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& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch INSIDE: The Allotsego 2025 otsego county yearbook
VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, December 25, 2025
Volume 18, No. 9
Newsstand Price $1
Cooperstown Grades 3-8 Test Scores Rising By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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COOPERSTOWN ooperstown third- through eighth-graders’ standardized test scores are trending upwards, officials shared at the December 17 Cooperstown Central School District school board meeting. “It goes to the crux of what happens every single day in our buildings,” Superintendent Sarah Spross said as she introduced a presentation by Elementary School Principal Amy Malcuria and Junior/Senior High School Principal Laurie LaMondie. “And that is the instruction provided by our faculty and staff, the support and guidance provided by our leadership team, and the incredibly
hard work of our students.” The data comes from annual state standardized testing for math and English language arts, which parents may refuse to have their child complete. In Cooperstown, the principals’ presentation said, most students took the test. The data showed that in the 2024-2025 school year “proficiency” in both ELA and math increased. The proficiency standard, considered a level three or higher on the test, requires students to at least demonstrate “a solid understanding of the grade-level standards.” For third- through eighth-graders, 77 percent of ELA test takers were deemed proficient compared to 62 percent the year prior. In math, it was 67 percent to the Continued on page 7
Congress Passes Bipartisan Bill for Whole Milk in Schools By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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WASHINGTON, D.C. he House of Representatives passed the “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” on December 15, which would allow schools to again offer whole, 2% and flavored milks in schools. The bill received bipartisan support, and is anticipated to be signed by President Donald Trump. “We are incredibly excited to see the passage of this legislation, which has been a top policy priority for the New York Farm Bureau,” said Ashley Sardo, the group’s manager of national affairs. “This act will allow greater market opportunities for New York dairy farmers, while also providing essential nutrients to children in school meals.” The legislation reverses a 2010 law which went into effect in 2012 that limited schools that participated in United States Department of Agriculture lunch and breakfast programs to offering INSIDE ► bassett honors RN Cadence johnson, page 2 ► land trust welcomes new executive director, page 2
skim and 1% fat milk. “At long last, whole milk will return to school lunches! Milk is one of the best and healthiest options to give students the nutrition they need to learn and grow, and it has been restricted in our schools, hurting Upstate dairy farmers, for far too long,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D). “That’s why I was proud to stand with Upstate New York dairy farmers to call on the House to get the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed once and for all. This critical bill now will soon become law and help bring whole milk to children across America. I have long fought to boost New York’s dairy industry and will continue fighting to ensure our farmers’ products are widely available.” Local members of Congress also supported the measure. “In Upstate New York, our dairy farmers are the backbone of our economy,” said Rep. Josh Riley (D, NYContinued on page 3
Photo by Tara Barnwell
Making Christmas Bright
COOPERSTOWN—Salvation Army Angel Tree Coordinator Kyanne Clark (left) visited the offices of AllOtsego, “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” on Monday, December 15 to take delivery of donations for this year’s Angel Tree Program recipients from Santa’s elf Larissa Ryan. Many thanks to all who made the holidays a little less stressful this year for those in need of a helping hand!
Milford Woman Likely To Be Youngest Judge in State By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
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MILFORD pon taking office in January as Milford ► coop voters approve town justice at 24 years capital project, page 3 old, Briana Partridge will likely be the youngest judge in New ► a tale of christmas York State. past, page 4 “I want to make sure every► SEMPA: THE ‘RIGHT’ VIEW, body that comes through page 4 feels heard,” Partridge told AllOtsego. ► MORE MUSIC MAKING Partridge is originally from PLEASE, page 5 North Carolina and is married to ► THINGS TO DO, page 8 Austin Partridge, 30, who also won his own campaign to be Milford’s town supervisor. Both ran as Republicans. Aside from 1 98715 21709 4 being one of two town justices,
Photo provided
BRIANA PARTRIDGE
Briana said, she will continue her job as a stay-at-home mom. Partridge said she sees her age as both a responsibility and an asset. “I want to come prepared and educated,” she said. “For that same reason, a younger perspective in this field is a valuable asset in a world that’s always changing.” Partridge added that she hopes more young people will run for office. She said her husband and other community members had suggested she run, and that her interest in the position arose from herself being a victim of fraud. “And when this opportunity
came up, I just said to myself: That’s something that I care about a lot, and I want to deliver that to other people, deliver justice for them,” she said. Town and village justices, spread across nearly 1,200 jurisdictions in New York State, are responsible for many local matters. Much of their caseload includes traffic violations, small claims, evictions and criminal offenses. Anyone 18 years old or older may run for the job, and there is no requirement for a law degree. The New York State Unified Court System did not respond to requests to confirm Partridge will be the youngest judge in the Continued on page 3
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
STD PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890