eedition The Daily Mail February 18 2022

Page 1

The Daily Mail Copyright 2021, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 230, No. 34

Serving Greene County since 1792

All Rights Reserved

Price $1.50

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

Bogins takes seat on council

Graduation rates rise in pandemic’s 2nd year

By Ted Remsnyder Columbia-Greene Media

school in 2008 graduated at an average rate of 76.7%. “A high school diploma is more than a piece of paper,” Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said in a statement. “For many, a diploma is the key to unlocking opportunities that may seem out

CAIRO — Four days after the sudden resignation of former councilman Stephen Kralovich, the Cairo Town Board approved its newest member on Wednesday with the unanimous confirmation of Republican nominee Debra Bogins. Kralovich stepped down due to “unforeseen circumstances” and the board promptly nominated Bogins to serve in his stead for the rest of 2022. A special election will be held Nov. 8 to fill the remainder of Kralovich’s term, which is set to expire Dec. 31, 2023. During the board’s workshop meeting Wednesday night, Town Supervisor Jason Watts and council members MaryJo Cords, Tim Powers and Michael Flaherty voted 4-0 to confirm Bogins’ appointment. Following the meeting, Bogins said she plans to run in November to retain her seat. Bogins said she was surprised to be offered the nomination in the short time between Kralovich’s resignation on Saturday and her confirmation on Wednesday. After the board confirmed Bogins at the start of Wednesday’s meeting, she was sworn in by Cairo Town Justice Joan VanDenburgh and subsequently took her seat on the board for the rest of the meeting. Bogins ran in the Cairo Republican Committee caucus in March 2021 and finished fourth in a fourperson race for two GOP town board nominations. She said she was eager to serve on the council when the board chose to nominate her this week. “I actually was in the caucus because I wanted to be on the board,” she said following the meeting. “I’ve lived here my whole entire life and I love the town of Cairo. My family has been here for years. My greatgrandparents are buried at the cemetery. I know all of the people

See RATES RISE A2

See BOGINS A2

FILE PHOTO

Catskill High School at 341 West Main St.

By Kate Lisa and Noah Eckstein Columbia-Greene Media

High school seniors in Greene County largely graduated at higher rates in 2021 compared to the previous academic year, according to new state Education Department data, overcoming difficulties in the second year of the coronavirus pandemic. Graduation rates of public high school students across the state’s 700-plus school districts slightly increased by 1.3%, or at a statewide average of 86.1% in the 2020-21 academic year for students who entered high school in 2017. The pandemic has exacerbated inequities in the education system — highlighting greater hurdles for students in low socioeconomic and minority districts and gaps in digital literacy as classrooms relied on remote learning. “We know educational opportunities are not equally available to all students,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young Jr. said in a statement. “Graduation rates are one metric we use to identify where inequities exist so we can better support our students and education communities. Every student can succeed when given the support to do so. Until we address them, inequities will continue to diminish opportunities for too many students. Through our work on diversity, equity and inclusion, we are focused on addressing the barriers that impact our most vulnerable students.” Cairo-Durham’s graduating seniors received their high school diplomas at a reduction of 12%, or 80% last year down from 92% in 2019-2020. Cairo-Durham the only district in Greene County where graduation rates declined. School

representatives did not return requests for comment about the graduation rate Thursday. An average of 84.8% of public school students who graduated in the 2019-2020 academic year received their diplomas, according to the department. The state’s graduation rates have increased 9.4% in the last decade. Students who started in high

Crews fight large fire in apartment building By Bill Williams Columbia-Greene Media

TANNERSVILLE — A fastmoving fire tore through an apartment building on the mountaintop in Greene County early Thursday morning. The four-unit apartment building in Tannersville sustained heavy damage in the blaze. “There is nothing left of the roof and attic area of the building, Tannersville fire chief Steve Tuomey said. At about 12:31 a.m., Greene County 911 sent Tannersville Fire Department to 9 Spruce St., after receiving a call from a man who said his house was on fire. When the first firefighters

arrived on the scene, they confirmed there was a fire in the structure and immediately requested mutual-aid assistance from neighboring fire companies. Nine additional companies were requested to assist Tannersville. All the residents of the building were able to get out safely before firefighters arrived. There were no pets in the residence, Tuomey said. The strong, gusty winds were a factor in how quickly the fire spread throughout the building, Tuomey said. Crews poured water on the burning building for several

n SPORTS FORECAST FOR HUDSON/CA

See FIRE A2

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATSKILL FIRE COMPANY

Fire tears through the roof of a two-story apartment building in Tannersville on Thursday morning.

n WEATHER page A2 TODAY TONIGHT

SAT

Turning sunny and windy

Clear

A couple of snow showers

HIGH 51

LOW 20

38 19

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATSKILL FIRE COMPANY

Ten fire companies were sent to assist in fighting a fire in a twostory apartment building in Tannersville on Thursday morning.

n INDEX

n STATE

Section II postseason

A new initiative

Chatham is the No. 2 seed in Class CC in the Section II boys basketball playoffs PAGE B1

$1.6B investment in broadband will differ from other programs PAGE A6

Region A3 Opinion A4 Local A5 State/Nation A6 ObituariesA6 Sports B1 Classified B4-B5 Comics/Advice B7-B8

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