Following is a list, brief description, and contact information for the various departments making up the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District. Most district departments are located at the District Office, Hostetter Leadership Center, 88 Lakehill Road, Burnt Hills, 12027 unless otherwise noted below.
The district’s main phone number is 518-399-9141. For more information on each department click on the links below.
BH-BL’s Leadership Team
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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick McGrath, ext. 85002
In addition to managing the daily operations of the school district, the role of BH-BL Superintendent McGrath is to set a “vision” for the district and orchestrate plans to move toward that vision with the financial resources available. [Learn more about Dr. McGrath]
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Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction David Collins, ext. 85015
The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction is responsible for overseeing district curriculum and student achievement. [Learn more about Dr. Collins]
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Assistant Superintendent for School Support Services Dr. Christopher Abdoo, ext. 85025
The Assistant Superintendent for School Support Services is responsible for overseeing the district’s non-instructional staff, the district’s support services, capital projects, budgeting and strategic planning. [Learn more about Dr. Abdoo]
Athletics Department
Director of Physical Education & Athletics Joe Scalise, ext. 83307
BH-BL believes that participation in sports provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences that assist students in their education. Accordingly, the district offers students opportunities to participate in nearly 30 sports across three seasons. The district is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, competing as a Class AA school in Section II. League affiliation is with the Suburban Scholastic Council. [Athletics Department webpage]
Buildings and Grounds Department
Director of Buildings & Grounds Dan Diggins, ext. 84515
The Department of Buildings and Grounds and its staff of about 40 are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the district’s five school buildings, Transportation Center, and two maintenance buildings as well as its acres of grounds and athletic fields. Its goal is to keep the buildings safe and conducive to learning while protecting the public’s investment in its facilities. In addition to preventative maintenance and housekeeping, the department is also responsible for long-range planning, budget development and implementation, capital improvements, environmental regulation compliance, health and safety code compliance, New York State Education Department facility code compliance, the district courier service, employee training and risk assessment, and public use of buildings and grounds.
Business Office
Business Administrator Brenda Kane, ext. 85025
The district Business Office is responsible for overseeing all business operations including purchasing, payroll, accounts payable, tax collection and receiving. [Business Office Webpage]
Communications & Public Relations
Communications Specialist Tara Mitchell, ext. 85041
The Communications Office is the news and information source for the district. This office maintains the website and social media channels, is the liaison with the local media, and producer of a variety of awarding-winning district publications. These publications include budget & capital project newsletters, annual district calendar, curriculum guide, Continuing Education brochure, various brochures, guides, and more. These publications are routine winners in the National and New York School Publication Relations Association contests for Educational Journalism. The mission of the Communications Office is to effectively communicate with parents, residents, staff, and students the many activities, events, accomplishments, and other happening in our schools as well as provide greater public accountability and build long-term community support for the school district.
Community Services
Continuing Education
BH-BL offers continuing education for all adults. Minimum fees are charged for registration, instruction, and materials. A brochure listing the course offerings is mailed to all residents in August and January, and classes begin each September and January. [Continuing Education Webpage]
Community Outreach
BH-BL supports programs aimed at helping local families, such as the backpack program, Spartan Community Fund, etc. BH-BL also works with community-based programs and services to foster relationships between the community and the school. Please contact Dacey Bonney at dbonney@bhbl.org for more information
District Clerk/Clerk of the Board of Education
District Clerk Tara Mitchell, ext. 85041
The District Clerk is also the Clerk of the Board of Education and oversees voting on the district budget, special propositions, capital projects, and school board elections.
Food Services Department
Director of Food Services Nicola Boehm, ext. 85003
The BH-BL Services Department offers a comprehensive breakfast and lunch program in each school building as well as free and reduced meals for those students and families that qualify. [Food Services Webpage]
Health & Wellness Department
The District Health Offices and Social Worker Offices are located at each school building within the District. The Health and Safety department and the nurses in each school provide a variety of services to students and their families including early health appraisals, examinations for interscholastic sports and working papers, annual screening of students’ weight, height, vision, hearing and scoliosis, assistance to students with physical and emotional disabilities, first aid for accidents and illness, record maintenance for health immunizations and more. School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy.
[Health Webpage] [Social Workers Webpage]
Human Resources Department
Staff Resources | Onboarding & New Hires | Retirement
Technology Department
The district Technology Department is responsible for overseeing and implementing the district’s computer hardware, software and electronic networking systems; the long-range technology plan, the BH-BL and New York State Data Warehouse system to improve business, personnel and instructional functions; the Wide Area Network, virtualized server and Electronic Document Management Service; employee and student tech support, Internet and email security, and initiatives for integrating technology into the curriculum to improve student achievement.
- Administrator for Technology and Instructional Media / Data Protection Officer | Doug Carlton
- Chief Information Officer (CIO) | Tracy Falvo
- Auditorium and Operational Technology Manager | Matt Mascelli
- Information Technology Manager | Mike Steinberg
Special Services Department
Director of Special Services Department Sharon McTygue, 85008
The district is responsible for providing special education services to all resident students who qualify for such supports. These services are coordinated by the Director of Special Services also oversees the district’s health (nurses), counseling and mental health (social workers and school psychologists) services for all resident students. [Special Services Webpage]
Transportation Department
Administrator for Student Transportation Katria Hitrick, ext. 83524
The district Transportation Department is located at the District Bus Garage, 23 Lakehill Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019.
BH-BL’s 70-bus fleet travels more than 700,000 miles a year, transporting more than 3,100 students to and from its five schools. The buses are also used for sporting events, out-of-district runs, shared transportation runs, field trips, summer school, and other events. [Transportation Webpage]