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
-
-
Grand jury indicts Ganesh Ramsaran for 2nd degree murder
A Chenango County grand jury today handed up an indictment charging Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran with second-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 11 killing of his 36-year-old wife, Jennifer, in the couple's home at 473 Sheff Road in New Berlin.
-
Power restored in downtown Oneonta
After about a 4:30-minute power failure, power was restored to downtown Oneonta at 2:30 p.m., according to Ann Carnrike, field customer service representative for New York State Electric and Gas.
-
Ramsaran released on $300K bail
Accused killer Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was freed from Chenango County Jail on Wednesday afternoon after he and relatives posted $300,000 worth of real estate to meet bail conditions set by County Judge Frank Revoir Jr.
-
OHS climbers eye state's highest peak
Two Oneonta High School seniors plan to climb the state's highest mountain Friday to raise money for a nonprofit that promotes female empowerment.
-
Area trooper commander to retire
-
Police investigate fire at Delaware County shop
State police, county and state fire investigators are looking into the cause of a blaze at the New and Old Curiosity Shoppe on state Route 28 in the town of Middletown, Delaware County.
-
Common Council to consider project on Spruce Street
A $1.7 million construction project along Spruce Street will be the topic of a public information meeting in Common Council Chambers at 6 tonight.
-
Cuomo proposes SUNY tax-free zones
New York state would provide a tax-free environment on and around State University campuses under an initiative announced Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
-
Planners continue Blodgett plan review
Oneonta planners revisited answers pertaining to storm water drainage, traffic and noise Wednesday night as it continued considering environmental factors of a proposed student housing complex.
-
One local school budget defeated
-
Rx forms missing from hospital
About 800 blank prescription forms are missing from Bassett Medical Center, Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl said Wednesday.
-
University women's group to hold final luncheon
After almost 75 years advocating for women and providing community programs, a local group will have a final luncheon today that also will mark its accomplishments.
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013
-
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.
-
Grand jury indicts Ganesh Ramsaran for 2nd degree murder
