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WELCOME TO THE SIDNEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE!
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Sidney’s reputation as one of the finest schools in our region stems from many factors. High academic achievement is realized through an excellent teaching staff and innovative programs such as 100 Book Challenge throughout our elementary grades. At the middle school and high school levels, students have a wide range of course offerings from languages to art and music. Our science programs have repeatedly been recognized nationally and include a mobile science laboratory and planetarium. We even broadcast to the community from our own TV station.
WELCOME TO THE SIDNEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE!
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Budget Presentations Scheduled:
Tuesday, March 9, 7:00PM
Board of Education Meeting
High School Library
Thursday, March 11, 7:00PM
Community Forum
High School Cafeteria
CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION
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*Health insurance costs for our employees have risen by 26%
*Employee Retirement System district contributions have risen by 59%
Health and Wellness
Please visit the District Parent page for information on Health and Wellness.
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Tuesday, March 9, 7:00PM
Board of Education Meeting
High School Library
Thursday, March 11, 7:00PM
Community Forum
High School Cafeteria
CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION
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Superintendent’s Budget Message to the Community
Dear Community Residents,
We continue to work on the development of the 2010-2011 school budget, and I feel it is important to gather as much information as possible from our residents as we make some very difficult decisions. The situation in Albany remains extremely dire and unstable, so we must move forward with what the Governor proposed in his Executive Budget. Within his proposal, our State Aid has been reduced substantially rather than the usual increase. This year, Governor Paterson’s budget included a “Gap Elimination Adjustment” that deducted $769,946 from our State Aid projections.
We have also now received more specific information on the non-negotiable district costs for next year. Here are some major changes that have seriously impacted our budget:
*Health insurance costs for our employees have risen by 26%
*Employee Retirement System district contributions have risen by 59%
*Teacher Retirement system district contributions have risen by 25%
As we assess where we are at this point in time with an initial budget, we have determined that our initial budget with these factors included would result in a tax levy increase of over 29%. Therefore, we feel strongly that we have to make significant reductions to the budget to present a tax levy that taxpayers can support. As a result, it appears that we will have to make reductions that exceed $1,700,000 to bring the tax levy down to a reasonable level.
An initial presentation, A First Look at the Budget, will be made at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 9. I will also offer the same presentation for community at 7:00PM on Thursday, March 11, in the high school cafeteria. My presentation will be taped and shown on STV, as well. I will also be presenting our progress on the budget development at future Board of Education meetings scheduled for Tuesday, March 23, and Tuesday, April 13 (7:00PM in the high school library). You are invited to attend these meetings.
Most importantly, attached is a survey that we would like you to complete as we struggle with very difficult decisions. These surveys are also being mailed to district residents. Please take a moment to complete this survey and return it to the District Office. We sincerely appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Sandra M. Cooper, Superintendent of Schools
_____________________Health and Wellness
Please visit the District Parent page for information on Health and Wellness.
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Information on H1N1 Influenza
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Know What to Do About the Flu |
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- For more information, visit www.flu.gov
- Center for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
- New York Department of Health - www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/index.htm
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Information on your Sidney Central School taxes is now available online! Please visit this website for more information:
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are the school flags being flown at half-staff so often?
Why are the school flags being flown at half-staff so often?
Governor Paterson has implemented a policy whereby the flags on all State buildings are to be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our State's soldiers who are killed in action. He notifies public agencies of the soldier's name and various other details, as well as signifying a specific date for the flag to be lowered. In the future, we will post these notices on the district website to inform residents.
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, February 1, in honor of a Marine from Hornell who died in Afghanistan on January 24.
Marine Lance Corporal Zachary Smith died while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, which is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"I join with all New Yorkers in expressing our sympathy to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Smith, as well as the Marines who served with him," Governor Paterson said. "This fine young man served this nation with honor and distinction. We will mourn his passing but we will honor his service to the United States of America and the Marine Corps."
Governor Paterson has directed that flags on all State buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our State's service members who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.
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Effective: Beginning of Business, Monday, February 1, 2010
Return to Full Staff: Sunset, Monday, February 1, 2010
This notice is for Monday, February 1:
GOVERNOR PATERSON DIRECTS FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF
GOVERNOR PATERSON DIRECTS FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF
Marine Lance Corporal Zachary Smith died while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, which is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"I join with all New Yorkers in expressing our sympathy to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Smith, as well as the Marines who served with him," Governor Paterson said. "This fine young man served this nation with honor and distinction. We will mourn his passing but we will honor his service to the United States of America and the Marine Corps."
Governor Paterson has directed that flags on all State buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our State's service members who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.
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Effective: Beginning of Business, Monday, February 1, 2010
Return to Full Staff: Sunset, Monday, February 1, 2010
Learning About the Sidney Central School District...
The Sidney Central School District is located in the heart of New York State’s western Catskill Mountains. It includes the towns of Sidney, Franklin, Masonville, Sidney Center, Unadilla, Walton and the Village of Sidney.
Sidney’s reputation as one of the finest schools in our region stems from many factors. High academic achievement is realized through an excellent teaching staff and innovative programs such as 100 Book Challenge throughout our elementary grades. At the middle school and high school levels, students have a wide range of course offerings from languages to art and music. Our science programs have repeatedly been recognized nationally and include a mobile science laboratory and planetarium. We even broadcast to the community from our own TV station.
Our athletic programs have produced many championship teams and outstanding athletes in football, baseball, basketball, track, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, field hockey, and other sports.
Congratulations to our 2008-2009 Girls' Varsity Volleyball Team - MAC Champions and Section IV Champions!!
Learn more about the Sidney Central School District
March 2008 District Newsletter
August 2009 District Newsletter
