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Valley News
May 2, 2020
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
Willsboro Central School budget stalled pending vote date File photo
Hochul: No definite date to reopen North Country By Joshua Miner CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul explained the implications of reopening the region last Wednesday during a Town Hall “tele-call” with the North Country Chamber of Commerce, stating that while cases of COVID-19 remain low here, it is still too soon to set a definitive date for local businesses and schools to open. “We are unveiling a strategy,” Hochul said. “We just don’t have the answer on dates yet.” With recent pop-up tests at Plattsburgh’s Market 32 and across the state, Hochul said they will now begin to have an idea just how widespread this virus is throughout New York. At a press briefi ng held last Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled t he prelimina r y results of these tests. While New York City and surrounding areas showed as many as 21 percent of people having the antibodies, only 3.9 percent of those tested in the rest of the state were positive. Hochul said the tests are crucial for reopening New York, as the antibodies show who may have contracted and then successfully fought off the virus. These individuals can be more resistant to catching and spreading COVID and would be considered safer candidates to return to work. According to researchers, many people have contracted the virus without any symptoms. Through the antibody tests, Hochul said, a clearer picture of COVID’s true impact on the state will emerge. Although numbers for upstate New York are much lower than in New York City, Hochul explains that we may be behind the curve in the North Country. As a result, she explains the reopening of New York state will need to be done on a region by region basis. See HOCHUL » pg. 8
in March, School Superintendent Justin Gardner said they may have to reevaluate decisions on some expenses to adjust for any loss in state revenue.
give Willsboro wiggle room. “We are considering an option to not replace a teacher that is retiring. That could accommodate for some loss in state aid,” Gardner said.
hopes that schools would remain closed to ensure protection of our students, staff and community. But we miss our kids, we know this is hard for everyone.”
By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
WILLSBORO |Area schools are sitting on stalled budget plans, waiting for a date-certain to hold school budget and School Board votes. They have been told by State Education that the vote will be set sometime after June 1. And further, state aid allocations that drive each budget will be reviewed over “Look Back” phases to keep pace with ongoing loss of revenue and if federal aid might plug the gap. Schools are moving past the first Look Back period, April 1 to April 30, with no concrete information. The second “Look Back” is May 1 to June 30, ostensibly when districts would adopt a 2020-21 budget. The third “Look Back,” from July 1 to Dec. 31, could involve making cuts in an approved budget year 2020-21. Schools that rely on a high percentage of state aid would be hardest hit.
AVCS district has made, packaged, bused over 14,000 meals to students See » pg. 4
Willsboro Central is working within an assigned 2.82 percent tax levy cap. “We were well out at completing the budget, balancing fiscal respon-
Willsboro Central School staff prepare schoolwork and food packages for distribution to the districts students. The school has set up a free WiFi network that is available for use from school parking lots. Photos by Kim Dedam At Willsboro Central School, approximately 25 to 30 percent of funding comes from the state. With the budget process stalled
sibility to taxpayers and residents with the goal of providing a great education for our students.” There aren’t many line items that
But less reliance on state aid could mean Willsboro Central doesn’t face the shortfall other districts might see. “We are planning for the worst, although we don’t know how bad that ‘worst’ could be. We’re not sure when the budget and School Board vote will be or how the vote would occur, in person or by absentee votes. With so many unknowns, it is difficult to finalize plans.” There are two open seats on the Willsboro Central School Board and incumbent Herb Longware is seeking reelection. “We have not collected School Board election petitions yet, because those have been put on hold,” Gardner said. “We are still committed to getting information needed by taxpayers to participate and be informed.” The extension of school closure through May 15 was expected, the superintendent said. “The extension confi rmed our
UVM network offering coronavirus testing From News Reports ELIZABETHTOWN | The University of Vermont Health Network-Elizabethtown Community Hospital will offer by-appointment COVID-19 testing at its Elizabethtown and Ticonderoga campuses. The hospital’s testing service will be available to people with respiratory symptoms or other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, those with exposure to a suspected or confirmed case and to those whose return to work depends on a negative test result. According to Dr. David Clauss, UVM Health Network-Elizabethtown Community Hospital chief medical officer, the hospital has expanded eligibility for testing because there is now secure access to testing supplies. “Testing and isolating positive cases is the best way for us to avoid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Essex County,” said Essex
3609 Essex Road, Willsboro, NY • (518) 963-8612 • Fax: (518) 963-4583 MEAT Boneless Ribeye Steaks...............................................................$10.99 lb. Frozen Duck Breast .......................................................................$11.99 lb. Glazier Red Skin Hot Dogs .............................................................$5.99 lb. Pork Cube Steaks ............................................................................$2.99 lb. Margherita Pepperoni ....................................................................$5.99 lb. DELI Hard Salami ..................................................................................... $4.99 lb. Provolone Cheese........................................................................... $4.99 lb.
Temporary Store Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm, 7 days a week
County Health Department Director Linda Beers. The Essex County Office of Emergency Services recently received 75 COVID-19 test kits, the second such shipment from the state. “The latest shipment will bolster testing capacity in the region,” said Beers. Appointments for the hospital’s testing service will be available daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UVM Health Network’s Elizabethtown Community Hospital and its Ticonderoga Campus. To schedule an appointment in Elizabethtown, call 518-873-3069. To schedule an appointment in Ticonderoga, call 518-585-3927. In-person and telehealth appointments are also available at the hospital’s health centers located in AuSable Forks, Elizabethtown, Westport and Willsboro. The health centers are accepting new patients and offering next-day appointments. For more information, call 518-873-6896. ■
PRODUCE Fresh Broccoli Crowns .................................................................. $1.99 lb. Seedless Cucumbers .................................................................... $1.99 ea. Fresh Local Spinach.................................................$4.69 / ea. clamshell Fresh Blueberries .......................................................................$3.99 / pint EFFECTIVE MAY 1ST OUR SUB AND SANDWICH CASE WILL REOPEN. MASKS MUST BE WORN WHEN GIVING AND RECEIVING YOUR ORDER. THE COFFEE COUNTER & BREAKFAST SANDWICH WARMER WILL ALSO REOPEN.
Online instruction and meal delivery programs have gone well in Willsboro, Gardner said. “Throughout the COVID-19 school closure, Willsboro Central School District has been and will continue to be committed to providing high-quality instruction and nutritious meals to all of our students,” Gardner said. “We have set up regular deliveries of school meals and instructional materials to each student’s home address. Our teachers are providing remote instruction via electronic and/ or paper-based format to all students. Cafeteria, maintenance and transportation staff are all working hard to support the preparation and delivery of food and instructional materials to students. The commitment to our students and our school community displayed by all during this challenging time has been beyond impressive.” The district has set up a free WiFi network that is available for public use from the school parking lots. ■
Essex Co. Health Department releases updated virus numbers ELIZABETHTOWN | Updated information on COVID-19 case and test results as of Saturday, April 15, are as follows: Total Positive Cases 41 (up from 32). Total Confirmed 27 (up from 18). Total suspect 14 (no change). Testing results: Number of persons tested 261 (up from 197). Positive results 27 (up from 18) . Negative results 234 (up from 179). Essex County towns with positive or suspected positive results are Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Essex, Jay, Keene, Moriah, North Elba, St. Armand, Schroon, Ticonderoga and Westport. To view the detailed breakdown of this data, visit co.essex.ny.us/Health/. ■
SHOP NOW - SHOP LATER SHOP - Willsboro
APRIL 30 TH – MAY 6 TH
Essential businesses ARE OPEN!
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New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul
Area schools await final date -after June 1 -- for budget, board vote
SEE PAGE 2
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