Sharon Springs School Board Hears Presentation From Counselor

Sharon Springs School Counselor Lindsay Blowers gives a presentation at the April 27 school board meeting. Photo by Chris English.

SHARON SPRINGS — Sharon Springs Central School District School Counselor Lindsay Blowers gave the school board a detailed look into her job at the Monday, April 27 meeting.

During a presentation to board members, Superintendent Tom Yorke and Business Manager Tony DiPace, Blowers said among many other points that one of her prime focuses is the 80/20 rule, where 80 percent of her time is spent on direct services to students and the other 20 percent on issues like school support, crisis intervention and others.

She said she relies on surveys, feedback from teachers and others, and other methods to inform possible changes. Blowers, who works with all grade levels at Sharon Springs, said a big focus in the elementary grades is character education.

"Our teachers do a really good job in laying the groundwork for that," she said.

Before speaking, Blowers handed out a multi-page, detailed plan to board members and administrators.

"It's really cool you've taken the time to make a comprehensive plan," Board Vice-President Christine Cornwell said.

"Very informative," added fellow board member Brandi Kerber.

Yorke mentioned that he and others in the district work together with Blowers on delivering the best possible counseling services to students.

"One of the biggest things I've learned from working in a small school is collaborating with everyone," Blowers said.

In other news from the April 27 meeting, DiPace touched on the 2026-27 budget very briefly, saying that it's unfortunate New York State is so slow in finalizing its own budget while requiring school districts to have a budget in place for consideration before the state has its own.

"They force us to go through our budget blindly, not knowing exactly how much revenue is coming from the state," DiPace said. "It puts you guys (board members) in a very bad spot."

The board approved a 2026-27 budget resolution at the April 13 meeting calling for an $11.6 million budget with a 2.4 percent property tax increase and several staff cuts. DiPace said he expects to present the proposed budget at the May meeting after they are all printed, just before district residents vote on the budget on May 19.

The Sharon Springs Board approved a $16.1 million budget for the 24-member Capital Region BOCES. Each of the 24 school districts is required to vote on the BOCES budget.

Graduation dates are June 18 for kindergarten, June 26 for eighth grade and Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. for the 33-member Sharon Springs Class of 2026. Yorke and DiPace said the Saturday graduation for seniors is rare for the school district.