Category: District News

This week, Fort Plain CSD welcomed our newest faculty members for New Faculty Orientation.

The day included an introduction to the district with Superintendent Amy Bartholomew, time with our District Office team, a welcome from the Fort Plain Teachers Association, technology onboarding and time to begin preparing classrooms for the year ahead.

Participants shared that their favorite part of the day was the bus tour of Fort Plain and the opportunity to see and learn more about the community they will now be serving.

We are excited to welcome these new members to the Fort Plain family and look forward to all they will bring to our students and schools!

The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education and Superintendent Amy Bartholomew are pleased to announce the appointment of Skyler Douglas as the principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School.

Douglas was appointed at a special board meeting on Aug. 5 and will begin as the elementary school principal on Sept. 1.

Please join us in congratulating Skyler Douglas as she begins this important new chapter of service to the Harry Hoag students, families and Fort Plain district.

About Principal Skyler Douglas

Skyler Douglas has spent the majority of her career in elementary education, most recently serving as the Pre-K – 6 Assistant Principal and CPSE/CSE Chairperson at Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District.

Throughout her career, Douglas has worked closely with students, staff and families to support student success, strengthen instructional practices and foster positive school communities.

Prior to becoming an administrator, Douglas also taught at the elementary level, where she developed a passion for supporting the academic, social and emotional growth of students, while creating positive classroom experiences.

“I am honored to join the Fort Plain family. Growing up in St. Johnsville, I’ve seen firsthand how special our small towns are and the importance of a strong school. I look forward to the opportunity to get to know the students, families, staff and community that make Fort Plain such a special place,” said Douglas.

“I am looking forward to building relationships from day one,” Douglas continued. “To me, the best schools are ones where students, families and staff feel supported, challenged and encouraged to grow. My hope is that every child leaves Harry Hoag not only prepared for what’s next academically, but also as confident, kind young people.”

Leading Harry Hoag into its next chapter

“There are very few decisions I will make as superintendent that are more important than selecting the person who will lead the school that means so much to me,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “Because of that, I wanted to find someone who I truly believed was the right fit for our students, our staff and our community.”

“One of the qualities that stood out most to me during the interview process was Skyler’s desire to lead as a servant leader,” Bartholomew continued. “She spoke about the importance of ensuring that faculty and staff feel supported so they can do what they do best each day for our students. She also shared her commitment to being visible, building strong relationships with students, staff and families and becoming an active part of the Fort Plain community.”

“I truly believe Skyler is the right person to lead Harry Hoag into its next chapter and to build on the many strengths of our school and community.”

New York State Education Law requires school districts, charter schools and BOCES to publish an annual report about enforcement of their internet-enabled device policies.

The district’s annual enforcement report includes non-identifying information about disciplinary action related to the policy, a review of whether the policy was enforced differently across student groups and, if needed, a plan to address any significant differences in enforcement.

Read the district’s 2025-26 Internet-Enabled Devices Policy Annual Enforcement Report.

View District Policy 7316 – Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day.

Additional references

Education Law §2803

New York State Phone-Free Schools Law

Internet-Enabled Devices Policy Enforcement Annual Report

During the 2025-2026 school year, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School focused on teaching students the safe, responsible and appropriate use of personal internet-enabled devices while fostering a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions. Expectations regarding the Internet-Enabled Device Policy were communicated to students and families through the District’s Code of Conduct, opening-of-school communications, and ongoing reinforcement by faculty and staff throughout the school year.

Rather than relying solely on punitive measures, the school adopted a restorative approach that emphasized education, reflection, and accountability. Students who violated the Internet-Enabled Device Policy participated in a Device Intervention Lab (DIL), an educational intervention designed to help students reflect on their choices, understand the impact of electronic device use on their learning and the school community, review expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct, discuss responsible digital citizenship, and develop strategies for making more responsible decisions moving forward.

