not change any existing school policies, states, among other things, that the Board of Education would:
• reaffirm its support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105 titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education”;
• uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections;
• affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status, and that law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions;
• respect students’ chosen names and pronouns while also ensuring their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity.
The resolution appeared to be a clear attempt to combat several Trump administration policies that threaten to rescind federal funds from educational institutions that don’t comply with the president’s executive orders. According to Saratoga School Board Vice President Tony Krackeler, $3.1 million of the district’s 2024-25 budget came from the federal government. All of those funds, Krackeler said, are only amendable by an act of Congress.
According to the district’s Physician Advisor Dr. Emanuel Cirenza, there has only been one instance of a transgender athlete in the district in the last 28 years.
Prior to the investigation, the resolution attracted national attention due to the popular conservative X account “Libs of TikTok,” and the Riley Gaines Center, which sent its Ambassador Kaitlynn Wheeler to an April 10 Saratoga school board meeting to protest the resolution.
Stefanik is reportedly considering a run for governor after her nomination for UN ambassador was withdrawn earlier this year.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awarded certificates and monetary prizes to local flag and American history essay winners on April 22 at the Saratoga Holiday Inn.
The flag essay winners were from Lake Avenue School: Maceo London (1st place), Eve Cornish (2nd place), Abigail Black and Matthew Puryemebida (3rd place tie).
The American history essay winners were from Orenda Elementary School: Addison Bradley and Emily VanHuesen.
The flag essay subject was “What does the American flag mean to me,” and the American history topic was the “Edenton Tea Party in 1776”.
Maceo London’s flag essay was sent to the New York State DAR flag essay contest as the chapter winner. London then placed 2nd in the statewide contest.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Lions Club will award $30,000 in academic scholarships to six graduating high school seniors at a celebratory dinner on May 21 at Mama Mia’s in Saratoga Springs.
The $10,000 Jack Berkowitz Memorial Scholarship will go to Carol Wang.
Sarah Woytowich and Norah Hoke will each receive a $5,000 Lions Academic Program scholarship.
Rory Serritella, Katelyn Hogan, and Liam D’Evelyn will each receive a $2,500 Lions Academic Program scholarship.
All are seniors at Saratoga Springs High School and all were chosen based on their essays on their community service as well as their academic achievement, letters of recommendation, and all-around participation and leadership in sports, music, and other school organizations.
Wang has an unweighted GPA of 98.57. She plans to study neuroscience and biology. During her high school years, she was director of volunteers for the Stories for Success programs at Saratoga Hospital, Schuylerville’s Universal Pre-K, and Troy’s Universal Pre-K. Wang also is a youth board member of the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library and a volunteer at Saratoga Hospital. She also participated in several science programs at Skidmore College and Albany Medical College.
Woytowich has an unweighted GPA of 97.11. She plans to study chemistry, with a goal of becoming a physician. She is a volunteer at Saratoga Hospital and the Soup Kitchen at LifeWorks Community Action. She’s also a member of the future medical leaders club and several honor societies.
Hoke has an unweighted GPA of 99.32. She plans to study mechanical engineering. She is a member and lead programmer of a robotics team with 4-H; a STEM Week volunteer teaching children to build Lego robots and write code; a Robotics Showcase Volunteer at the Saratoga County Fair; and a volunteer coordinator and engineering station leader in the Science in the Community Club, which presents programs about STEM at local elementary schools.
Hogan has an unweighted GPA of 95.38 and plans to study early childhood education and special education, with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Her volunteerism is focused on working with and raising funds for St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer, the “Melodies of Christmas” program to benefit The Melodies Center at Albany Med, Give A Child a Christmas, and the Saratoga Literacy League.
Serritella has an unweighted GPA of 96.98. He plans to study business, finance, and accounting with the goal of a career in business administration. He is a volunteer with Toys for Tots, the American Red Cross, Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, the Athlete Mentor Program, Best Buddies, and Project Lift.
D’Evelyn has an unweighted GPA of 98.09 and plans to study engineering. His volunteer endeavors include Bikeatoga, where he repairs bicycles for the free bike donation program, and the Saratoga Rowing Association, where he is a junior coach and a member of the Learn to Row program. He also works as the audio/visual technician and manager for the Presbyterian United Church of Christ.
The SPAC School of the Arts “Access the Arts” final shares at the Spa Little Theater on April 30. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced this week that it has earned a Sensory Inclusive Certification from KultureCity, a national nonprofit at the forefront of the inclusivity movement.
The certification builds on the launch of SPAC’s new “All-Access Nights” and “Access the Arts” education programs, which offer free classes designed to promote a greater sense of belonging in arts programming for individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.
One of the only certified locations in New York State, SPAC School of the Arts opened in 2021 and is a multi-disciplinary school that provides music, theatre, and dance programming for children and adults.
“SPAC has always been dedicated to increasing access to arts education and the live performance experience,” said SPAC Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Sobol in a statement. “But over the past few years, we have expanded from solely presenting music and dance classes to incubating new educational programming that prioritizes barrier-free arts access. Becoming one of the only Sensory Inclusive Certified locations in New York State is an incredible achievement for our SPAC School of the Arts and we are proud to continue this important work serving our community.”
KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive Certification has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions across the globe. The program provides training and resources, enabling teachers and staff to better accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities. As a result, families and individuals can enjoy arts classes, live events, and public spaces with greater comfort and ease.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions, regardless of age. Individuals might become overwhelmed by crowds, lights, sounds, smells, or other external stimuli. As part of the certification process, SPAC School of the Arts staff were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags (equipped with noise canceling headphones), fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are also now available to all guests at SPAC School of the Arts.
SPAC also recently announced that it has launched a new “All-Access Nights” program at its SPAC School of the Arts, developed as a response to the need for inclusive spaces for school-age students, their families, and caregivers. The program launched with a pilot session in the fall with free music, theatre, and dance classes. The spring session runs every Wednesday through May 7, with the next session planned for Wednesdays in June.
“All-Access Nights” follows the creation of “Access the Arts,” a program for adults which began in 2023 and has since expanded its reach, working with six organizations including AIM Services and Saratoga Bridges across Warren, Washington, Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. The program takes place three days a week at SPAC School of the Arts with free music, improv theatre, and dance classes for adults in day habilitation programs. “Access the Arts” culminated in a final celebratory “share” with all students, staff, caregivers, and community members on April 30 at the Spa Little Theater.
ALBANY — Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) recently welcomed Saratoga Springs West Point Cadet Eve Crossett to the New York State Senate Chamber and honored her with a Senate citation. Cadet Crossett is intending to go into field artillery in the U.S. Army. She comes from a big Army family and participates in the Nordic Ski Club.
“It’s outstanding cadets and service members like Cadet Eve Crossett, along with the veterans who served before, who protect our nation and ensure that we can enjoy our rights to liberty and freedom. I’m proud of Cadet Crossett for her accomplishments and thankful for her service to our state and nation,” said Senator Jim Tedisco in a statement.
