School Board votes to reduce tax levy

Tax rates increase an average of 2.1 percent 

Members of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education have approved a 2010 tax levy that is $100,000 lower than the levy advertised in May. Tax rates will increase by an average of 2.1 percent across the district, but many homeowners will also benefit this year from higher STAR exemption values.  READ MORE

Middle School principal Don Germain to retire October 1

After 36 years as a professional educator, including the last eight years as principal of the O’Rourke Middle School in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district, Don Germain has announced he will be retiring effective October 1. READ MORE

Class of 2006 members cycling across the USA in tribute to former friend

Four intrepid members of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Class of 2006 are biking across the USA to to honor former friend Eric Zagorda, who died of leukemia in 2008.  On August 3 they were greeted by a cheering crowd when they arrived at the BH-BL High School -- one stop in their trans-continental bike journey to raise money to fight leukemia. READ MORE

English & math proficiency rates decline as NY raises the bar

(July 30 press release) Test results made public by the State Education Department on July 28 show a sharp decline in the percent of pupils in grades 3 - 8 deemed proficient in English and in math -- not because the students' performance declined, but because the state has raised its standard of what constitutes proficiency. READ MORE

Higher state testing benchmarks to impact BH-BL

(July 23 press release) Burnt Hills school administrators expect they will have more pupils needing extra help when classes start this September. The change is likely because on July 19 the Board of Regents approved the State Education Department’s plan to change the definition of what constitutes “proficiency” in English and math for pupils in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades  READ MORE

Board of Education votes to sell the Hostetter Building 

Former elementary school currently used for offices & storage, survived flood in 2008

At their meeting on July 13, members of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education took the first formal step toward resolving what has been a long-standing question in the school district: what to do with the former Glenhaven elementary school, now known as the Hostetter Building, at 50 Cypress Drive, Glenville. Board members approved a resolution stating that the building is no longer usable for pupil instruction, and the district therefore intends to sell it.  READ MORE

Blowers elected board president, and Maughan is VP for 2010-11

At their annual meeting on July 13, members of the BH-BL Board of Education kicked off a new school year by electing John Blowers as president and James Maughan as vice president for the board for 2010-11. BH-BL presidents are elected for a one-year term on a rotating basis. Go to Board Members for contact information and new PTA liaison assignments for 2010-11.

Board of Education changes September 2010 school opening days

After discussions at several meetings, on June 22 members of the BH-BL Board of Education voted unanimously to approve changes in the schedule for the opening of school next September. A change had been requested by several district Jewish parents who objected to having the first day of classes on one of the highest holy days in the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah, which falls unusually early on September 9th this fall (which is the Thursday after Labor Day).

The new plan adopted by the Board moves the first day of classes to Friday, September 10 for all grades except kindergarten (whose classes will start on Monday, September 13).  September 9 will now be the district-wide staff development day that is usually held in October, so that a day of pupil instruction will not be lost. Board members James Maughan and Elizabeth Herkenham both described this compromise as a "win-win solution."

For more information, go to 2010-11 Vacations at a Glance or the revised One-page 2010-11 calendar (pdf format). The complete 28-page calendar with detailed school events will not be available until the last week of July.

Memorial Day Ceremony held at high school  

The annual Memorial Day ceremony at Freedom Circle in front of the BH-BL High School this year on Tuesday, June 1.

The ceremony was put on by the Student Government Organization. It included the playing of Taps and the reading of a list of BH-BL alumni known to have died in service to our country. The names of these 21 servicemen are carved in two memorial stones placed in Freedom Circle. Anyone knowing of other BH-BL servicemen or women who have died in service is asked to contact SGO advisor Renee Tolan at the high school at  399-9141, ext. 3372.

Career Pathways Summer Camps offer tech-based, hands-on learning

Area students entering grades 9 - 12 next fall can apply to have fun exploring math and science careers in emerging technologies through one-week Career Pathway Summer Camps based at local colleges in July and August.

