Superintendent Message

As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District proudly celebrates the incredible accomplishments of our students and programs.

First and foremost, congratulations to our graduating seniors! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have brought you to this important milestone. We are proud of all you have achieved during your time as Bobcats and are excited to see the paths you will forge in the future. Wherever life takes you next, know that you will always be a valued part of the Bobcat community.

We would also like to recognize our spring sports teams for their outstanding seasons. A very special congratulations goes out to both our boys’ and girls’ varsity track teams for earning the title of Section IV Class D Champions! Your commitment, teamwork, and determination have made the entire Bainbridge-Guilford community proud.

Back again this summer at B-G will be our elementary summer enrichment programs held at Guilford Elementary School and Greenlawn Elementary School from July 6-August 6.  If you haven’t enrolled your child and would like to, please contact the elementary school offices.

Finally, we extend our congratulations to the marching band and color guard for their fine performance on Memorial Day. Your talent and dedication brought honor to the occasion and beautifully represented the spirit of the Bobcats during such a meaningful event.

As we wrap up the year, we celebrate these achievements and look forward to many more successes ahead. Thank you to all students, staff, and families for making this a memorable and rewarding year.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer—and as always, Go Bobcats!

Happy Spring!  We have been at work since November on the 2026-2027 school budget.  I wanted to briefly outline the process that the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District goes through to develop a school budget before it is put out to voters.

So how does the school budget get built?
A good annual budget begins with sound estimates and well-supported budgetary assumptions. Spending levels and financial resources must be gauged as accurately as possible to ensure that planned services are properly funded. To develop sound estimates, the Superintendent and the School Business Manager along with the administration and Board of Education, will gather and analyze as much data as possible.    Sources of information used in preparing the budget include the following:

• Prior and current year budgets
• Prior and current year expenditures
• Current year revenue
• Debt service requirements, contracts, and other commitments
• Current economic conditions affecting revenue generation
• Revenue projections
• State and federal aid information-this often isn’t out until end of March, early April
• Collective bargaining agreements
• Multiyear capital plans
• Rate of inflation
• Tax and debt limit information, the district’s tax levy
• Strategic plans-needs and wants for the district’s future
• Input from stakeholders including taxpayers

Spending levels and financial resources must be accurately gauged at budget preparation time to ensure that planned services are properly funded.

Budget Calendar - The budget preparation process starts with the setting forth of the budget calendar.

• Budget Assumptions/Baseline Budget - The Superintendent and School Business Manager prepare a list of "Budget Assumptions" which will guide the preparation of a preliminary "BASELINE" budget which will provide the initial estimate of the cost of maintaining all current programs, services, and personnel in the next fiscal year.
  • Budget presentations begin at each BOE meeting in January and continue through April.
• Budget Worksheets - The School Business Manager and Superintendent meet with administrators and staff to determine wants and needs for the new budget. The administration will also look for cost savings in the current budget that could be implemented the following year.
• Administrators submit their estimates and discuss their requests with the Business Manager and the Superintendent of Schools.
  • The district finance committee meets multiple times to review budget proposals and discuss any cost-saving measures or possible cuts.
• Tentative Budget prepared - The Superintendent and the School Business Manager use the information they have gathered from the staff.  This involves assessing whether the total building and program estimates of appropriations are greater than the estimated financial resources and then developing a budget proposal that provides necessary appropriations within the limits of those resources and meets the Superintendent's goals and objectives.
• Superintendent's Recommended Budget completed -The Superintendent presents the tentative/proposed budget (Superintendent's Recommended Budget) to the Board of Education.   Alterations and revisions may be necessary after the BOE submits their recommendations.
  • The Superintendent submits a final, polished copy to the Board of Education for approval.   
  • The Board of Education votes to adopt the proposed budget before presenting the school budget to the public for vote in May.  A successfully approved school budget is implemented July 1st of that year.

The Superintendent, School Business Manager, Board of Education, and administration, invest a significant amount of time and effort into preparing the annual budget. It is often a very busy and stressful time.  However, it is not meant to be a solo effort, or a budget created by one or two people.   The district welcomes community input with this process.

In the coming weeks and months please look for more information on the school budget.  I will also be discussing the budget with the B-G staff, in the local newspapers and at the budget hearing on May 13th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Jr-Sr HS conference room. The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District is YOUR district and I welcome your involvement in this process.  

Enjoy the coming of spring and please feel free to email me at tryan@bgcsd.org or call the district office at 607-967-6321.

Sincerely yours,
Timothy R. Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

Across New York State, schools are working toward a shared goal: preparing students not just to pass tests, but to thrive in college, careers, and life. The New York State Portrait of a Graduate is a framework that describes the skills, knowledge, and mindsets students should develop by the time they graduate high school.

Think of it as a whole-child vision for learning—one that values academic success and real-world readiness.

What does the Portrait include?

