Superintendent

Dear School Community Member:

I hope this message finds you in the best of health and spirit as this school year is quickly coming to an end. I would like to update you on our budget vote and board election that took place on May 19th. First of all, I would like to begin by thanking the school community for approving our 2026-2027 school budget!

Your voice matters and this district proudly serves at the pleasure of the school community. The Board of Education and Administration worked hard to put a budget together that balances what our students need with what our taxpayers can afford. The District’s budget season goal was to once again have a minimal tax levy increase. That goal was achieved with a 1.5 % tax levy for the 2026-2027 school year. We have kept our budgets exceptionally low for the past several years and we hope to be able to continue that practice in the years to come.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Colleen Picciotti, Verna Greer, and Renee Kates who won their incumbent seats!

I would also like to congratulate the Class of 2026 for making it through very challenging times and coming out on top. This class was one of several graduating classes that were affected by the COVID Pandemic and, as a result, never got to have a sixth grade graduation. This loss, however was remedied on June 8, 2026, when the Senior Class visited BCES to do the annual graduation walkthrough of their beloved elementary school.

The senior class asked Principal Stinehour, who is retiring in June, if she would deliver their sixth grade graduation (moving up) certificates to them. She gladly agreed and the seniors, who will be graduating on June 27th, finally received their sixth grade certificates.

Emotions filled the small gym where this impromptu ceremony took place and our smiling seniors were made whole from the loss of this ceremony in 2020. The Fallsburg Central School District is proud of its graduates and we look forward to their future accomplishments with eager anticipation!

I would also like to take this moment to thank BCES Principal, Mary Kate Stinehour, for her 18 years serving BCES. Those years were exceptionally special for students, staff, the school community, and Ms.Stinehour herself. She will leave behind a legacy of successes at a variety of levels. The district is fortunate to have had her leadership present for almost two decades. We wish Ms. Stinehour the very best of everything in her retirement!

I would also like to take this moment to welcome our new BCES Principal, Ms. Pam Carr. Ms. Carr has served as a BCES assistant principal these past few years and is now ready and excited to take on the role of Principal. We wish her a successful tenure as the new Principal of BCES.

Have a great summer one and all!

Educationally yours,

Ivan J. Katz, Ed.D.