Opportunities include "Build a Better Robot," "Schenectady Women in Science," "SEMI High Tech U Camp," and four more.

The camps are tuition-free, though meals and transportation must be provided by the family. Students must be recommended by a teacher or counselor, and space is limited. For all the details, see the Career Pathways Consortium press release and go to www.questar.org/summercamp to apply.

High school art, music and drama efforts on display

Members of the BH-BL High School Drama Club presented You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on May 14 and 15.  This special production was directed, produced and performed entirely by high school students.

For details on recent music competitions, and the Arts Fest, go to the High School homepage.

BH-BL has best graduation rate in Suburban Council

Once again our high school has tied with Niskayuna for having the highest cohort graduation rate among all 13 Suburban Council High Schools.

Data released by the State Education Department on March 9 shows that 93% of BH-BL and Niskayuna pupils who started high school in the fall of 2005 successfully graduated with a local, Regents, or better diploma by August 2009 -- as opposed to pupils who, after four years, are still in high school, received an IEP certificate, dropped out, or entered a GED program.

All 13 Suburban Council schools had graduation rates significantly above the state average of 72%, but at 93%, Niskayuna and BH-BL were the best among Saratoga County and Suburban Council schools. Data for the whole state is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/pressRelease/20100309/home.html

BH-BL 8th grade super-speller is going to Washington D.C.

After five hours of competition against students from an 11-county region, BH-BL middle school student Ashley LaMere was the winner of this year's Capital Region Spelling Bee. Go to the Middle School home page for more details and photos. Congratulations Ashley!!

School Board raises property tax exemption limits

March 1 was application deadline

BURNT HILLS: In January the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education increased property tax exemptions for low income residents who are disabled or over the age of 65.  Eligible residents could apply for the exemptions at their TOWN assessor's office before March 1.

    The school board raised income limits for the tax breaks to the maximum allowed under New York State Real Property Law. The new limits range from a 5 percent tax exemption for senior and disabled residents earning $36,500 – $37,400,  up to a 50 percent tax exemption for those earning less than $29,000. More information & income chart

H1N1 Flu Updates

The BH-BL schools have now hosted 2 H1N1 flu vaccination clinics. For the details on these and our continuing vigilance regarding the flu, see the BH-BL Flu Updates page.

Board approves new contract with CSEA members

On January 26, Board of Education members approved a four-year successor contract with the BH-BL Civil Service Employees Association, which covers 267 full- and part-time staff members. Read more

BH-BL Referendum Results:

Energy proposition passes, safety & technology defeated

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake residents approved only one of three propositions at the district's Renovations Referendum on December 9. Results were as follows:

A total of 1,064 residents voted, including 41 who voted by absentee ballot. This is higher than the 914 who voted in the previous EXCEL referendum in March 2007, and a reasonable turnout considering the significant snow storm that the Capital Region endured during the morning of the vote.

Superintendent Jim Schultz thanked the residents who took the time to come out and vote despite the bad weather. "I'm heartened that in this tough fiscal environment our citizens are willing to support the critical infrastructure and energy conservation projects in proposition 1," he said.

The biggest projects in the approved proposition include $4.1 million for roofing work, $3.9 million for new boilers and heating system at the Stevens Elementary School, $1.7 million to replace single-pane windows at three schools, and new heating control systems at three schools.

Schultz expressed his disappointment at the defeat of propositions 2 and 3. "We will continue to ensure student safety and address students' technology needs with current resources as best we can," he said. 

For background, see Referendum overview

Pashley Elementary School video wins free technology

Congratulations to Mr. Kopa's 4th grade class at Pashley Elementary School!

Their brief music video "The Wizard of E" puts new lyrics to music from The Wizard of Oz.  It was chosen as one of the top 5 videos submitted by an elementary school in this year's "Interactive Classroom Makeover" national contest sponsored by eInstruction.

Although the Pashley kids did not win the overall contest (which included $30,000 of free technology), they did receive an excellent consolation prize of $2,500 of free hardware and software.

