For months, the Pine Plains Board of Education has discussed reducing its three school buildings to two because of declining enrollment and the threat of deep state budget cuts. But on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the first of two community forums on consolidation, Superintendent Brian Timm introduced another option: putting all students — from pre-K through 12th grade — in Stissing Mountain High School.
“We could move into one building, have a one-bell schedule, and everyone would be dropped off and picked up by our buses at the same time,” Timm told the seven people in attendance.
Timm said that 20 years ago, Stissing Mountain High School accommodated 823 students, grades six through 12. In 2024–25, Timm noted, the district’s total enrollment was 783 students.
Another factor is that half of the district’s $8 million state support — $4 million in Foundation Aid — is in peril. “It became a talking point [two years ago] when [Gov. Kathy Hochul] considered getting rid of Hold Harmless, a law that makes sure we never receive less Foundation Aid than the previous year,” Timm said. “I thought we’d have it for one more year due to the fact that the governor is up for re-election in November 2026.”
But according to Timm, federal funding cuts have forced New York to look for ways to save money. “The state is passionate about healthcare — it’s the highest priority,” he said. “Now I’m worried that they’ll find the money they need [for healthcare] in Foundation Aid.” Timm hopes if the state does reduce funding it will do so gradually — by 20% annually for five years, or 10% annually for 10. “It would be inhumane to cut it in one fell swoop,” he said.
Closing two schools would come closer to closing that $4 million gap, Timm said. “But they couldn’t fit into this building as is. We’re not built for little people.” (Children in second grade and younger need smaller bathroom fixtures.)
Raising the district’s revenue is another way to offset the $4 million deficit, Timm said, “but taxes would have to increase by 23, 25%. Instead, we must bring our expenses down.”
The School Board’s 2024 building utilization study showed that shuttering one elementary school would save an estimated $1.5 million annually in operational and transportation costs, without affecting class size, programs, and services. Closing two would save $3 million. Additional money could come from renting or selling the unused buildings.
Timm said that rumors of closing Cold Spring Early Learning Center and putting all elementary students in Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center are untrue. “It’s a possibility,” he said. “But Seymour Smith is old and expensive to repair.” The district has estimated that refurbishing the structure, built in 1933, could cost as much as $25 million.
“Another option would be to move grades three, four, and five from Seymour [Smith] to the high school; second-graders would transfer to Cold Spring ELC,” Timm said. “We’d have to add a little playground at the high school, but the move would cost very little.”
Timm plans to attend the State Council of School Superintendents legislative committee meeting this week. “We’re advocating for our schools, and making sure our concerns are brought to the governor,” he said. “Of course, healthcare advocates are doing the same thing. Who will get the ear of the governor? Which way will she lean?”
The School Board will receive state funding estimates in February, and Timm said Hochul’s proposed 2026-27 state budget should be released by May. “Meanwhile, we’re looking at the operational costs of each building in detail, monitoring Foundation Aid, and working at being fiscally responsible,” he said. Timm also cited a change in the district’s hiring philosophy: “We stopped routinely backfilling staff and teaching positions the past few years to help minimize the impact [of consolidation]. If there has to be any workforce reduction, it would be based on seniority.”
Attendees actively participated in the forum. Pine Plains resident Mark Burns said the cause of declining enrollment is from the lack of affordable housing. “There’s no way a young family can live here without generational wealth,” he said. Timm agreed, noting that after the 82-member class of 2025-26 graduates, future grade levels will contain an estimated 60 students each.
Attendees prioritized small class size and keeping the “small school” feel. They had concerns about young children being on the same bus as high schoolers. Other recommendations included using Seymour Smith as the new Pine Plains Town Hall and upgrading the consolidated schools to make them more attractive to young families. “Taconic [Hills Central School] has all the kids in one building, and it’s beautiful,” Burns said.
A second community forum will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Cold Spring auditorium. Those unable to attend can register to receive an online survey here.
“The School Board will discuss the staff and community input in December,” Timm said. “We’ll make the [determination] of what the next school year will look like in January. We must be mindful that we’re making legacy decisions.”
I went to Seymour Smith in the 60’s when it was K-12 along with 3 older siblings and we all rode the bus together. I don’t remember any problems. I did. I even got to ride the bus with Ray Halbriter, the current Oneida Nation Representative. Really hate to see Seymour Smith close. Such a beautiful building and grounds. I recently took a ride to Stissing Mountain and it looks like a dump.
What is wrong with the kids riding the bus with high schoolers?
As a senior tax payer something has to be done to lower our school taxes and also give our students a good education. There’s no need for three schools and a two bell system. .Stissing MTN Junior Senior high school should be the only school kept open. The 12.9 million dollar capital project should have been used to do any upgrades needed to have all students in one school.