The Pine Plains Central School District Board of Education will appoint a new member following the resignation of Claire Copley-Eisenberg for health reasons. Board President Amie Fredericks announced the departure at the board’s July 8 meeting noting that Copley-Eisenberg had one year remaining on the three-year term she won in May 2024.
Fredericks outlined three options: Leave the seat vacant, host a special election, or appoint a replacement. Board member Jim Griffin flagged the high financial cost of a special election; Fred “Chip” Couse argued strongly against leaving the seat empty.
“There are too many critical issues on the docket,” Couse said. “It would be worthy to bring someone in with a great deal of familiarity with the projects we’re working on.”
The board ultimately agreed to appoint a new member to serve out Copley-Eisenberg’s term at its Aug. 4 meeting; interested candidates will be sought in the interim.
The district is currently considering a potential plan to close at least one of its three schools due to a 44% decline in enrollment since 2004. Financial strain persists after voters rejected the initial 2026-27 budget, forcing a revote that passed only after $300,000 in additional cuts were made to programs and services.
Superintendent Brian Timm told the board that the Building Utilization Advisory Committee hopes to deliver its final report on these issues by the Aug. 4 meeting. The committee has been evaluating the educational and community impacts of consolidating the district’s schools. “There will still have to be a public hearing,” Timm said, adding that ideally the board will be able to vote on the committee’s proposal before school starts. “This document is a recommendation, not a required document that you have to follow.”
Copley-Eisenberg’s resignation announcement topped a busy agenda, which began with the board’s annual organizational meeting. Griffin and Amie Buehler, who were elected on May 19, took their oaths for terms that will run through June 30, 2029. The board reelected Fredericks as president and chose Couse as vice president.
Timm reviewed the progress on the district’s $12.9 million capital improvement project, and reported that phase one was well underway. He said the high school roof replacement is 90% completed: “We hope it will be finished by Aug. 1.”
The tennis courts and track have been demolished to prepare for paving, and the asphalt will be quality-tested before use. “The track is changing colors,” Timm said. “It’s going to be blue instead of black.”
A new scoreboard and tennis court fencing will be put in place next week, while outdoor lighting installations should wrap up by mid-August. Concurrently, asbestos abatement and floor tile replacement are in progress at Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center.
“We are ahead of schedule, and I hope it stays that way,” Timm said. The second phase of the capital project is scheduled for next summer and will include a courtyard renovation alongside a new concession stand with public restrooms.
In other business, the school board declined Hudson Company’s 15-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) proposal. The developer’s plan sought steep tax breaks and delayed full payment until year 16, and has also petitioned the Town of Pine Plains. Board members cited community financial concerns for the rejection, though they noted they remain open to future talks.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the high school library.
So glad the residents voted for this!