GJSD Among 39 Schools Recognized for Excellence in State Audits
On February 9, 2010, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report summarizing audits of all 733 school districts and BOCES within NYS for the last five years. The report states that 39 of those districts “were particularly well run, with well-developed financial policies, effective internal controls, and well-managed operations.” The Greater Johnstown School District is proud to be one of the 39 districts to receive such positive recognition, as reported in the February issue of the NYSSBA publication "On Board." 

Elementary Restructuring Survey
The deadline for submitting a response to the elementary restructuring survey was June 18, 2010. The Board of Education and Administration are now in the process of reviewing the responses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate.

As a reminder, the survey is only one of many tools the Board of Education and Administration will be using as they investigate possible long-range solutions should district enrollment continue to decline. It should not be interpreted to mean that changes are imminent; its only purpose is to assist the school district in planning responsibly for the future in a manner that benefits both students and taxpayers.

Elementary Track Meet 2010
On June 4, 2010, over 400 fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Glebe Street, Pleasant Avenue, Warren Street and Wheelerville gathered at Knox Field to participate in an eagerly anticipated tradition - the Johnstown School District's annual elementary track meet. Read more, see track meet photos.

May 18 Budget Vote & Board Election Results
District residents adopted the 2010-2011 budget proposition of $27,639,167 by a vote of 600 in favor and 284 opposed. A proposition for the five year lease of a bus facility at Crescendoe Road was adopted by a vote of 691 in favor and 208 opposed; while the proposition for the lease of two school buses was adopted by a vote of 639 in favor and 242 opposed.

Candidates Paul VanDenburgh (612), Jennifer Sponnoble (569) and Douglas Dougherty (495) were the top vote getters in a six way race for three seats on the Board of Education and will be sworn in at the July 2010 organizational meeting. Candidates Bradley Yerdon, Russell Martin and Joanne Freeman received votes of 452, 340 and 287, respectively.

Residents Provide Valuable Feedback on Bus Garage in an Exit Survey
Voters exiting the JHS and Ephratah polling sites on May 18 had the opportunity to provide the Board of Education with their input on possible solutions for housing the district's transportation & facilities departments. Of the 955 residents who voted in person that day, 291 stopped to complete an anonymous survey in which they could choose from three possible options. Purchasing the 32,000 sq ft building currently being leased at Crescendoe Road was favored by 130 respondents; 121 individuals preferred entering into a 20-25 year lease for that same premises; and 38 people supported building a new 5,000 sq ft facility on district property. Two people wrote-in to suggest contracting out for transportation services in lieu of choosing one of the three options presented. The Board of Education thanks residents for taking the time to participate and providing valuable feedback for the district's consideration. 

Physical Education Student Leaders 2010
Twenty-four Greater Johnstown School District students were honored by the Capital Zone of the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance with the Sandy Morley Physical Education Leadership Award on May 3, 2010. Click here to read about it

On March 13, 2010, Johnstown’s elementary physical education teachers hosted the second annual Sure Shots competition. Students in grades three through six from each of the district's three elementary buildings competed in foul shooting contests in phys ed class and the top three boys and girls in each grade then competed in the Saturday event. Mr. Kraemer, Ms. Fredericks and Mrs. Cromer would like to thank Coach Scott Hale, Coach Tim Derwin and their varsity players for helping out at the contest; the Purple and Gold Club for donating the wonderful basketballs for prizes; and Mr. Frenyea for taking pictures. Congratulations to third graders G. Fitzgerald & E. Wager; fourth graders A. Morey & T. Porter; fifth graders R. Danylak & D. Jarabek; and sixth graders M. Morrison & K. Bentley. See photos from the event.

Student Works Advance to Next Level in National PTA Reflections Program
Congratulations to all of our Johnstown students who entered the 2009-2010 National PTA Reflections Program "Beauty Is..." and were featured in the Mohawk Valley Region Showcase on December 8, 2009 at the Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School Library. The Mohawk Valley Region PTA has announced that several of these entries will now advance to judging at the state level. Learn more here.