The majority of electronic device violations were addressed successfully through this restorative process. However, when a student’s response to staff intervention included additional misconduct, such as insubordination, refusal to comply with reasonable staff directives, or other violations of the Code of Conduct, those behaviors were addressed separately through the district’s progressive discipline procedures. This approach ensured that students were held accountable for their behavior while continuing to receive restorative supports and opportunities to develop responsible digital habits.

Enforcement data: Device Intervention Labs (DILs)

The following is an accounting of the number DILs per month during the 2025-26 school year:

• September 2025 – 8
• October 2025 – 3
• November 2025 – 3
• December 2025 – 3
• January 2026 – 10
• February 2026 – 6
• March 2026 – 8
• April 2026 – 6
• May 2026 – 0
• June 2026 – 1

2025-26 DIL Total – 48

Additionally, three students were placed on an Individualized Electronic Device Plan due to repeated violations of the policy. These individualized plans provided additional structure, monitoring, and support to improve compliance.

Students with documented medical needs or accommodations through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan were provided appropriate access to personal electronic devices in accordance with their documented needs and applicable state and federal laws.

Implementation summary

Overall, implementation of the Internet-Enabled Device Policy was successful during the 2025-2026 school year. The vast majority of students complied with the policy by securely storing their personal internet-enabled devices in the district-provided NuKase, backpacks, or lockers throughout the instructional day. Student compliance remained consistently high, with relatively few violations requiring administrative intervention.

The implementation of the policy significantly reduced classroom interruptions related to personal electronic devices and allowed teachers to devote more instructional time to teaching and learning rather than redirecting inappropriate device use.

The administrative team also observed an overall reduction in student disciplinary incidents during the 2025-2026 school year. While multiple factors likely contributed to this trend, it is believed that limiting access to personal internet-enabled devices, coupled with consistent enforcement of the Code of Conduct and the addition of student support personnel, positively impacted both the frequency and severity of student misconduct. Areas demonstrating notable improvement included social conflict, physical altercations, and technology-related misconduct, including cyberbullying.

Additional observations during implementation included:

• Students engaged in more face-to-face interactions during lunch periods and study halls, resulting in increased socialization and peer engagement.
• Students more consistently utilized the School Nurse’s Office when they were not feeling well, rather than contacting parents directly from personal devices to request dismissal. This strengthened attendance procedures, improved communication with families, and enhanced overall student safety and wellness.
• Students also frequently utilized the Main Office telephone throughout the school day to communicate with parents and guardians when needed, ensuring that important communication continued to occur through established school procedures while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.
• Unauthorized food deliveries through third-party delivery services became infrequent, reducing unnecessary visitors to campus and improving building security.
• Although overall compliance was high, administrators believe a small number of students continued to access personal devices during the instructional day in locations where monitoring is inherently difficult, such as private restroom stalls. Staff will continue to reinforce expectations and monitor implementation to promote consistent compliance.

Conclusion

The implementation of the Internet-Enabled Device Policy during its first year was viewed as a positive step toward creating a more focused, connected and academically engaged school environment.

The policy promoted responsible digital citizenship while preserving instructional time, strengthening school safety, and encouraging more meaningful face-to-face interactions among students.

Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School will continue to review implementation data, gather feedback from students, staff, and families, and refine practices as needed to ensure the policy remains effective, equitable and supportive of student learning and well-being.

Dear Fort Plain Central School District Families and Staff,

In May 2026, the Fort Plain Central School District notified families and staff that routine lead testing identified four sink faucets with results above New York State’s action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb).

As previously shared, the affected sink faucets were taken out of service for drinking purposes or designated for handwashing only with appropriate signage. The kitchen kettle outlet at the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School was made inoperable pending plumbing replacement and follow-up testing.

Following the plumbing work, the kitchen kettle outlet was retested on June 25, 2026. The certified laboratory result was 1.3 ppb, which is below New York State’s action level of 5 ppb. The laboratory determined that the result was within acceptable limits. 

