Dear Chenango Forks Families,
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I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well and enjoying the start of spring. It continues to be an exciting and productive time in Forks Nation, as we build on the momentum of our District’s Strategic Plan with a continued focus on improving outcomes for our students and families.
Our Strategic Plan remains grounded in four key priority areas:
• Preparation for Life and Career
• Academic Excellence
• The Student Experience
• Community Partnerships
We’re proud of the meaningful strides we’ve made in each of these areas over the past year. We’ve expanded work-based learning opportunities to include more job shadowing experiences for high school students as well as provide opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience on our campus through various student assistant programs. Additionally, we have continued building partnerships with regional programs like New Energy New York, and further embedded leadership and character education through the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” framework across all grade levels. These efforts continue to be supported by grant funding, which have also allowed us to improve our district-wide safety equipment and systems.
All of these programs are built upon a foundation of academic excellence and growth. Our district remains a regional leader in providing academic opportunities, offering over 30 Advanced Placement and concurrent college credit programs. While at the same time, we have been instilling new academic support systems to support students who are struggling with concepts and addressing learning gaps as a result of the COVID pandemic.
We would greatly appreciate your feedback and input of ideas as we evaluate the progress of our strategic plan and make adjustments for the future. Please consider sharing your thoughts by participating in this ThoughtExchange survey by visiting - https://tejoin.com/scroll/206799915
A Responsible Budget for 2025–2026
Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, we’ve crafted a budget that remains focused on opportunity, equity, and fiscal responsibility. This year’s proposed tax levy increase is 2.01%, which reflects our commitment to providing quality programs while being mindful of our taxpayers.
As with many districts across the state, we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by changes in state aid. Through careful planning and ongoing cost analysis, we’ve been able to avoid program cuts while still identifying long-term efficiencies. Our approach has centered on strategic savings through attrition and resource sharing — ensuring that our students still receive a premier education.
Capital Project Progress
We are also making exciting progress on our capital project. This year, we’ve completed the locker rooms and team rooms, a key component of the high school pool renovation project. We are eagerly anticipating the completion of the pool by next winter, which will provide our students and community with a much-needed, modern facility for instruction and athletics.
Additional improvements including critical plumbing upgrades, bathroom renovations, and infrastructure repairs are also underway at the high school. These are long overdue enhancements that will positively impact our students’ and community.
What to Expect This Summer
This summer, you’ll see a significant increase in construction activity as we move forward with the next phase of our capital improvements. New work will begin on long-needed plumbing and drainage upgrades, as well as the construction of brand-new baseball and softball fields. These projects are part of our vision to provide top-tier facilities that match the talents and efforts of our students.
Looking Ahead Together
As always, I want to thank our Chenango Forks community for your continued support and engagement. Your feedback, input, and investment in our schools make everything we do possible. We are proud of the work happening across our district and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts as we move into another exciting year.
Together, we stay committed to our vision of being “a community where all learners grow and excel.”
Sincerely,
Tom Burkhardt, Superintendent