An Oakfield-Alabama coach has been relieved of all coaching responsibilities over alleged inappropriate conduct with a student, according to a letter Superintendent John Fisgus sent to district parents on Thursday.
The Sheriff's Office is investigating the allegations, according to the letter.
The person has been banned from all district property and prohibited from any contact with students or staff.
"Please note that the district does not employ this coach in any capacity beyond the coaching role," Fisgus wrote.
He asked that anyone with information relevant to the investigation contact the Sheriff's Office.
"The district remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all students," Fisgus said.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C-Batavia) is holding his Annual New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge to help encourage good reading habits and continued learning this summer. This year's theme is “Color Our World,” in cooperation with Summer Reading at New York Libraries. All students in grades K through 7 living in the 139th Assembly District during the 2024-2025 school year are eligible.
Students who pledge and complete reading for at least 15 minutes each day for at least 40 days during the months of July and August will be presented a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate from Hawley.
“I’m excited to announce this challenge for the kids in our communities,” Hawley said, “Reading is an incredibly important part of any child’s education, and I hope this challenge will instill the value of learning in them. I know this is a great opportunity for our kids, and it will be a great way to kick off the summer!”
Any parents and guardians who would like to enroll their child in the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge may fill out the following registration form: https://forms.gle/1zttcs7m6Y8ioGS57.
You can watch Assemblyman Hawley’s full video announcement here.
The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District is facing a unique challenge—convincing voters to pass a 2025-26 school budget that requires a tax cap override.
District officials say a tax cap override, without difficult spending cuts, is unavoidable due to the ongoing economic development in the community.
To avoid a tax cap override, the district would need to reduce the tax levy under the state’s tax complicated cap formula, which requires school districts to account for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from new business projects under development in the community.
The tax cap levy mark under the formula for the district this budget year is -2.61%.
The proposed budget is $25,555,345, representing a $533,000 increase from the current year’s adopted budget. The proposed levy is $5,839,050, or $142,416 over the current levy.
The budget vote on May 21 failed, and board members shared during Monday night’s budget hearing that feedback from district voters indicated there was confusion over spending, the need for the override, school bus expenses, and capital project spending.
The district is presenting the same budget proposal to voters, which some residents find confusing, according to a couple of speakers.
There were about 20 residents, plus board members, in the audience for the hearing, which Board President Justin Staebell said was the biggest turnout he's seen for a school district budget meeting.
Laura Kowalczyk, business administrator, explained the board’s reasoning, “There was a lot of communication between the residents, between the board, and between the staff, to answer a lot of questions and discuss these things. And the conclusion was that we should, with additional information and having answered questions, we should present the same budget to the voters the second time, with clarifications being made.”
The budget includes the purchase of three diesel buses—a full-size bus, a small bus with a wheelchair lift, and another small bus—following the district’s replacement cycle.
“These are all diesel buses, and these will be aided at 90% over the next five years,” Kowalczyk said.
The district is also preparing for the state’s coming electric bus mandate.
Alabama resident Jessica Gang had several questions during the meeting. She wanted to understand better what was driving the board's decision to come back with essentially the same budget as the one that had been voted down.
"I do want my kids to have a wonderful education, but I don't understand how we got here," Gang said. "It felt like you guys said you're going to have to keep increasing taxes for the foreseeable future, so I guess I just wanted to know there are some changes on the horizon," Gang said.
Board member Malorie Benjamin empathized with Gang.
“I agree. I don’t want my taxes to go up. I don’t want to pay anymore, but at the end of the day, I also like all the options our kids are afforded here as a community, we have a lot of things that most rural school districts don’t have and a lot of opportunities for kids to be involved, and I don’t want to see any of those go away,” Benjamin said.
At the heart of the district's tax levy challenge is the influx of projects coming into WNY STAMP, particularly this year's projects, such as Edward's Vacuum, and how these projects complicate the state’s tax cap formula.
“The reason that our tax cap is negative this going into next school year is that we have a PILOT payment from them that is coming on our rolls," said Superintendent John Fisgus. "So if you have that tax formula, you know formula here, you’ll see that the prior year tax levy number is always the first number that goes into this formula, and then there’s a growth factor that’s set. And then the next number is you add on the prior year's PILOT payments. So that’s what we have this year.”
Fisgus also addressed alternatives to PILOTs, such as educational contribution agreements (ECAs), which provide revenue that does not count against the tax levy and offer more flexibility in budgeting.
“One of the things, too, that school districts are getting into are these ECAs, these educational contribution agreements, instead of PILOT payments," he said. "When PILOT payments come on for school districts, it does have a negative tax impact on your tax levy. So, receiving that money really gives us more freedom to use it for what we need it for."
