By LINDA KELLETT

C-S-E News Staff

FORT PLAIN — In an effort to keep two community-oriented programs in place this year, Fort Plain District Superintendent Douglas Burton is reaching out to a new partner.

He told members of the Fort Plain Board of Education meeting in the Harry Hoag conference room Tuesday that he’s approached representatives of Blue Shield, the district’s new health insurance provider, about potentially providing financial support for the popular Fort Plain Pacers walking program.

The program, which featured monthly presentations on stretching, low-impact-resistance work, proper attire and the like, formerly received support from the State University of New York Research Center, MVP Healthcare, and private, local donations. It was suspended last year because there was no funding.

“Last year we did not receive any donations,” Burton said, noting the district has never provided taxpayer money for the program.

He also made an appeal for funding support for the fitness center, which last year relied on volunteers and one instructor, paid at a rate of $14 an hour, to provide services for local residents.

He said the center was open to the community five days a week from mid-November until the end of March. Among those in attendance were five regulars and about 32 other people, Burton said.

Memberships cost $20 per month. Additionally, some equipment and cash donations totaling about $2,000 were received from Wal-Mart, he said.

All told, the fitness center budget reflected a slight loss in one area and a corresponding balance on the equipment and supplies side.

“Obviously, this is something that’s a service to the community, and I think it’s good for the people that do utilize it. It’s nice that we have people that want to volunteer, but I don’t know that we can totally rely on volunteers,” Burton said.

Consequently, he approached representatives of the new insurance company on Monday to see if they’d be willing to help with both programs.

Specifically, he made an appeal to them based on their campaign to “increase the health and wellness of communities and members within their group and subscribers. My pitch to them was, ‘I’ve seen your ads. You talk about helping people. If they are willing to join a gym, you will help subsidize, offset their costs. What would you be willing to do to help a group like ours?’”

Burton is hopeful the company will provide support as their representatives took information about the pacers’ program and the fitness center budget with them, he said.

He projected the district will receive a response prior to the next board meeting.

Other business conducted during Tuesday night’s meeting included the following:

• In accordance with board goals approved during the last board meeting, Burton noted school officials have extended invitations to surrounding districts to engage in shared service and merger talks. Because St. Johnsville is still engaged in negotiations with Oppenheim-Ephratah, however, that district is not currently available for merger discussions with Fort Plain, Burton said. Additionally, Owen D. Young officials have indicated they would like to maintain their school. He said there may be interest on the part of Canajoharie officials, however.

“First, we’re trying to share everything we can share,” he added, noting there are no definitive merger plans with anyone.

• The district received a one-time $15,000 grant from state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, for use in the current school year. Among potential purchases under consideration include a couple of new automated external defibrillators for use on athletic fields.

• During building principals’ reports, Harry Hoag Principal Catherine Bruckner noted that math teacher Donna Yerdon was one of 300 educators from over 1,300 applicants selected to participate in the national NBA Math Hoops Program.

Additionally, Deborah Larrabee congratulated Coach Craig Phillips, who was recently named to the Capital District Baseball Hall of Fame. He is slated to be honored at the Hilton Hotel in Troy on Oct. 28.

• Burton noted that the “student moving report” is a moving target, with enrollment figures changing on a daily basis as students move into the district from St. Johnsville and other areas within the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery and adjacent BOCES districts. Currently, there are about three dozen more students enrolled in Fort Plain schools than there were at the end of the 2011-’12 school year, it was noted.

Burton said the date that enrollment figures really count the most is Oct. 3, when the state establishes state-aid formulas based on total enrollment.

Finally, the Harry Hoag School open house will be held on Sept. 27.