Celebrating 203 years
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Business
Schools
Students helped raise over $6,000 this holiday season ... Page 6 Volume 203, No. 8 Feb. 23 to Mar. 1, 2011
Community
GCACC held monthly meeting, state of the chamber ... Page 7
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Board of Education meeting draws hundreds Uncertain financial future fuels discussion at auditorium By Pierce Smith
editor@cazenoviarepublican.com
Chris Ioset named Special Agent The former Cazenovia student graduated from the Rowley Academy in Washington D.C ...See page 15
Sports
Lakers fall to J-E With only one loss in their season so far, the girls varsity basketball team looks to advance to the Section III playoffs. ...See page 17
Hundreds gathered together on Valentine’s Day to discuss topics very close to their hearts, Cazenovia Central School Districts’ programs and personnel. At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Cazenovia High School Auditorium, students, parents, residents and school employees came out to voice their concerns and show their support at the most recent board of education meeting. With the Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent budget proposal sending shockwaves through districts across the New York, Cazenovia schools are facing a deficit of $1.25 million and declining enrollment. Non-mandated positions and programs have been considered for reduction. Kindergarten and counseling services are not required by state regulations, even though many consider them to be vital Several residents took the microphone and addressed the board, offering their insights to the ramifications of possible cuts and suggestions for alternative efforts to economize. Department leaders Ron Luteran and Eric Jerabek were the first to speak. The two applauded the school for their “tradition of excellence”
PIERCE SMITH
SHRINKING BUDGET, GROWING CONCERN: English teacher Thomas Murlin addressed the Cazenovia Board of Education on Feb. 14 in the High School Auditorium. Murlin’s speech was preceded by a number of his students, voicing their support for his position. and quality of newly hired staff, and warned that saving money by increasing class sizes and decreasing staffing is an equation that will yield an inverse reaction. “Our tradition of excellence has been based predominately on how well we connect with kids. We’ve had the ability to adapt our instruction skills so that the needs of the children are met,” Jerabek said. “With larger class sizes it’s harder to have the kids connect with us, and it’s
harder to get the kids to connect with the material; that’s not to say we don’t try our hardest,” Others addressed the importance of the agricultural, music, health and athletic departments, which could also face reductions. Several student-members of the Future Farmers of America spoke, as well as one of their agricultural science instructors, Mandi Millen. Afraid the program will cease to exist in See Budget, page 11
Burton Street skating rinks have rich history, melting budget Mother Nature, money issues contributing factors to closing By Pierce Smith
BUSINESS .....................7 CALENDAR ...................2 CLASSIFIEDS .............. 19 COMMUNITY NEWS ......3 EDITORIAL ....................4 HISTORY ......................8 PUBLIC NOTICES ........ 18 SCHOOL NEWS .............6 SPORTS ..................... 16
BOB AND BOBBIE STINTSON
FACE OFF: Local youth hockey program participants compete in a scrimmage during the winter of 1964. The rink they are skating on, is now the enclosed hockey rink that runs perpendicular to Burton Street.
The ice-skating season at the Burton Street rinks may be ending in the coming weeks. While the season started considerably early three months ago, unpredictable weather patterns and a dwindling budget have subsequently forced coordinators to set a tentative closing date for Feb. 27. Funds that keep the rinks open each year are drawn from the Joint Recreation Program. The budget is shared between the village and town of Cazenovia, the town of Nelson and the town of Fenner. The four municipalities contribute finances according to the percentage of residents that use the skating rinks. This year, the village of Cazenovia drew a limited amount of supplemental funds from another line in their budget in order to prolong the skating season. Board members encouraged the three other entities to do the same, while understanding that municipal budgets are tight for
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See Skating, page 9
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