MIDDLEBURGH - Long-time Middleburgh secondary school guidance counselor Kelly Pacatte will be retiring at the end of the school year.

At their February board meeting, Middleburgh school board members accepted Ms. Pacatte's retirement effective July 1 with regret and well wishes.

Employees still have until March 1 to declare their retirements before the next school year.

Ms. Pacatte's retirement, along with other retirements, will help reduce expenditures for the 2026-27 school year as they will be replaced with younger, lower-paid employees.

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In other action, board members:

* Appointed the following support staff substitutes: Erin Hayes and Kiersten Mickle, both at the current sub rate.

* Accepted the resignation of Valarie Slater as a bus aide effective November 25, 2025.

* Approved Brody Smith as a long-term volunteer for athletics for the current school year.

* Accepted the resignation of Nancy Brewington as a bus driver, effective February 2, and appointed her as a bus aide, effective February 11.

* Appointed Jamie Hotaling as a extracurricular advisor for the high school art club at the current MCSTA contract.

* Approved in-service credit hours for Rebecca Quinn.

* Approved overnight trips for Camp Oswegatchie in Croghan from March 13 to 15 and the Senior Trip to Ocean City, New Jersey from May 28 to 30.

* Approved the participation of the MCS high school clay target team in the New York State high school Clay Target League for the 2026-27 school year.