The district aims to negotiate Economic Development Agreements (ECAs) with companies relocating to the area, such as a proposed data center for WNY STAMP in the town of Alabama.
If the budget does not receive at least 60 percent approval, the district must adopt a contingency budget. Kowalczyk said,
“If this proposed budget doesn’t pass, the board will adopt a contingent budget, and there are parameters that go into what contingent expenses are and are not. So, all non-contingent expenses will have to be removed from this budget. So that includes equipment, our bus purchases, our transfer to capital, and our capital outlay expense. The district can also not allow the free use of facilities, so we cannot incur any costs for outside organizations to use the facilities.”
Fisgus said the district is proud to provide its facilities for community groups to use during non-school hours, and that use has increased over the years. If that budget fails, there will be a radical change for the community.
“It seems like this place is now open -- we’re getting 24/7 coverage, which includes 12–14 hours on a Saturday and 12–14 hours on a Sunday," Fisgus said. Obviously, we need to staff, to have people here. We just can’t incur those costs when you know our custodial or maintenance crew are working overtime and those additional hours.”
Community groups would likely be required, in that case, to pay a user fee, Fisgus said.
"We will have to go back and review our facilities use fee. I want to say they’re $50 an hour," Fisgus said. "We’re going to have to go back and make sure that we are not incurring any costs moving forward when an outside organization uses our facilities.”
Salaries and benefits account for approximately 63 percent of the budget, with other categories including debt service, BOCES, shared services, and capital outlay. The district plans to use $738,000 of appropriated fund balance and $470,470 of reserves.
Fisgus emphasized that there is no relationship at all between the proposed budget and the capital improvement project approved by voters last year, except for the planned transfer to capital.
“This capital project is already taken care of. It’s already been approved," Fisgus said. "But this work is going to continue and be completed by the end of next fall. Whether this budget is approved or not. It’s really two separate buckets. People get confused a little bit about this project being in the budget.”
In order to avoid spending peaks and valleys, Fisgus said it is important to keep finances level year to year, especially as it relates to debt service.
“As far as the funding goes, we have debt service falling off from the last project, and we have this transfer to capital coming on with this project, which is part of our budget," Fisgus said. "What we’re doing is we’re keeping it a flat line. So, you don’t want to see the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows, of debt service falling off and new expenses. So it’s very systematic in that we keep everything at a level pace.”
The district’s history shows that proposed tax levy increases have typically stayed below the tax cap calculation in recent years. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining the budget to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid future financial issues.
“So cutting that stuff out gets you through this year, keeps you at zero percent, but next year you’re going to have to deal with it—you can’t just keep pushing off the buses," Staebell said. "Eventually, you’ve got to replace them. If you don’t start to get the additional revenue, then you have to make more of the long-term cuts to make the budget work. That’s where we’re looking at the long term—what can we do to trim and make those lasting cuts that are sustainable in the district? The additional revenue in this budget is what helps keep things going as we continue to work through and figure out what we can cut long term.”
Benjamin said the board received a good deal of useful feedback from community members in a survey the district took after the budget vote failed, and that factored into how the board approached representing the budget to voters.
“I think the reason for part of why we made that decision collectively was related to the fact that we heard the feedback we took into account," Benjamin said. "It’s not perfect, right? Because we didn’t hear from every single voter in the community, but it was some level of information. What we found was that there was a lot of misinformation about this particular budget. So I think what we were trying to focus on was whether it was an educational failure on our part to give people the information so that they can make an informed decision."
The survey will help inform the board going forward, she said.
"I think there’s a lot in that survey that we learned that we’re trying to make action on at this point in time, but none of that was things we could do in a week’s time to actually make an impact the longer term things that we need to address, and I think we’re all committed to actively taking action on those things,” Benjamin said.
Board member Maria Thompson said the board has put a lot of time and thought into the budget, and the community has been in constant communication, providing them with feedback to consider.
“We have put in a considerable amount of time here and on the weekends," Thompson said. "I was at a tournament in Olean, coaching my daughter’s softball team. I’m on third base coaching, and I’m texting people. They’re asking questions. So I mean, again, maybe it’s just, you know, lip service at this point, but I promise you, we have heard and we it’s not going to stop on June 17, at 8:01 p.m., this is something that we are going to be working diligently towards, not just for this budget, but for future budgets as well. We’ve got a lot of feedback, and we appreciate the community for coming forward and doing that.”
The budget revote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Middle High Community Room.
Oakfield-Alabama Central School District will present its 2025-26 budget to voters again on June 17 following the defeat of an initial proposal in May, after hearing the call from residents for greater transparency in the budget process, officials say.
