District News

FFCS on the radio

Fonda-Fultonville Superintendent Dr. James Hoffman showcased our school district over the air when he appeared as the guest on WCSS 1490AM radio's "Sound Off with Sam & Mike Show" on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Hosts Sam Zurlo and Mike Mancini (not our high school teacher nor any relation to Athletic Coordinator Alex Mancini) introduced Fonda-Fultonville Central School as the "model" for schools in Montgomery County. They, then, questioned Dr. Hoffman on a variety of subject ranging from sports to school budgets. Among the topics were:

Sports - Fonda's sports program is a perennial success. Programs and individual athletes rise to top in the area. Both girls and boys basketball programs are currently undefeated. F-F athletes often move on to successful college athletic careers. Josh Nethaway who is now at SUNY Albany is a prime example. Next year, Fonda-Fultonville leaves the Western Athletic Conference to join the Colonial Council. F-F will be an average sized district and is making the move to take advantage of the higher level of competition available from larger schools. Dr. Hoffman credited much of the success to Alex Mancini

Academics - According to the Capital District Business Review, F-F is ranked among the best schools in the Capital District. To further improve, new programs such as Project Lead the Way at the middle and high school (a pre-engineering course for high school) and Financial Literacy at the high school (a practical course to teach personal financial skills) prepare kids for the future. Keeping kids in school is a challenge, but high school principal David Halloran and the guidance staff work to keep students in school and to help them graduate.

Personal Development - Character Education is a critical part of education at F-F. From naming the physical areas of the elementary school after the various character pillars to the monthly character education assembly, elementary students learn the important idea that everyone needs to be a good person and a good citizen. These lessons help positively impact every F-F student throughout his or her life.

Energy - FFCS generates its own heating, cooling, and electricity through a gas-fired cogeneration plant. Paired with a grant to upgrade electrical fixtures, the district expects to save as much as $50,000 per year in energy.

School Finance and Budget - No one knows what to expect for the coming year. The state is out of money and we can, however, expect that education will face cuts in state aid just as other state-funded projects and industries will be cut. Until the governor and the legislature release their budget, schools can only prepare for the tough road ahead.

Budget Roundtables - Last year the district invited the public to come and discuss their concerns as they related to the budget. The opinions shared at that meeting became an instrumental part of the budget creation process. The district will, again, hold hearings. As the budget moves further along, Dr. Hoffman agreed to return and discuss the school's finances in more concrete terms.

"This turned out to be a great opportunity to let the people of the area know what we are working to accomplish at Fonda-Fultonville," said Dr. Hoffman. "I look forward to going back when the budget is further along."

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