School Board Recognition Week Celebrated at GCS

 The Greenwich Central School District took time during its October 17, 2011 Board of Education Meeting to celebrate Board Recognition week and give thanks to the five volunteers who dedicate countless hours to our students, district, and community.  Students presented books to the Board of Education members to be added to the GCS library collection in recognition and appreciation of their distinguished service. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has proclaimed that “The men and women serving as members of the school board are dedicated to children, learning and community and devote many hours of service to elementary and secondary public education as they continually strive for improvement, excellence and progress in education.”

 

Left to Right: Thomas Graves, Riley Denaker, Joseph Oswald, Rachel Albrecht, Jill Autiello,
Ashleigh Maines, Laura Hall, Alexandra O'Brien and Michael Conlin.
Missing: Daniel Pemrick

School: Be wary of sports solicitation

Pitch made to Bethlehem residents for athletics not affiliated with district

By SCOTT WALDMAN Staff writer Times Union

A national solicitation that dupes residents into thinking they are supporting their local sports program has claimed its first victims in the Capital Region, officials said.

A Bethlehem resident and business have fallen for the pitch -- which the school district is calling a scam -- that asks residents to donate to the school district athletic program.

The claim is that the money will be used to sponsor sports programs, and the company, which uses the names Signature Sports and Sports Media, says it is printing sports calenders and posters. The company operates by soliciting and setting up direct charges to the sponsor's bank account, and then debiting or charging these accounts annually, Superintendent Mike Tebbano wrote in a warning letter to parents and residents.

"The bottom line is that school district officials will never ask for credit card or banking information," he wrote. "If you are approached to donate money in this manner, be suspicious."

The company generates billing statements that appear to be genuine. However, the fine print at the bottom of the bill notes that it is not affiliated in any way with the district.

There are mentions of the solicitation in Nevada, Connecticut and Massachusetts in a number of newspaper reports, going back to at least 2007. Occasionally, districts receive a nominal donation, but more often receive no benefit at all. The Guilderland district is also notifying residents, though no victims have been reported there. Residents in several area districts have received similar solicitations.

State aid reductions have forced area districts to make tough budget cuts, many in athletic programs. Many districts now have fundraisers to pay for sports. Residents should check with their district to be sure the effort is legitimate.

It is not legal to raise money for an entity without its approval, according to state law.

The incidents were revealed locally after a resident's bank account was debited $100 in the name of the district and she called to complain. The money was received by a group called Sports Media, located in Milford, Connecticut, Bethlehem Athletic Director John DeMeo said. He said someone from the company had gone door to door at some local businesses.

A phone call to the group was not returned. They were given an "F" rating by the Connecticut Better Business Bureau.

If approached, Tebbano said residents should visit the state Attorney General's Complaint Resource Center at www.ag.ny.gov/resource_center/complaints/complaints.html.

Public Statement from the Board of Education of the Greenwich Central School District

            The Board of Education, in response to the recent indictment of our Superintendent of Schools, Matthias Donnelly, has placed Mr. Donnelly on administrative leave pending resolution of these charges. In the interim, we will be promptly hiring a retired, and experienced, school administrator hired Thomas McGowan to serve as part-time Acting Superintendent of Schools until this matter is completed. Mr. McGowan recently retired as superintendent of the Glens Falls City School District.

            We are, of course, both surprised and deeply saddened by these events. From what we have been advised from the outset of these events, it has been our understanding that our staff had acted appropriately in addressing the issues brought to their attention. We certainly recognize, promote and support the need to address all issues involving student safety and well-being promptly and thoroughly. We also believe that it is important not to make any judgments with respect to these allegations until the completion of the court proceedings when all facts are fully addressed; certainly the critical concept underlying our justice system is that a charge is not a conviction, and that a person is innocent until proven otherwise. We believe that fundamental premise must be applied in this instance.

            However, we also believe that it is our duty and obligation to protect the overall best interests of our students and the school district and that has been, and will continue to be, our primary focus. By placing Mr. Donnelly on administrative leave, we will allow the school district to concentrate our efforts on the day-to-day operations of the school district without distraction.

            Until this matter is resolved, and in fairness to the justice process, we, both individually and collectively as a Board, will have no further comments on this matter.