What to Know Before Marathon's July 8 Board of Education Meeting
Marathon Central School District's Board of Education will hold its annual Reorganizational Meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the HS Library at Marathon Junior-Senior High School.
Sarena Eaton · 2026-07-07
Marathon Central School District's Board of Education will hold its annual Reorganizational Meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the HS Library at Marathon Junior-Senior High School. This meeting kicks off the 2026-2027 school year with new board members, a full slate of appointments, and updates parents will want to know about heading into the fall.
New Board Members Take Their Oath
Because this is a reorganizational meeting, the evening opens with oaths of office rather than routine business. Two new and one returning member, Kristin Kashuba, Jared Lapin, and Richard Stearns, will be sworn in by District Clerk Kacie Penrose. The board will then nominate and elect a new President and Vice President, who will also take their oath of office. Furthermore, A student board member will be approved and sworn in as well, continuing the district's practice of including a student voice on the board.
30 Minutes for Public Input
As always, the agenda sets aside 30 minutes for public comment, limited to five minutes per person or group. This is the community's chance to raise questions or concerns directly with the board.
Presentations Parents Will Want to Hear
Three presentations are scheduled:
Portrait of a Graduate — An overview of New York State's new statewide framework, adopted by the Board of Regents in 2025, which aims to define the skills every NY graduate should have beyond just test scores. The presentation covers six core attributes the state wants to see in graduates: being academically prepared, a critical thinker, a creative innovator, an effective communicator, a global citizen, and reflective/future-focused. The presentation notes that nothing is changing immediately. Regents diplomas and current graduation requirements remain in place, and the state's rollout won't fully align with 9th graders until the 2029-2030 school year. Marathon is currently in the "design/brainstorming phase."
Appleby STEM Update
Construction Update — likely to touch on the district's ongoing Phase II cafeteria renovation project.
Staffing News
Several personnel items are up for board approval, including:
Madeline Tran as Music Teacher, effective July 1, 2026
Samantha Roberts as Food Service Helper, effective July 1, 2026
Tenure-track appointments for Ashley Wirges (7-12 Health Teacher), Megan Tracy (High School Principal), and Dr. Danielle Fenner (Director of Special Education)
An administrative internship for Carrie-Ann Mack
Fall coaching appointments are also on the agenda, including head coaches for varsity and modified cross country, field hockey, and boys/girls soccer. There are no notable changes in the positions
A Generous Donation
Jason Kenyon and the Cornell College of Business are donating four projectors to Marathon High School to support classroom technology.
Looking Ahead: Meeting Dates and Planning
The board will approve its full 2026-2027 meeting schedule, giving families a chance to plan. Regular board meetings are set for the first Wednesday of most months at 7:00 PM in the HS Library, with a few notable dates:
February 3, 2027 — Public Budget Forum at 6:00 PM, followed by the regular board meeting
April 19, 2027 — Board adopts the 2027-2028 budget (7:30 AM)
May 10, 2027 — Annual Budget Hearing at 6:00 PM, followed by "Meet the BOE Candidates"
May 18, 2027 — Annual Budget Vote
June 27, 2027 — Graduation
Two Board of Education workshops are also planned later this month (July 27 and 28) focused on board roles/responsibilities and legal training.
Behind-the-Scenes Business
A large portion of the agenda is routine but important annual housekeeping: reappointing district officers (clerk, treasurer, tax collector, school attorney, etc.), approving the district's professional development plan for 2026-2029, renewing agreements with OCM BOCES, and updating the district's payment schedule for coaching stipends, substitute pay, and mileage reimbursement for the new school year.
The board will also review — though not vote on — several informational items, including the May 2026 Treasurer's Report, a flood insurance quote, and cybersecurity coverage options, all part of ongoing financial oversight.
Why It Matters
Reorganizational meetings set the tone for the year — new leadership, committee assignments, and key policies are all established here. For parents and community members, this meeting offers an early look at the district's priorities for 2026-2027, from the state's evolving graduation framework to who's leading classrooms and coaching fall sports.
Community members with questions can attend in person and use the public comment period to speak directly with board members. NNToday will also be providing a livestream for community members to watch remotely.