Dear North Colonie Parents, Guardians and Families,
Seventy-five years ago, Edgar Pitkin, the founding superintendent of our school district, and the leaders of this district had a bold and aspirational vision: to unite a growing community through strong public education. They believed deeply in the power of schools to bring people together — to nurture young minds, strengthen civic life, and invest in a brighter future for all. That vision remains alive today, as vibrant and vital as ever, as we prepare to embark on a new school year.
From that founding moment, our story began — a story of growth, resilience, and shared purpose. From a graduating class of just 75 students to one that now celebrates over 500 young people each year, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Our schools have evolved — not just in number and size, but in spirit. We have grown into a district that nurtures curiosity, champions each child, and inspires excellence across generations.
As we mark our 75th anniversary as a district, I am deeply honored to serve as Superintendent at this moment in time. I celebrate the enduring vision of those who came before — educators, students, families, and community members who believed, as I do, that public schools are not merely institutions, but living expressions of a community’s highest hopes. In my nearly 40 years here in North Colonie, I have seen that vision carry us through the evolution of public education, unwavering.
That vision has guided us for 75 years — and it continues to guide us still. In our classrooms and on our playing fields, through music, art and innovative technology, in every lesson and every act of care, we strive to fulfill that promise each day. Our hallways echo with learning, laughter, and the quiet work of building futures.
This celebration is more than a milestone — it is a tribute to the generations who have believed in this work and a call to all of us to carry that legacy forward. Let us continue to educate with passion and purpose. Let us believe, as those before us did, that public education can unite a community and light the way to a better tomorrow.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey. It is a milestone worth celebrating, and we will find many ways to do so throughout the school year. May the next 75 years shine as brightly as the foundation laid by those who first dared to dream.
I wish you a wonderful start to the school year and I look forward to seeing everything we will achieve together.
With gratitude and pride,
Kathleen Skeals
North Colonie Superintendent