By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2020 at 4:26 pm
There are four new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County and 11 more in Genesee County, according to the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments.
The department is breaking out the ages by decades, starting today. Previously the cases were listed as being under 65, or 65 and older.
In Orleans County, the four new positive cases bring the county’s total to 21. All 4 new cases live in the central part of the county. The cases include people in their 50s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
All of the Orleans positive cases were connected to a confirmed positive case and are in mandatory isolation the Health Department said.
Genesee County’s 11 new positive cases bring the total to 54 confirmed cases. Ten of the new cases are for people who live in the central part of the county with the other person living in the eastern part of Genesee.
The cases include one in the 20s, four people in their 30s, two in their 40s, three in their 60s, and one in the 70s.
The Health Department said they are included the age ranges broken down by decade (except those from ages 0-20) to reiterate that any age is susceptible to COVID-19 and the complications.
“Throughout the nation even young people are having serious complications which may be associated with known or unknown underlying health conditions and health behaviors such as smoking, vaping and obesity,” the Health Department said in a news release.
On Thursday the Health Department is planning a cumulative breakdown of the ages for all cases.
With the four new cases in Orleans and 11 in Genesee, contact tracing has been started with known contacts placed under mandatory quarantine. They will be swabbed for a Covid-19 test if symptoms become present.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2020 at 1:50 pm
Cuomo announces unemployment benefits extended from 26 to 39 weeks, with New Yorkers who filed receiving $600 check soon
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state seems to be flattening the curve and making progress in stopping the spread of coronavirus. However, the governor shared grim news that 779 people died in state on Tuesday from the virus, the highest death toll yet from Covid-19.
It surpassed the previous high of 731, which was on Monday. There are now 6,862 New Yorkers who have died from the virus. That is more than the 2,753 killed in New York City during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The governor said the daily number of people who die from the virus may remain high for another week to reflect the higher rate of hospitalizations from about a week to two weeks ago. The number admitted to the hospital for Covid-19 is slowing, and Cuomo expects the number of deaths to decline to reflect that. He told reporters at his 12:30 p.m. news conference that the healthcare system should stabilize in the next couple of weeks after seeing dramatic increases the past month in Covid-19 patients.
Cuomo said New York residents should not let their guard down about adhering to guidelines about social distancing and staying home as much as possible. The numbers could spike high again if people push too quickly to return to life before the pandemic.
“We are flattening the curve because we are rigorous about doing social distancing,” Cuomo said. “This is not a time to get complacent. We have to remain diligent.”
The governor, in honor of the 6,862 who have died from Covid-19, ordered that flags be lowered across the state.
Cuomo confirmed 10,453 additional cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 149,316.
He also announced unemployment benefits would be extended from 26 to 39 weeks, and those who filed for unemployment who be receiving a $600 check very soon. That check will be reimbursed to the state through the federal CARES Act.
The governor also announced absentee voting would be allowed for all registered voters in the state in the upcoming June 23 primary and election.
Five agencies in Orleans County have been approved for $74,000 through a new WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
The agencies to receive funding include Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, Meals on Wheels program through the Arc of Genesee Orleans, Christ Community Kitchen in Albion, and The Kendall Food Cupboard.
The five agencies together will share $74,000 from the fund, said Dean Bellack, executive director of the Orleans County United Way.
Those agencies are all on the front line of serving people in need, Bellack said.
The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund is coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, The John R. Oishei Foundation and the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. They announced $4.5 million to 74 organizations.
Grants were awarded to organizations in eight counties of Western New York that are addressing immediate needs in the community as a result of the COVID-19 crisis in the areas of food, housing, healthcare, childcare, mental health, transportation and other emergency services.
Grants were made to nonprofit organizations throughout WNY including urban and rural areas, organizations of every size, and to those serving a range of populations with consideration for areas already in economic distress.
