The transition to the end of classes at Center Street Elementary School is going as well as can be expected, officials involved with the process said Friday.
Oneonta City School District voters chose in May to end classes at the building rather than increase taxes an additional 5.15 percent. The district was dealing with a $1.4 million budget shortfall because of cuts to state aid.
The students have received their assignments to one of the other three elementary schools in the district, Principal Coleen Lewis said. An open house was held at Valleyview Elementary on Friday. Monday there will be one for students going to Riverside -- from 6 to 7 p.m. A session will be held Thursday at Greater Plans from 6 to 7 p.m.
Administrators are still working on busing routes, but that is standard for this time of year. Those are typically sent out in August. Every effort will be made to keep commutes to a minimum, she said.
Special events are planned to help students over the next two weeks. They include a Tuesday parade, field day and barbecue, and Thursday a trip to see the Binghamton Mets. The last day of classes is June 21.
Despite being a difficult time for many students, parents and teachers, "we are getting through it together," Lewis said. It is going as well as it is because teachers have been very "professional" and are being "good role models."
All of them have been assigned to other buildings. Based on seniority, she is the only one at the school who will be losing her job.
A total of 7.2 full-time equivalent positions, including principal, nurse, librarian, guidance counselor and two licensed teaching assistant positions, are being eliminated as a result of the closing, Superintendent Michael Shea said. Considering that the district started to consider the possibility earlier this year, it is getting through this difficult time, he said.
Business manager Lisa Weeks and others have met with custodial and maintenance staff to organize the move.
"We recognize things will come up and we will deal with it," Shea said. "People are working together to make it succeed for the students."
Local News
Center Street students prepare for other schools
- Local News
-
-
Ramsaran freed on $300,000 bail
Accused killer Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was freed from Chenango County Jail this afternoon after he and relatives posted $300,000 worth of real estate to meet bail conditions set by County Judge Frank Revoir Jr.
-
Area school budgets get voters' OK
With schools in the area proposing budgets at or below the state tax cap, all districts reporting by 10 p.m. said voters approved their spending plans.
-
School budget voting results
-
Tree-killing insect found near Unadilla
A tiny pest with a big appetite for ash trees has arrived in Delaware and Otsego counties, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
-
Roxbury artist's portrait exhibit is a record-breaker
ROXBURY -- Greg Frederick is an artist who has likely broken more records than anyone reading this story today. By records, we mean that relic of the musical recording industry -- vinyl long-playing albums (the ones with the small hole in the center) and 45 revs per minute single records (the ones with the considerably larger hole in the center).
-
Bruni to step down after 30 years
Children's programs, a computerized card catalog and online access to a world of information are among changes ushered in at the Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta by Marie Bruni since she became library director 30 years ago. "It's been great,'' Bruni, who plans to retire, told the Oneonta Common Council during a meeting in City Hall on Tuesday night.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
State investigation seeks missing Bassett Rx pads
The state is investigating the possible theft of blank prescription pads from Bassett Medical Center, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed Monday.
-
Classes resume after threats at schools
School was opened on schedule at two area schools where Internet threats caused lockdowns Friday afternoon, two superintendents said Monday as the investigations continued.
-
Survey: Town residents cool to merger
More than half of Oneonta town residents responding to a survey oppose the idea of a merger with the city of Oneonta, the study summary said.
But a majority said "yes" to a partnership with the city to protect the reservoir and quality of drinking water. Two-thirds oppose drilling for natural gas, according to responses, the survey reported, and a majority supports commercial and industrial development in the town.
-
Lawmakers: Farm bill has 'devastating' mandates
-
Correction
-
Copes Corner Park gets new lease on life
The job description for town supervisor doesn't normally include mowing grass, but that's what Charlie Eckelmann found himself doing the other day over at Copes Corner Park in the hamlet of Gilbertsville.
-
School budget votes held today statewide|
Voters across the state go to the polls today to decide the fate of their local school budgets. In many cases, the selection of board of education candidates and propositions are on the ballot.
-
Blodgett plan review to continue at meeting
The Oneonta Planning Commission on Wednesday will continue its review of environmental impact documents submitted as part of a site plan application for a proposed student apartment complex on Blodgett Drive.
-
Area life coach wins state recognition
Heidi Friedman, a local life coach, has been awarded a statewide honor by The Arc, a 60-year-old national organization, and ANCOR, an associated organization.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Fill each day, SUCO grads told
Two speakers at the State University College at Oneonta asked audiences to push the ``pause button'' on their lives Saturday.
-
Community comes together to build playground
The quote "If you build it, he will come" from the 1989 film "Field of Dreams" is often slightly altered to "If you build it, they will come."
-
Police to patrol schools after threats
Police will be present at public schools in Delhi and Walton today as a precaution in the aftermath of last week's online threats, school officials said Sunday.
-
Ramsaran remains in jail
Ganesh Ramsaran, accused of murdering his wife, remained in Chenango County jail Sunday on bail, authorities said.
-
Library, airport on council agenda
The Oneonta Common Council will consider the future of the Huntington Memorial Library and of the municipal airport, among other business, during a meeting Tuesday night.
-
Ramsaran freed on $300,000 bail