The Portrait of a Graduate highlights several key competencies that students build over time:

• Academic Knowledge & Skills
   Strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
   The ability to analyze information, ask questions, and find solutions to real-world problems.
• Communication & Collaboration
   Expressing ideas clearly, listening to others, and working effectively as part of a team.
• Civic Readiness & Cultural Awareness
   Understanding diverse perspectives, engaging respectfully with others, and being prepared to participate in civic life.
• Social-Emotional Skills
   Self-management, resilience, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
• Career & College Readiness
   Exploring interests, setting goals, and developing skills that connect learning to future pathways.

Why is New York State using this framework?

The world our children are entering is changing quickly. Employers, colleges, and communities are looking for graduates who can adapt, collaborate, and think creatively—not just memorize information. The Portrait of a Graduate helps schools align instruction, assessments, and learning experiences so students are better prepared for life beyond high school.

What does this mean for families?

You may see:

• More project-based learning and real-world applications
• Opportunities for students to demonstrate learning in different ways
• A focus on skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving alongside academics

Most importantly, this framework supports students in becoming confident, capable, and well-rounded learners.

B-G has been working towards implementing the necessary structures for the creation of the Portrait of a Graduate framework for a few years.  While the learning curve for all is great, and we still don’t have all the information and guidance necessary from New York State, we are in great shape to continue supporting our students on this educational journey.

If you have questions about how the Portrait of a Graduate is reflected in your child’s classroom or school programs, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers or school administrators. Together, we can support every student’s path to success.

Sincerely,
Timothy R. Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

As we move into the heart of the school year, it has been wonderful to see our students fully settled into their routines. Classrooms are lively with discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Whether it’s watching students dive deeper into academic projects or seeing them build new friendships, the positive energy throughout the building is unmistakable. We’re proud of the strong start our students have made and look forward to all they will continue to accomplish.

With November behind us, our fall sports season has officially wrapped up. We want to congratulate all of our student athletes and coaches for their dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. From thrilling finishes to steady improvement throughout the season, our fall teams demonstrated outstanding school spirit and commitment.  Congratulations to our girls’ varsity soccer team on winning the MAC league championship and making it to the Section IV semi-finals.  
As soon as one season ends, another begins—our winter sports teams have already taken to the courts, mats, bowling alley and track. We’re excited to see what they will achieve in the months ahead and encourage our community to come out and show their support.

We are also thrilled to share an exciting new academic opportunity for our students. This year, we are launching a micro-credentialing program in partnership with SUNY Morrisville. Through this innovative program, students will have the chance to earn targeted credentials in specialized skill areas, helping them explore career pathways and gain valuable experience for college, technical training, or the workforce. This program will provide an opening for our graduating students directly into local Chenango County companies. We look forward to watching our students take advantage of this unique opportunity and will provide additional details as the program expands.

As we approach the holidays, we are reminded of the importance of community, gratitude, and celebration. The holiday season is upon us, and we wish all our families joy, peace, and meaningful time together. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.  This year our students and staff are packing over 80 boxes of food and supplies for our local families.  When we all work together, great things happen!

Sincerely,
Timothy Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

Welcome Back to School!

We are thrilled to welcome all our students, staff, and families back for another exciting school year! The 2025–2026 academic year is off to a fantastic start, filled with fresh faces, familiar smiles, and a renewed sense of energy throughout the halls.

A special welcome to our new students and families—whether you're entering pre-kindergarten, high school, or joining us from another district, we are so glad you're here. Together, we’re ready to learn, grow, and make this year our best one yet!

B-G High School is tops!

​​​​​​​Bainbridge-Guilford High School is recognized as top in Chenango County and 2^nd in the region!  This is a huge honor for our students and staff.   So much goes into providing a quality education for our students from prek-12^th grade.  We couldn’t attain this recognition without an outstanding, child-centered staff and amazing community!

Capital Project Nearing Completion

Over the summer, crews worked tirelessly on the final phases of our capital project—and we are happy to report that it's wrapping up beautifully!  

Our new athletic stadium is ready for use, and we played our first home football game on the turf on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Students are now enjoying the benefits of:

• Newly renovated athletic stadium
• A brand-new Jr-Sr HS library and collaborative learning space
• Upgraded HVAC systems and security improvements
• New kitchen at Guilford Elementary
• New parking lots and lockers for our students

Thank you to our Board of Education and our community for your continued support and patience during this transformative project.  The smile on our students’ faces makes these projects all worthwhile.

Fall Sports Teams Off to a Winning Start

The fall athletic season is well underway, and our teams are showing incredible determination, sportsmanship, and school spirit!

• Girls’ Varsity Soccer is undefeated
• This fall we welcomed field hockey at B-G as part of a combined program with Afton and Harpursville
• Boys’ varsity soccer is now combined with Afton and Harpursville
• Football is showing grit and teamwork, with packed stands and high energy every Friday night.

We are so proud of all our student-athletes, coaches, and fans who represent our school with pride. Keep up the great work—Go Bobcats!

And finally, the NYS internet connected device ban is going well at B-G.  Our students are adapting to this new regulation and once again chatting at lunch, playing board games, and filling the halls with their voices.   Parents, thank you for your support with this new initiative.

Sincerely,
Timothy R. Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

His account is @BGsuperint. Follow his TWEETS as he travels the district visiting classrooms and events!