The following nonprofit organizations received a grant from the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund:
Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development
Arc of Genesee Orleans (Meals on Wheels)
BestSelf Behavioral Health
Boys & Girls Clubs Collaborative
Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network
Buffalo Urban League
CAO of Western New York
Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties Project Head Start
Cattaraugus Community Action
Cattaraugus County Dept. of Aging (Meals on Wheels Fund)
Cazenovia Recovery Systems
CCNY
Child & Family Services of Erie County
Child Care Coalition of the Niagara Frontier
Christ Church Community Kitchen in Albion
City Mission Society, Inc.
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Community Health Center of Buffalo
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier
CoNECT (Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo)
Crisis Services
Cuba Cultural Center
Directions in Independent Living
Empower (United Cerebral Palsy Assoc. of Niagara County)
Erie Regional Housing Develop. (Belle Center)
Evergreen Health
Every Bottom Covered
Family Help Center
Feed Buffalo
FeedMore WNY
Friends of Night People
Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Inc.
Harvest House of South Buffalo
Health Association of Niagara County (HANCI)
Healthy Community Alliance
Heart Love & Soul
Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action, Inc.
Horizon Health Services
Jericho Road Community Health Center
Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County
Journey’s End Refugee Services
Kendall Community Food Cupboard Corp.
Learning Disabilities Association of WNY
Life Impact (Resurrection Life Food Pantry)
Lt. Col. Matt Urban HSC of WNY
Metro Community Develop. Corp.
Mid-Erie Mental Health Services (Endeavor Health Services)
Native American Community Services
Neighborhood Health Center
Niagara Community Action Program, Inc.
Northpointe Council
NYS Network for Youth Success
Olmsted Center for Sight
Open Buffalo (Seeding Resilience Initiative)
Parkside Evangelical Lutheran Church
PUSH Buffalo
Restoration Society
Safety-Net Assoc. of Primary Care Affiliated Providers
Save the Michaels of the World
Say Yes Buffalo
Spectrum Health and Human Services
The Dale Association
The Rural Outreach Center
The Salvation Army – Olean Corps.
The Salvation Army (Erie County)
The Salvation Army (Niagara County)
Valley Community Assoc.
Western New York Independent Living
Westminster Economic Development Initiative
YMCA Buffalo Niagara
YMCA of the Twin Tiers
Youth Mentoring Services
YWCA Niagara Frontier
YWCA Western New York
To date, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund has received approximately $5.5 million from local foundations, private sector companies, and individuals. Additional funds raised will be distributed based on evolving needs related to the pandemic. To see a full list of contributors to the Fund, visit www.WNYResponds.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2020 at 10:17 am
Orleans County residents are expected to receive two text messages today, around noon and at 6 p.m., from the 911 emergency alert system, urging residents to protect themselves and others in the community from the coronavirus.
This is the first time the local 911 emergency communication system is sending out a county-wide alert, said Dale Banker, the emergency management director for Orleans County.
“Your impact on the community is great, and your efforts in promoting and adhering to the safety guidelines is appreciated,” according to the message.
The Public Health departments in Genesee and Orleans counties urged the 911 centers in each county to send the messages to residents. Genesee County sent the texts on Tuesday.
The message to Orleans County residents will remind them to take precautions against the virus by staying home, washing your hands frequently and following social distancing by staying at least six feet away from non-household members.
“We thank you and your community for your cooperation during these difficult times,” according to the message.
Orleans and Genesee counties have both seen a jump in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases. Orleans is up from 6 on Thursday to 17 on Tuesday. Genesee County increased from 17 on Thursday to 44 on Tuesday.
The texts today will reinforce the importance of health and safety guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and the NYS Department of Health.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2020 at 8:33 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Caden Crosby, a senior at Albion High School in 2018, helps a plant a bur oak tree on Nov. 1, 2017 as part of his community service requirement for all students at Albion.
ALBION – The school district requires all graduates of Albion Central School to complete at least 30 hours of documented community service.
Some students complete the community service during their freshmen or sophomore years, and often exceed 100 hours of service. But many students also tend to wait until late in their senior year to complete the 30 hours.