Board approves new contract with administrators

On Oct. 13, Board of Education members approved a three-year successor contract with the 19 members of the district's Administrators Organization. Read more

Calling all BH-BL Alumni!  
Details posted for upcoming Class Reunions    Does your class have a reunion coming up? You can read all the information we have about BH-BL reunions (or send us updated information for your class) by clicking the "Alumni" button on the left or here. Also, check out and join the BH-BL Alumni Database and see who else has registered from your class.

BH-BL sports program ranked #1 in New York

Ever heard the saying "you can't hide that Spartan pride" ??

Well, here's one more reason why. The New York State Sportswriters Association has just ranked Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake as having the # 1 interscholastic sports program in the state for the 2008-09 school year. Way to go, Spartans!!!   Read more

Fall interscholastic sports try-outs and practices start on August 17 and 24. See the high school homepage for details.

BH-BL cutting costs on health insurance & copier paper, gains new softball fields

Board of Education members received several pieces of good news at their business meeting on May 12.  Superintendent Jim Schultz reported that he has decided to accept recommendations from the district health insurance committee that are expected to save over $120,000 in the 2009-10 school year by ... Read more

School Report Card posted:  On August 11, 2008, the NY State Education Department made the 2006-07 Report Cards for all NY schools public on its website. You can view or download this compilation of 2006-07 test scores, graduation results, class size, attendance and other data for the entire BH-BL school district here (pdf format). More information and the report cards for the individual schools in our district can also be viewed on the State Ed. website by clicking on "Saratoga County" at New York State Report Cards.

BH-BL Science Bowl team heads to Washington D.C.
 

   Five BH-BL High School pupils and their coach, teacher Brian Watts, traveled to Washington D.C. on an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the National Science Bowl from May 1 - 6, 2008.  To earn this honor the BH-BL team of Douglas McErlean, Thomas Martindale, Emily Wexler, Sam Wilson and Matthew Wolf beat teams from Albany, Berlin, Bethlehem, Galway, Maple Hill, Niskayuna, Saratoga Springs, Scotia-Glenville, and Shaker high schools.

   The National Science Bowl is a fast-paced question and answer competition similar to Jeopardy. Students are quizzed on biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science, general science, and math. Regional winners' expenses are paid by the US Department of Energy, and their stay in Washington also includes seminars and tours of landmark buildings.  Go to National Science Bowl for more information.

Senior named semi-finalist in Intel science competition

BH-BL High School senior Matthew Wolf has been recognized as one of the top science pupils in the nation by being chosen as a 2008  Intel Science Search Semi-finalist for his three-year research project on carbon dioxide and global warming. He is the only Capital Region pupil so honored and the fourth BH-BL pupil to win this honor in the past seven years. More information.

"This is the best 'attaboy' a business office can get."

NY State Comptroller's office gives BH-BL top marks

After weeks of analysis, the NY State Comptroller's office announced that its auditors were unable to find ANY reportable weaknesses in the financial controls and recordkeeping of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district. Fewer than 5% of school districts audited to date have received a record of no findings like BH-BL. More information.

"Is my child safe at school?" is a question that parents can't help but wonder when there are so many stories about safety in the news. To view a list of the many things the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district does to protect students and staff, go to School Safety Update.

Special website feature:
"Policy Search" feature is live  The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education Policy Manual has literally hundreds of policies that describe and control how all aspects of our schools will operate. All these policies are available on this website. We also have a simple way to search through them instantly using key words or phrases that interest you. At BH-BL Policy Manual, you can view both the list of all policy titles and our policy search feature.

Non-Idling Policy  State law requires that all school buses turn off their engines when loading or unloading students on school grounds, except when necessary for heating, mechanical, or emergency reasons. The non-idling requirement applies to other school vehicles as well. A copy of the law and memo explaining it can be viewed at www.emsc.nysed.gov/schoolbus/anti-idling/home.html.