Latest news with #Colabufo
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Central Square superintendent explains tax levies ahead of school budget voting day
CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Tuesday, May 20, Central New Yorkers will vote on whether to approve or reject their local school districts budget proposal. Each district with the exception of Syracuse city schools, presents a budget, along with a tax levy that will impact property taxes. Central Square's Superintendent Tom Colabufo is no stranger to getting a school budget passed. This year, his district is looking to keep what's in their budget, much the same as last year. 'We're looking to keep the same number of kids that want to go to city BOCES, which is about 175,' Colabufo said. 'We want to be able to keep our 26 college courses that are free for students. We want to be able to keep a special patrol officer in each of our schools and counselors in our elementary, middle, and high school.' This year, the district has put forth a budget of a little under $104 million. That includes a 6.86% tax levy increase. Colabufo explains how that would impact people's property taxes. 'If somebody has a $200,000 house, it would go up $184 for the year. If they have a $100,000 house, it's $92 dollars. A $300,000 house, it's $276,' Colabufo said. Last year, the districts tax levy was around 4%. They decided to raise it this year because they're getting less aid from the state. 'For a district that roughly gets roughly $60 million in state aid, a year ago we got 4.5% percent state aid. To go from 4.5% out of 60 million dollars, down to 2%, we have to make that money up somewhere. Or we have to look at $2 million worth of cuts,' Colabufo said. So, on Tuesday, voters will decide if they pick up the rest of the bill for the district. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
History shows school district asked for State DOT's help with Route 11 years before student was seriously hurt
HASTINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Years before a 12-year-old student was hit by a car on Route 11, history shows repeated requests for the State Department of Transportation to enhance safety outside Central Square Middle School. Letters obtained by NewsChannel 9, dating back 25 years, show written requests for the DOT to install a traffic signal at Route 11's intersection with the middle school's driveway. The letters indicate that the school district made the request at least four times: in 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2016. Each time, responding representatives for the State DOT indicate the agency conducted studies at the intersection and rejected a traffic signal or light outside the middle school. In an August 1, 2016 letter to State Senator Pattie Ritchie, the Oswego-area state senator at the time, DOT Commissioner Matthew Driscoll wrote: 'The study was very comprehensive and included an analysis of a six-year accident history, a three-day traffic count during school peak periods, and evaluation of the on-site conditions. The traffic volumes were below the minimum needed to warrant a signal, and the accident history did not support making any changes to the intersection.' The initial request from Senator Richie said, 'Parents, village officials in Central Square and members of the community all agree that the addition of a traffic light would greatly contribute to improved safety at the school. This traffic light would help ease the spike in traffic during times when parents are dropping off and picking kids up, as well as ease the difficulty for school buses.' 'NYSDOT staff will continue to monitor the intersection for a change in conditions that would warrant a restudy,' Driscoll concluded his letter. On Wednesday, Central Square School Superintendent Tom Colabufo told NewsChannel 9 he's renewing the district's efforts to get the DOT to improve safety in front of the middle school. Colabufo said he's been in touch with Hastings Town Supervisor Tony Bush and State Senator Chris Ryan. Colabufo said installation of a traffic light, as has been requested for years before his administration, would come with a crosswalk to benefit the safety of students crossing the street. Senator Chris Ryan's office confirms it heard from Colabufo on Wednesday and commits to renewing the conversation with the State DOT's engineers. Through a spokesperson, Senator Ryan said, 'It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience.' Another letter obtained by NewsChannel 9 shows the Town of Hastings discontinued employment of a crossing guard used by the district in 2007. '…the Town of Hastings will no longer provide this service and your employment is terminated as of this date,' wrote then-Supervisor James Weatherup to the crossing guard. In 2004, lawyers for the Central Square School District said state law requires crossing guards to be employed by the municipal government, not the school district. In a statement to NewsChannel 9 on Tuesday, when asked about the safety concerns on Route 11, a State DOT spokesperson said: 'Safety is always the priority of the New York State Department of Transportation. As the recent pedestrian-involved crash is the subject of a law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.' 'My office has heard from the Central Square School District Superintendent Tom Colabufo regarding previous conversations with the Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light and crosswalk in front of Central Square Middle School—conversations that predate my time in office. It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience. I am fully committed to reigniting this conversation with the DOT and will advocate for the necessary safety measures to be implemented as soon as possible. The safety of our students, families and community members must come first. I look forward to working with the District, local leaders and state officials to ensure that no family has to endure this kind of heartbreak again.' New York State Senator Chris Ryan (D), Geddes – 50th District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Central Square's Board of Education taking action on cell phone usage
CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. (WSYR) — Central Square's Board of Education has released the digital device policy after Governor Kathy Hochul laid out her proposal, detailing statewide cell phone usage in schools. Central Square's Board of Education taking action on cell phone usage Cold with lingering snow showers overnight Photos: What the Superdome is serving for the Super Bowl USAID direct hires put on leave worldwide, except those deemed essential What happens if the Department of Education is abolished? The Central Square School District has decided to take a less stringent approach with students. Elementary and middle school students are required to turn off all their devices and keep them stored in either their locker or backpack during the school day. High school students are required to keep their devices stored away during instructional time, but they are allowed to use them in spaces outside of the classroom, such as the hallway, cafeteria, and study hall. The purpose of the new policy is to establish expectations for the use of personal technology at all times on school grounds. 'If a student isn't able to…stay after school or a parent needs to get in touch with their child…there's a way to be able to do that responsibly and it can still take place during the day…just not during the instructional portions of the day,' Jennifer Schantz, a teacher and student government advisor, said. Schantz, an educator with an insider perspective, said she does not want to completely take away a student's ability to communicate with others. 'It's really important for advisors and coaches to be able to take and get in touch with their students,' she said. Superintendent Tom Colabufo said the Board of Education is respecting the governor's initiative to remove distractions in the classroom. 'We're going to remove that by removing cell phones in instructional spaces,' Colabufo said. Colabufo said the administration also wants students to be prepared to interact in professional settings that will require cell phone use after their time at Central Square. 'These are also kids that will be on college campuses…our seniors…in less than half a year…or in the military or in the workforce and they're going to have to have those skill sets of knowing and a little bit of freedom,' he said. Consequences for inappropriate use: First offense: The teacher directs the student to store the device appropriately. No referral is required unless repeated within the same period. For administrative referrals, the digital device is confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Parents are informed about the incident. Second offense: The device is confiscated and held in the office until a parent/guardian picks it up. The student may also face two after-school detentions. Third offense: The device is confiscated and held until a parent/guardian retrieves it. For repeated violations, the privilege to bring a device to school will be evaluated. Students may be required to check in their device daily. Refusal to comply: Students refusing to turn in their device when requested may face in-school suspension for insubordination, with escalating consequences for repeat offenses. Severe violations: Misuse of digital devices for bullying, harassment, or other harmful behavior may result in confiscation, review of device contents, and potential police involvement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