There are some students to graduate in June who haven’t reached the 30 hours of community service yet. The Albion Board of Education on Monday decided to give them a waiver on reaching that threshold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many organizations where students could do their community service are currently closed to the public.
Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said the district values service learning and isn’t making the decision lightly about the service requirement. Students who met the requirement and also reached 100 hours will be noted in the commencement program.
In other action at Monday’s meeting:
• The board accepted a bid from P-A-Z Masonry of Albion to construct two dugouts each for softball and soccer. P-A-Z submitted the low bid of $66,100. Thompson Builds of Churchill submitted a bid for $81,531. The project includes a concrete pad for the dugouts which will be cinder blocks with a roof. One of the soccer dugouts also includes a small room for a sound system.
• The board agreed to allow online view of tax bills, where property owners could also print the
school tax bills and receipts. Derek Vallese, the district’s business administrator, said Albion receives many requests from individuals, attorneys, and tax preparers for public access to tax bills and receipts.
Vallese said Albion is the only school district in the county that does not have this service available. Currently an individual has to call the tax collector and request a copy of the tax bill or the receipt.
Vallese said the tax bills are public information. Albion won’t charge to view the bills. The district will grant “view only” access to the tax bills.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2020 at 6:55 pm
‘We’re asking the public to do their part, even if it’s painful, even if it’s something you don’t want to do. Maybe you don’t really believe or you don’t want to hear that this is a significant issue for us. We’re all in this together.’ – Paul Pettit
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Albion last week closed Bullard Park to the public to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the community. Many communities have closed parks, especially playgrounds during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties is urging all residents in the community to take the coronavirus seriously.
Paul Pettit, the public health director, said big increase in cases in the two counties in the past few days shows people are not adhering to social distancing with many going to stores, work and public places, sometimes while they are symptomatic.
In Orleans County, the number of cases has increased from 9 on Friday to 17 today. In Genesee County, the confirmed cases is up from 21 on Friday to 44 today.
“We’re asking you all, we’re asking the public to do their part, even if it’s painful, even if it’s something you don’t want to do,” Pettit said. “Maybe you don’t really believe or you don’t want to hear that this is a significant issue for us. But we’re all in this together, we live together, we play together, we work together. This is something that we all have to be part of to be successful and continue to flatten the curve and push this out so we don’t continue to have a spike in cases.”
Pettit said the Health Departments in the two counties receive many calls from the community about people congregating and not observing social distancing.
This week is Public Health Week in the state. Pettit said the local health departments have dedicated and hard-working staff. But Pettit said the community’s health, especially during this pandemic, depends on everyone doing their part.
“Public health is not about one person, it’s not about an agency or a government bureaucracy doing their work,” Pettit said. “Public health is about all of us together in our community. We’re going to be as healthy as we’re going to be, we’re going to be as a sick as we’re going to be as a result of the actions we take today, as a result of the way we come together and look at this as a community wide issue.”
“I call on every single of you that we are all public health, we’re all in this together, and we need to take this very seriously, and make sure we adhere to the guidelines and the guidance before so we make sure we can get through this difficult situation in front of us as quickly as we can,” Pettit said.
The best defense against Covid-19? Stay home as much as possible, Pettit said.
The Health Department provided the following update this afternoon:
Going out for essentials – recommendations
• If you have to pick up essential items such as groceries or prescriptions, only one member of the household should be going out. Make a list ahead of time to limit your exposure in the store. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and other people.
• Do not bring in unessential items such as purses, phones, etc. These items can carry germs from the store and back home with you. Wash your hands frequently and use a cloth face shield to protect yourself and others from spreading the virus.
Businesses and Employers
• Essential businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the New York State Department of Health and every business, even if essential, is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible.
• As an employer or business, it is your responsibility to protect your workforce and to follow and understand guidance as it pertains to Covid-19. The health and safety of your employees should be your utmost concern.