Based on the satisfactory follow-up result, the kitchen kettle outlet may be returned to service.

The district will continue to comply with New York State requirements for testing, reporting and maintaining safe drinking water in our schools.

Sincerely,

Amy Bartholomew
Superintendent of Schools

Additional Resources

• For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact the District Office at 518-993-4000, or visit the Health Services section of our school website.
• View the June 25, 2026 lead testing laboratory report.
• View the May 17, 2026 letter to the community on district lead testing and related resources.

The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education has announced the appointment of Amy Bartholomew as the district’s next superintendent.

Bartholomew, who is currently the principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School, was appointed at a special Board meeting on June 23 and will begin as the district superintendent on July 1.

The Board of Education invites the community to join in welcoming Superintendent Amy Bartholomew as she begins this important new chapter of service to the Fort Plain Central School District.

“I am truly humbled and deeply grateful to be selected to serve as the next superintendent of Fort Plain Central School District,” said Bartholomew. “Fort Plain has shaped both my personal and professional life, and I understand the responsibility that comes with leading a district that means so much to this community. I am honored by the trust the Board of Education has placed in me and fully committed to serving our students, staff, families, and community with integrity and dedication.”

Amy Bartholomew, a graduate of Fort Plain High School and a lifelong resident of our community, brings over two decades of dedicated experience in education and a strong personal understanding of the district she will now lead.

“The Board of Education believes Mrs. Bartholomew is the ideal superintendent to begin leading Fort Plain in a positive and impactful direction,” said Sara McDuffee, President of the Fort Plain Board of Education. “With over 25 years of educational experience, most of those being right here in her home district, Mrs. Bartholomew has experienced and understands both the growing needs and the incredible assets of our community.  Her dedication to our students makes her the ideal choice to guide our schools into the future.”

The decision to appoint Bartholomew as superintendent was made after deep consideration by the Board of Education.

“We have experienced tremendous change and transition over the last several years in our district leadership. There were many directions we could have gone in for our next district leader, but all roads kept leading us back to Mrs. Bartholomew,” said McDuffee. “The Board is confident that she will be the steady and consistent leader that our community desires and needs as we move forward.”

About Superintendent Amy Bartholomew

Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from Syracuse University, a Master of Science degree in reading from the University at Albany and a Certificate of Advanced Study in educational leadership from Binghamton University. She holds various professional certifications, including Elementary Education (PK-6), Special Education (Birth-12), School Building Leader (SBL), and School District Leader (SDL).

Of her 25 years in education, Bartholomew has spent 20 serving the Fort Plain Central School District at Harry Hoag Elementary School. Her career has included work with students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in both general education and special education roles. That range of experience has shaped the way she understands student needs, supports staff, and approaches leadership at both the classroom and building levels. In 2024, she was named building principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School.

“Fort Plain is not just where I work. It is where I was born and raised, where I live today, and where I have built my life,” said Bartholomew. “That makes this work deeply personal to me. As superintendent, I will lead with the same values that have guided me throughout my career and my life: a strong work ethic, honesty, thoughtful listening, and a commitment to keeping students at the center of every decision.”

In her new role, Bartholomew plans to take a thoughtful and collaborative approach to district leadership, with attention to both the daily operations of the school system and the long-term planning needed to support continued growth. She will focus on understanding needs across the district, supporting effective practices already in place, and identifying opportunities to strengthen programs, services, and systems for students. Her goal is to help Fort Plain move forward with clarity, consistency, and a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you, Dr. Karen Geelan, for your service to the district

The Board of Education  extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Karen Geelan and acknowledges her service during her tenure as the district’s Interim Superintendent. Dr. Geelan has provided consistent leadership and ensured the continuity of district operations throughout this transitional period. As her interim appointment concludes, the Board extends its thanks for her contributions and wishes her well in her future endeavors.