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Remembering 9/11 Cazenovia holds annual vigil
Submitted photos
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, members of the Cazenovia community observed the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks with a candlelight vigil in Memorial Park on Albany Street. The ceremony served to remember the victims of the attacks and honor the heroism of the first responders and service members who answered the call of duty. The candlelight vigil is coordinated annually by members of the non-profit teen organization Project CAFÉ. This year’s event featured representatives of local emergency response and veterans groups, music, silent reflection, and more.
Gene Gissin
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
BOE seeks funding for comprehensive merger study By kate hill Staff writer On Sept. 16, the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education (CCSD BOE) passed a resolution authorizing Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio to pursue a comprehensive merger study to be undertaken jointly with the Morrisville-Eaton School District, including the engagement of appropriate consultants, the collection and analysis of relevant data, and collaboration with stakeholders from both districts. The resolution explains that CCSD is committed to exploring all avenues that may improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for its students. It also states that the BOE recognizes the potential benefits of a merger, including enhanced academic programs, increased extracurricular opportunities, and potential cost savings. “[The] board has received a recommendation from the superintendent of schools, Christopher DiFulvio, to explore the feasibility of a merger with the Morrisville-Eaton School District; and [it] is in the best interest of the Cazenovia community to fully understand the potential impacts, both positive and negative, of such a merger,” the resolution states. During the superintendent’s report, DiFulvio informed the board that so far, he had not had success convincing the New York State government to pay for the merger study. “I’m trying; I’m banging on the legislators’ doors,” he said. “I appreciate everything that [NYS Assemblyman] Al Stirpe has gotten for us in terms of bullet aid to help us through this year, but I think that well is a little bit dry. So, what we have done is Greg Molloy of Morrisville has requested from [NYS Senator] Joe
Griffo, and I’ve requested from Al Stirpe that each of them co-sponsor a bill [to] reimburse districts for the cost of a merger study. That’s the angle that we are trying. They definitely listened to us, so we expect them to make some calls and get some feelers.” When discussing the resolution authorizing him to pursue the merger study, DiFulvio explained that if CCSD is unable to get the cost of the study covered, the board could discuss the district covering its portion itself, or it could decide not to move forward with the study. “We could say, ‘Hey, we don’t think the district should pay for this, so we are going to pause and wait,’ or ‘We are going to withdraw,” he said. “. . . I struggle with just saying, ‘Hey, let’s rush and get the study done and have Cazenovia pay for it.’ It kind of sours the water right out of the gate to say to the taxpayer, ‘We don’t have money, so now let’s take some of this money that could pay for half of a teaching assistant or half of a teacher. I just think we should really shake every tree and see what we can get first.” BOE President JoAnne Race pointed out that the resolution does not authorize the superintendent to spend a specific amount or engage with a particular company. “This isn’t authorizing anything specific [about the merger study],” she said. “That would come before the board in the form of an amount and a company that we would utilize.” DiFulvio also informed the board that he is aware of two consultants who do merger studies, and they provided him with verbal quotes of $70,000 and $100,000. “I could ask them for it in writing, but that is what we were told,” he said. BOE l Page 7
Nelson to unveil Old Drovers Tavern historical marker
By kate Hill Staff Writer The Town of Nelson, in partnership with the Erieville-Nel-
son Heritage Society (ENHS) and Nelson Preservation AssociSubmitted photos ates (NPA), will unveil a new his- On Sept. 29, the Town of Nelson, in partnership with the Erieville-Nelson Heritage Society and Nelson Prestorical marker at Nelson Corners ervation Associates, will unveil a new historical marker recognizing the historical significance of the Old Drovers l Page 13 Drovers Tavern at 3307 US-20. A reception will be held following the ceremony. All are welcome to attend.
Volume 214, Number 38 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
Cornell in the community: Lavender in the workplace and schools?
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sports: Cazenovia football outscored by General Brown.
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Editorial ��������������������� 6
Obituaries ���������������� 18
history ������������������������ 6
PennySaver ���������������� 8
letters ������������������������ 6
Sports �������������������� 3,12