Below are some things to consider:
• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home. Develop policies that encourage sick employees to stay at home without fear of repercussions, and ensure employees are aware of these policies. There is a lot of guidance and information available to businesses and employees in regards to coverage of wages and protections related to Covid-19
• Provide education and training materials in an easy to understand format and in the appropriate language and literacy level for all employees, like fact sheets and posters.
• If an employee becomes sick while at work, they should be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home immediately. Follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting areas the sick employee visited.
• Have conversations with employees about their concerns. Some employees may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.
• The Governor has established the New York State PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force where individuals can file complaints regarding the operation of non-essential businesses or gatherings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to file a complaint online. You may also call 1-833-789-0470. Businesses that are not in compliance with the Governor’s executive order may be penalized.
• If you believe your employer is in violation of either existing labor laws or recently issued executive orders, please contact the New York State Attorney General’s office at (212) 416-8700 or Labor.Bureau@ag.ny.gov.
Use of Cloth Face Coverings
• The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Recent studies have suggested that Covid-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing or proper hand washing.
• The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face cover should:
• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2020 at 4:47 pm
Genesee has 10 new cases, 2 more in Orleans since yesterday
Orleans and Genesee counties are both seeing a significant jump in confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Orleans has two more new cases today, after six new confirmed cases on Monday. Orleans now is at 17 total cases, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said at a 4 p.m. news briefing.
Genesee County has experienced a bigger increase, with 10 new cases today after 10 on Monday. Genesee is now at 44 total positives.
In Orleans County, both new cases are people under age 65, with one from central Orleans and the other from the eastern end of the county.
Pettit said the Health Department expects to make more information available about the cases, putting them in age brackets by decade. Right now the department only reports if the person is 65 or older or under 65.
Many of the cases are younger adults who are being active in the community, either going to the store frequently, going to work or attending social gatherings.
Pettit said it is imperative that people of all ages stay home as much as possible to stop the spread of what he said is a “prolific” virus, capable of easily passing from one person to another.
Of the two new cases in Orleans, one person was already under quarantine after being a known contact with someone who tested positive, while the other didn’t have a known connection to someone with the virus.
Of the 10 new cases in Genesee County, 7 are under age 65 in the central part of the county and 3 are under 65 in eastern Genesee.
All 10 of the new positives are people who were under precautionary or mandatory quarantine. They had known connections with others who had Covid-19.
Of the 44 cases in Genesee, 10 people have recovered from the illness and while four of the 17 in Orleans are considered to be recovered.
Click here to see a two-county map with more details about the cases and testing in the two counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2020 at 2:08 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported today that 731 people died from Covid-19 in New York on Monday, bringing the total deaths in NY from the disease to 5,489 in about a month.
The 731 deaths is the most in a single day in the state from the coronavirus.
“That is a lot of pain for many New Yorkers and they are in our thoughts and prayers,” the governor said today at his daily news conference.
The 731 deaths follow 599 on April 5, 594 on April 4, 630 on April 3, and 562 on April 2.
The governor shared some good news: the number of new hospitalizations is decreasing, from 1,032 on Friday to 574 on Saturday, 358 on Sunday and 656 on Monday. He expects the number of Covid-19 deaths will also start to decline with the new hospitalizations going down.
But Cuomo said that will depend upon New Yorkers being vigilant with social distancing, washing their hands frequently and staying home as much as possible.
The state also reported 8,147 new confirmed cases of the virus on Monday, bringing the state-wide total to 138,836 cases, which is by far the most cases of any state in the country. New Jersey is second at 41,090 and Michigan is third at 17,130. There are 374,371 cases in the United States.
The governor has extended school closures until April 29, and nonessential businesses also need to remain closed until at least that day.
The governor urged people to adhere to social distancing guidelines. He said the state’s closures and social distancing policies seem to be working in flattening the curve.
“I know it’s been a frustrating 37 days,” he said. “But it’s only been 37 days on the other hand. I know it feels like a lifetime. It’s been so disruptive, so abrupt, so frightening, so disorienting. This is like Groundhog Day living through this bizarre reality that we’re in.”
