WURTSBORO — The Town Board of Mamakating saw the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Pine Bush Central School District give a presentation.

Superintendent Brian Dunn announced that the school is getting ready for their May 21 Budget vote and School Board Member vote.

“We want to strongly encourage everyone who is an eligible voter, please take part in the process,” said Superintendent Dunn.

Also present was Joe Lenz, the Assistant Superintendent for Business. Dunn said that he was going to speak for the program while Lenz was would speak about the numbers.

Dunn emphasized that he wanted to thank everybody for supporting Pine Bush Schools. He said that “your tax dollars are hard at work” and that he wanted to highlight some “really great” assets for young people today.

He said that the graduation rate went up to 95 percent.

He said this means 95 percent of kids that start their freshman year we will get them across the stage with a diploma and ready for the workplace and college.

“That’s your taxpayers making a difference in the future of our young people,” stated Dunn.

Dunn said that “the kids are wild about the new turf fields” because with all the recent rainfall, they’re out there playing all different sorts of sports. 

“Our sports numbers are through the roof.”

He stated that the school doesn’t even have enough uniforms for all the kids. He followed this up by stating that it was a “good problem to have” after the Covid pandemic and everyone staying at home. He stated that the kids are involved in extracurriculars, sports programs and clubs.

He also noted that they’re getting their great exercise and teamwork all the while.

It was also added that the school has 58 athletic teams.

“When you come to Pine Bush Schools, you have choice of what interests you,” said Dunn. “We’ve got three National Junior Honor Societies.”

He also added that there is a police officer in every one of their seven schools.

He stressed that he knows how important safety and security is to the taxpayers, parents and students.

Dunn also highlighted the Arts of Pine Bush Schools. He noted that the Art Night event the previous week was “amazing.” He described the art presented as “museum-quality art.”

It was also added that Pine Bush reportedly has 1,327 students participating in high quality art programs.

In terms of Scholar-Athlete teams, there are 22 of them in Pine Bush Schools.

“We’ve got 11 pre-k classes,” added Dunn.“It’s by a lottery, we don’t leave a lot of people on a table so most people with pre k-age toddlers can come and start school a year early to get them ahead, that’s an amazing asset.”

In terms of the food services offered, Dunn said they have lunch services and breakfast which he described as amazing.

He also added that two of Pine Bush’s Odyssey of the Mind teams made it to Nationals. They will be taking the plane or bus to Iowa for the World Championships.

He said that enrollment is dropping. He stated that the school is down to 4,738 students. However, he said that every one of those kids is getting a high-quality education.

“I just want you guys to know, I work for you. A lot of great things are happening,” said Dunn. “It’s really important to me if you have a question about anything, reach out. We can have a cup of coffee, we can talk about it. We work for you, we want to be available for you, a resource for you.”