LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 17 • Issue 43 • October 27 – November 2, 2023 • saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • 518- 581-2480
Sectional Champs; From Carnegie Hall to B-Spa Boys Golf Captures Section 2 Title Wesley Community
Members of the Ballston Spa varsity boys golf team pictured at the Section 2 Class A Boys’ Golf Championships on Oct. 12. Photo provided. See Story pg. 30
Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect perform at Woodlawn Commons for the Wesley Community on Oct. 25, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos. See Story pg. 9
School Abuse Claims; Athletes, Parents Defend Coaches
E lection P rimer
by Dylan McGlynn Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education has approved the appointment of law firm Harris Beach, PLLC to investigate allegations made in a letter by Safe Athletes For Everyone, which contained statements from former studentathletes and parents claiming “a toxic culture of alleged abusive coaching,” within several of the district’s athletic programs. The letter was sent on Oct. 2 by attorney Martin Greenberg, representing Safe Athletes for Everyone, to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General
Letitia James, Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, and NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas. Many allegations in the SAFE letter were made anonymously. It also included a statement from 1989 graduate Kristen (Gecewicz) Gunning, who referred to the running program as “a toxic culture of control and abuse of middle and high school girls all in the name of winning.” Other statements were included from Ann Marie Pendergast, parent of a former girls varsity soccer player. Pendergast had described the team’s culture as “demoralizing and unhealthy.” See Story pg. 16
SARATOGA COUNTY Five Contested Supervisor Races; Early Voting Begins Oct. 28
WHO WHERE WHEN WHAT TO KNOW See Details pg. 8