The State Education Department announced the cancellation of the June 2020 administration of Regents Exams and today released guidance on modifications to requirements for students to graduate and earn their high school diplomas, credentials and endorsements.
In addition, due to the school closures related to COVID-19, the Department delayed the rollout of state assessments aligned to the grades 3-8 Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for one year, to spring 2022. Similarly, the alignment of state assessments to the New York P-12 Science Learning Standards will begin in spring 2023. Further, the state extended its current Grades 3-8 ELA and Math Testing contract by one year.
“In times of crisis difficult decisions must be made and the Board of Regents knows these are ultimately the right ones for New York’s students,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “We are putting the safety of children, families and educators first, while ensuring that the hard work done by our students and teachers is honored. These are extraordinary decisions for an unprecedented time, and we thank our school communities for their support and continuing dedication during the statewide school closure.”
Regents Exams and Diploma Requirements
The COVID-19 emergency has evolved rapidly, leading to uncertainty as to when regular in-school classroom instruction will be able to resume throughout the state and whether students will be adequately prepared to take the Regents examinations. As a result, the Board of Regents and Department have cancelled the June 2020 administration of the NYS High School Regents Examination Program.
Because of this, the Department has modified the requirements that students must meet in order to earn high school diplomas, credentials, and endorsements. These modifications apply to all students enrolled in grades 7-12 during the 2019-20 school year who were intending to participate in one or more of the June 2020 Regents Examinations.
Students who, during the June 2020 examination period would have taken one or more Regents examinations, will be exempted from passing the assessments in order to be issued a diploma. To qualify for the exemption, students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
• The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
• The student is in grade 7, is enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have passed such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
• The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and has failed to earn credit by the end of the school year. Such student returns for summer instruction to make up the failed course and earn the course credit and is subsequently granted diploma credit in August 2020; or
• The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to an applicable Regents examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated Regents examination but intended to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score.
NYSED Guidance issued on March 13, 2020 outlined the requirements for granting diploma credit for courses interrupted by the COVID-19 closures.
Elementary-and Intermediate-Level State Assessment Contract Extended
In March, the Department made the unprecedented decision to suspend administration of the Grades 3-8 ELA and Math assessments for the remainder of this school year, due to the statewide closure of schools related to COVID-19.
At the time of this decision, the state assessments were prepared and ready to be administered. To make use of these assessments that were developed by New York State educators and due to the delay in the timeline for assessments based on NGLS, the Department has extended the state’s current contract with Questar Assessment, Inc.
The Office of the State Comptroller approved an extension of the Questar contract to administer both the Grades 3-8 ELA and Math operational tests and the spring standalone field tests (SAFT), based on these extraordinary circumstances. NYSED has cancelled the current Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new assessment vendor contract and will reissue it at a later date.
NYSED and the Board of Regents remain in continued contact with the Department of Health, the Division of Homeland Security, the Office of Children and Family Services and the Governor’s Office. As the situation has evolved, so have our guidance and resources, which are continually being updated and added to the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 website.
“Every day we see more and more examples of the tireless dedication of educators, administrators and parents to support their students as they continue to learn and work toward a meaningful diploma during the state of emergency and we are grateful to them for their efforts,” Interim Commissioner Tahoe said. “During this time of great uncertainty, the Department has developed this guidance to ensure that students who were on track to graduate this year will have that opportunity.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2020 at 12:56 pm
Photo courtesy of Rochester Regional Health
BATAVIA – Norma Longrod, 94, of Orleans County has been released from a Batavia hospital after beating Covid-19, Rochester Regional Health said today.
Longrod was admitted to United Memorial Medical Center in March. She had fallen and had a fever of 102. She was immediately placed in isolation at the hospital away from other patients.
She took hydroxychloroquine at the Batavia hospital to help in her recovery.
“Somehow she was able to stay strong enough and pull through this,” said Dr. Peter Janes, a hospital at United Memorial. “It’s pretty amazing. She ended up being a pretty resilient lady.”
