Senate Resolution No. 787
BY: Senator TEDISCO
COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the
Shenendehowa Central School District to be
celebrated on May 17, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of commitment and high achievement whose
purpose and endeavor have been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in
the education of the youth of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Shenendehowa Central School
District to be celebrated on Saturday, May 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The Shenendehowa Central School District was organized on
January 14, 1950, by a vote of the residents of 21 former common school
districts and one union-free school district; and
WHEREAS, These 22 schools, educating children in the towns of
Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Malta, Waterford, Ballston, and Stillwater,
representing approximately 86 square miles, became officially
centralized on July 1, 1950; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, the School District voted to purchase 160 acres to
build an 1,800-pupil school for kindergarten through grade 12; this land
was part of the Shenendahowe or Clifton Park Patent of 1708; and
WHEREAS, The Iroquois word "Shenendahowe" means Great Plains, and
that is how the district became known as Shenendehowa Central Schools;
and
WHEREAS, The first meeting of the Trustees of Central School
District No. 2, Clifton Park was held at the schoolhouse in Clifton
Park; the Trustees were Alice Goddard, Alfred Stiles, Carl Easton, Neil
Hesson, Jr., Phillip Morse, C.W. Cyphers, and Ralf Beck; Neil Hesson,
Jr., was selected by the Board as the first Board President; and
WHEREAS, Shenendehowa's athletic teams are called the Plainsmen, and
their mascot is the stallion; they participate in 34 varsity sports
through all seasons and currently boast alumni playing in both Major
League Baseball and the National Basketball Association; and
WHEREAS, With an enrollment of more than 9,500 students,
Shenendehowa is the largest School District in Saratoga County and the
largest student population in the Suburban Council, an interscholastic
athletic consortium of 11 area schools within the region; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its current School
Superintendent, Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, the Shenendehowa Central School
District's commitment to excellence for all students is unapologetic and
unwavering; and
WHEREAS, As an impactful way of honoring the legacy of the
Shenendehowa Central School District and all that is to come, a grand
celebration of its 75th Anniversary of educational excellence will take
place on Saturday, May 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The Shenendehowa Central School District has remained
steadfast in its mission to work continuously and in partnership with
the community to ensure that all students develop and demonstrate the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and character needed to live useful,
productive, and rewarding lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Shenendehowa Central School
District, noting the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its
commitment, and the significance of its accomplishments in preparing the
youth of today and leaders of tomorrow; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to School Superintendent, Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, and the
Members of the Shenendehowa Central School District Board of Education.
