Farewells and Hellos at the Saratoga Springs City School Board
As two step down, two others step up
The last school board meeting of the academic year came to a close with trustees thanking two long-term trustees for their service, and two others stepping up to fill leadership roles.
Dr. John Brueggemann and Dean A. Kolligian Jr. both had served two terms, or six years, on the board. Both are stepping down.
“We got elected together in 2019 and it's been, it's really an honor to serve with you both for the last six years, and I'm happy that you'll have a lot more free time, and I hope that you use it well,” said Trustee Natalya Lakhtakia.
Around the dais people spoke with of both Brueggemann and Kolligian.
“It really makes me feel good that when…I realize I'm serving with people who are serving and and put themselves forward for the right reasons. And I feel like you two, both, you know, exemplify that, and have exemplified that throughout your service,” said board chair Vice President Tony Krackeler.
Both Kolligian Jr. and Bruggemann thanked the board for their time together.
Bruggemann said he would miss the people who work hard for the students and also the back-and-forth over important policy decisions that were debated civilly, “because we haven't always agreed on anything, everything, but we remain friends and colleagues.”
“I’m going to miss celebrating student achievements, the academics, the arts, the athletics, modified sports, BOCES, anytime kids tap into their potential. That is, that is a gift to be near that,” he said.
The recognition of their service came just before Natalya Lakhtakia put her name forward to be president of the board of education starting next month, and Beth Braxton, now ending her first term as a trustee, asked to fill the role of vice president.
The new board will be empaneled next month and an organization meeting will be held July 7 at 8 a.m. to establish the board and leadership.
Lakhtakia won reelection in the spring. Braxton was elected in the spring of 2024. Joining the board will be Ashley Fogarty and Leigh Wilton. They were elected in the spring.
Anjeanette Emeka is the current president of the board. She was elected to the board in 2017 and will remain on the board next year. Also on the board next year: Dr. Deborah Amory, Matthew Kopans, Tony Krackeler, Dr. Connie Woytowich
Board members are elected at staggered intervals and serve three-year terms.
After the meeting drew to a close, Bruggemann collected the name plates to help clean up the table. He said he does it after every meeting and was doing his duty “one last time.”