She is one of the oldest people in Western New York to recover from the coronavirus.
In a video posted by Rochester Regional Health, Longrod thanks the hospital for her care. She urged people to take precautions from the virus.
“They’re crazy if they don’t take it seriously,” she said.
She is now recovering at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.
Click here to see the video about Longrod posted by Rochester Regional Health.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2020 at 10:47 am
Packets of school work, on-line learning while school buildings off limits to students
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: Cafeteria workers at Albion prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for students. From left include Leslie Merrill, Jenn Gonzalez and Kelly Rosato.
ALBION – The school district has served more than 13,000 meals since March 18, and also is doing weekly packets of school work or on-line assignments for students who are home from school.
This is the start of the fourth week of students being out of the school buildings due to health concerns over the coronavirus. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has closed schools in the state until at least April 29.
The cafeteria staff at Albion prepare the meals which can be picked up outside the elementary school or taken to drop site at the Barre Center Presbyterian Church parking lot, Elk’s Club parking lot, Oak Orchard Estates, Lydun Drive Extension – Canal Town Commons and the Carlton Rec Hall.
Two school bus drivers deliver the meals with staff helping at the drop sites.
Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, praised the efforts of the district staff to prepare and distribute so many meals to students. The meals are available free of charge to all students in the district.
The district is providing a bagged lunch with sandwich, fruit, vegetable and milk as well as a breakfast for the next day.
(For more on the program or to sign up, click here. There won’t be any meals distributed next week.)
Albion police officer Chris Goglowski and Kevin Beaumont, assistant elementary school principal, greet students and families picking up meals at the school.
The district has also been keeping students engaged with remote learning. Bonnewell said packets are prepared each week for students in elementary and middle schools. Older students receive assignments on-line.
The district has sent 150 Chromebooks or laptops for students without computers at home. Some students don’t have high-speed internet at home. In that case, students are sent homework. They are also encouraged to use public WiFi outside the school or Hoag Library, or maybe piggyback with permission off a neighbor’s WiFi.
“I certainly want to thank our teachers, our teacher assistants, teacher aides, secretaries and administrators who are making all of that work,” Bonnewell said about the packets prepared at the elementary and middle schools.
ALBION – The school district is accepting applications until May 1 for universal prekindergarten during the 2020-21 school year.
Applications are available by calling the District Office Registrar at 589-2051 or the Elementary School’s main office at 589-2030 to request an application be mailed. Or click here to be directed to the three parts to the application that can be filled out online.
Children are eligible for the Albion UPK program if they are 4 years old on or before December 1, 2020 and if they reside in the Albion Central School District.
There are two sessions each day: AM session (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) and the PM session (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Parents may not choose which session (AM or PM) the child attends.
Parents will be notified by mail in early May of their child’s status for the UPK program.
There are 80 available slots for students. If there are more than 80 applicants, a random lottery will take place. In the event of the need for a lottery, students not “drawn” will be added to a wait list and will be contacted if openings occur during the school year.
LOCKPORT – Niagara County Acting Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced this morning that a corrections officer employed by the Niagara County Correctional Facility has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
The corrections officer, who has been off work for the past two weeks after developing symptoms relating to the virus, is recovering at home.
This is the first employee with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office diagnosed with Covid-19.
The Niagara County Correctional Facility has been proactive in efforts to combat the virus coming into the facility with many steps taken to ensure the safety and health of the inmates and staff. All visitation and programs were halted early in March and screening of all inmates, staff and vendors entering the facility began around the same time.
In addition, all staff have been provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment, including N95 masks. Cleaning has been enhanced in all areas of the facility to follow health department guidelines.
The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Niagara County Health Department to ensure that testing is available to any staff member showing symptoms.
