Erin McNamara, who is passionate about teaching English, is now the president of GCSD most powerful union; she wants to focus on what happens in the classroom despite budget cuts and increased mandates.

GUILDERLAND — Under a new construction manager, the $17.3 million project to upgrade Guilderland’s seven school buildings, passed by voters a year ago, is proceeding on schedule, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Neil Sanders.

GUILDERLAND — Just before 7 a.m. last Thursday morning, a woman drove her sport utility vehicle along Route 20 from the intersection with Schoolhouse Road to 1769 Western Ave. with a man on its hood.

Robert Motschmann wasn't born a self-sufficient Hilltowner; the Long Island native became one. He uses trees from his 84 acres of woods to heat his home.

Ann-Marie McManus, who describes herself as "an educator through and through," left behind the classroom she loved to become an assistant principal at Guilderland High School.

GUILDERLAND — A Guilderland man was arrested Friday on six counts of promoting a sexual performance of a child, a felony, and more charges may follow.

ALBANY — Brenda McClaine agreed to a plea deal Tuesday for one count of third-degree grand larceny, a felony, that will put her in jail for six months and on probation for five years. She is to be sentenced on Oct. 28.

Had McClaine gone to trial instead, she could have served a maximum of two-and-a-third to seven years.

Americans are increasingly opposed to Common Core standards although much of the oppositon appears related to other reforms, such as accountability for teachers, fostering more testing.

Guilderland teachers havae agreed to be evaluated through state tests so students will have to face fewers exams. Also this year, a $400,000 state "Teaching is the Core" grant will promote in-class coaching.

Guilderland has made strides in improvingg scores for students with disabilties and in closing the gap between students that come from poor homes and those that don't.