Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District

THANK YOU, OESJ! The budget and bus purchases were approved by the OESJ community tonight. The $21,297,061 2021-22 budget was approved by a vote of 176 to 34, a margin of 83.8% to 16.2%.... The proposal to withdraw $165,000 from the district’s reserve to purchase buses was approved by a vote of 169 to 40, a margin of 80.8% to 19.2%. Board member Shellie Walrath was re-elected with 155 votes and write-in candidate Anton Christensen received 39 votes.

Next is Kamden Battisti. Kamden is a member of the National Honor Society. Shas accomplished much success through sports, from beating personal records in track to coming together as a team in cheer and soccer. Kamden plans to attend FMCC to earn a Health Science degree, then transfer to a four year college to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Congratulations to the May Wolf Award recipients! https://youtu.be/wYMPvGGCijU

Next is Alexis Mumford. Alexis played soccer and softball in grades 9-12 as well as basketball in 12th grade. She is the Treasurer of the National Honor Society. Alexis plans to attend Portland State University for Environmental Sustainability Engineering.

Congratulations to the sixth-grade students on all their hard work!

Our next senior is Susan Hayes. Susan has worked very hard over the years to achieve good grades, and her hard work has paid off! Susan plans on enlisting in the military and will pursue a degree in the medical field.

Community voting will be held from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 18 at the OESJ Jr./Sr. High School auditorium (44 Center St., St. Johnsville) and at the OESJ Elementary School auditorium (6486 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville).

BE SURE TO VOTE TOMORROW, MAY 18! The proposed 2021-22 OESJ school budget keeps taxes the same as the 2020-21 school year while maintaining all student programs. Community voting will be held from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 18 at the OESJ Jr./Sr. High School auditorium (44 Center St., St. Johnsville) and at the OESJ Elementary School auditorium (6486 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville) on these proposals:... $21,297,061 budget carries a 0% tax levy increase; the state’s maximum tax levy increase would have allowed OESJ to raise taxes by 1.33%. One candidate for two, three-year seats on the Board of Education: Shellie Walrath (150 Allen Heights St. Johnsville). Allow the district to buy two 30-passenger buses for $165,000 from the district’s reserve. This would have NO IMPACT on the 2021-22 tax levy. While the Board of Education could have raised taxes by as much as 1.33% according to the 8-step state tax levy formula, board members opted to keep the tax levy increase to zero. We may not be able to keep the tax increase to 0% every year, but it seems especially important to do so this year, said Superintendent Adam Heroth, noting that many families have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. OESJ, as did all other school districts, received a boost in state aid from the NYS budget. The state Legislature also promised to fully fund Foundation Aid over the next three years. Though not included in this budget, federal stimulus funding for OESJ is in place to keep school finances in order until 2024. Heroth noted that 59% of the budget goes for salaries and benefits and 11% is for debt payments. The budget adds a Jr./ Sr. High School math and Spanish teacher, an elementary teacher and includes a health insurance premium increase of 13.5%. The budget includes these reductions: transportation supervisor, special education teacher and two retirees from the fall have not been replaced.

We continue our Senior Spotlight with Sydney Eggleston. Sydney is a member of the National Honor Society. She played soccer and basketball for all 4 years of high school and was a member of the track team her freshman and sophomore years. She also plays soccer for Capital United. Sydney plans to attend Siena college and intends on pursuing a degree in a field where she can help people.

Fifteen girls grades 7-11 met for Girls’ Group on Monday afternoon. Each month this group meets and takes part in a fun activity. This month they made their own tacos! In June, the girls will be making friendship bracelets. Any girls interested in joining for the upcoming school year should contact one of the following staff members: Mrs. Kelly, Ms. Rogers Mrs. McAdams, Miss Bennett, Miss Montanye, or Mrs. Stalteri.

Our last senior is Abigail Williams. Abigail is a member of the National Honor Society. Abigail transferred to OESJ from Maryland, and hopes to one day give back to the person who has supported her most throughout her life-her mom! Abigail plans to attend Suny Brockport to study Criminal Justice.

Our third senior is Travis LaFountain. Travis played basketball, soccer, and baseball throughout his high school career. He helped win a Section 2 championship title and played in the state finals. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Travis plans to attend Siena College.

December Wolf Awards

OESJ Parents and Guardians You can take advantage of our text Messaging Service Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more....Continue reading