“The safety and health of our staff and inmates is my number one priority,” said Acting Sheriff Filicetti. “I am thankful that our officer is recovering from this virus, and our staff remains diligent in trying to prevent Covid-19 from entering the Niagara County Correctional Facility.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2020 at 10:24 pm
Tonight’s Albion Board of Education was done online through the Zoom. The district also presented the meeting for the public live through YouTube. Top row from left include Mary Leto, assistant superintendent for instruction; Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, Derek Vallese, district business administrator; Second row from top: Board of Education members Chantelle Sacco, Elissa Nesbitt, Margy Brown and David Sidari. Third row from top: Board members Kathy Harling (president), Wayne Wadhams, Greg Boose and Linda Weller. Bottom row: Board member Joyce Riley.
District anticipates some mid-year state aid reductions
ALBION — The Albion Board of Education tonight adopted a $36,841,032 school budget, up 3.62 percent or $1,285,522 from the $35,555,510 in 2019-20. The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,094 in property taxes, the same as in 2019-20.
This is now the 12th time in the past 14 years the school district has either kept taxes flat or reduced them.
“It’s best at this time to try not to hit up the taxpayers for any more money if we don’t have to,” said Derek Vallese, the district’s business administrator.
The budget is usually voted on by the public the third Tuesday in May, but the election has been pushed back to at least June 1. The governor hasn’t given a directive yet on the specific date for the school elections or the village and library elections except to say they will be later than in May. He moved them back due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The school district’s fiscal year starts July 1. That is also when the new terms start for members of the Board of Education. Three spots are up for election.
The district was able to prevent a tax increase after the state was able to maintain its aid (using $650,000 from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act).
Albion also will use money from its fund balance and may dip into some reserves to help stave off a tax increase.
The budget comes with some uncertainty in the state aid. Gov. Cuomo said the state will be forced to look at its revenue during the state’s fiscal year and if revenues are off target the state will likely have to reduce its funding to local governments, including school districts. The first revenue review for the state will be on April 30.
“He is certainly in a difficult position, one we can all understand,” said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent. “We know the numbers, but the governor has been very clear that he will continually to watch the budget and make adjustments as necessary.”
Bonnewell said the district could absorb some drop in state aid because Albion has “a history of putting money away for a rainy day.”
The state aid also includes $250,000 for a Covid response. With students out of school until at least April 29, some students are expected to need academic intervention services next school year to help catch up. The district is expecting it will need to hire more staff to help students after this prolonged time out of school. (The district has been sending home packets of schoolwork and offering other assignments online.)
“We know coming back from this is going to require some extra energy, which means extra resources,” Bonnewell said during the meeting tonight.
The budget also includes funding for a superintendent’s search with Bonnewell to retire on June 30, 2021.
Albion also is budgeting $85,200 for its share of a grant program to replace school doors and add more security cameras. That expense depends on Albion receiving a COPS grant that covers 75 percent of the cost. The Albion Police Department is applying for the grant with the school district paying the local share.
The grant for a maximum project cost of $500,000, which would be a local share of $125,000. The estimated cost for the work would put the Albion share at $85,200.
• BUS PROPOSITION — The budget vote (when it happens) also will include a proposition to spend up to $525,000 from a bus purchase reserve fund for five new busses. That is a $20,000 increase from last year. Vallese said the cost of steel has gone up, increasing the expense for busses.
• HOAG LIBRARY — Voters also will decide a proposition for Hoag Library to receive $713,000 to be collected by the school district. That is down from the $714,920 in 2019-20.
• BOARD OF EDUCATION — The Board of Education election isn’t a simple matter. The district sought advice from its attorney and the New York State School Boards Association. There are two expired terms that are currently filled by Greg Boose and Joyce Riley who were appointed in July and took the oath of office on Aug. 5. They are filling less than a year of the terms vacated by Steve LaLonde and Marie Snyder.
The election includes those two seats as well as a full five-year term for a seat currently filled by Chantelle Sacco.
The candidate with the most votes will serve immediately following the election until June 30, 2025. The candidate with the second most votes will serve from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025. The candidate with the third most votes will serve immediately following the election until June 30, 2022.
Petitions for candidates will be available at the district office.