District officials said community members raised concerns about the lack of information and clarity surrounding the original budget, which failed to secure enough support at the polls.
In response, the Board of Education and administration held budget workshops and special meetings on May 27 and May 30 to engage with residents, answer questions, and gather feedback.
Based on that input, the Board voted to bring the same budget proposal back to voters. The $25,555,345 plan represents a 2.13% increase from the current year and includes funding for three new diesel-powered buses, facility maintenance, and expanded support for special education, substitute teaching, textbooks, athletics, career and technical education, and mental health counseling.
The district will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6 p.m. Monday in the Middle/High School auditorium. A budget newsletter with a Q&A section will be sent to all district residents. Additionally, recordings of recent budget meetings are available on the district's website.
If the proposal does not receive at least 60% voter approval, state law requires the district to adopt a contingent budget. That would mean $954,000 in cuts, affecting bus and equipment purchases, as well as educational and extracurricular programs, and school staffing. Use of school facilities by outside groups would also be restricted.
"Our valued educational and extracurricular programs, along with school personnel, may also face reductions," said Superintendent John Fisgus and Board President Justin Staebell in a letter to residents. "Managing the use of facilities by outside organizations will be challenging, as a contingent budget restricts such usage that may incur costs for the district."
Voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 17 in the Middle/High School library.
District leaders encouraged residents to attend the hearing and reach out with questions or feedback.
“We care deeply about our students, our schools, our programs, and our community,” the letter stated. “Together, we can achieve our shared educational goals by collaborating for a better OA.”
Faces are Molly Osterman’s favorite subject. The Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School senior said she is drawn to the intricate details of a face, especially eyes and noses, and finds endless inspiration in capturing their uniqueness.
“I love faces. They're not necessarily the easiest to draw, but I think that the intricate details of a face -- I'm just really passionate about them," Osterman said during Le Roy's annual student art show in the auditorium on Wednesday evening. "I love drawing eyes specifically. And I love noses. I love any piece of art I can get with a nose. It’s definitely like the centerpiece of it.”
Osterman’s work was on display as one of the seniors getting spotlighted, among younger students. This year, Osterman completed 19 pieces.
Art teacher Antonio Koukides said he has watched Osterman’s growth since her sophomore year.
“I met Molly in her sophomore year coming into art, and she definitely wasn’t as confident as she is now," Koukides said. "Every project, I feel like she—there was a lot of uncertainty about, can I do this? Can I do it? I don’t like this. I want to move forward. And I think that in her junior year, she started to see that she had more potential. I kept pushing her into different things in this senior year. I mean, 19 pieces of art is pretty amazing for a senior year -- and confidently, 19 pieces of art with little to no questions or guidance. She’s more of a teacher in her own self, so what an example for the other kids. That’s what I say. It’s been awesome.”
For Osterman, art is more than a hobby—it’s an escape from the pressures of school and a source of calm.
“Art-wise, I think it’s just a really great escape. Whenever I’m stressed, I don’t even need any inspiration," Osterman said. "It’s nice to be able to go to something after a long day of being in classes and being stressed out by all the homework I have, and just be able to do something that I enjoy so much, and I can actually just be free from everything else and not think about it.”
She credits her art teachers for helping her gain confidence and develop her skills.
“Everything about it is relaxing, because I’m just feeling calm, and I can listen to music whenever I’m doing art," she said. "Mr. Koukides is such an amazing teacher. He makes me feel like I actually know what I’m doing, and he’s good at explaining what I should do to make my artwork better. So I just feel comfortable.”
Osterman said her favorite artist is Da Vinci, and much of her work this year was inspired by Renaissance paintings.
She plans to minor in art while majoring in political science at Le Moyne College, then attend law school at Syracuse University.
“I would say that’s probably the dream—I want to stick with art my entire life,” she said. “It’s just amazing to have a hobby that you’re actually good at and you can feel passionate about, and it’s not like a hobby where I get stressed over it or I’m upset over it, I actually can enjoy it 24/7 and not worry about anything.”
Koukides said Osterman’s interest in Renaissance art sets her apart.
“I don't get many seniors that get turned on by Renaissance—not often, but I do think more of them research things on their own than people realize," Koukides said. "It’s just a style they see, then they start research.”
Notre-Dame High School's Class of 2025 graduated 33 students. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Thirty-three members of Notre-Dame High School’s Class of 2025 received their diplomas during a commencement ceremony held Sunday at Resurrection Parish.
Interim Principal Julia Rogers served as Master of Ceremonies and presented special recognition awards to outstanding students. The senior class gift was presented by Chance King and Gabe Mileham.
Anna Panepento was named valedictorian, while Rocco Sprague earned the title of salutatorian.
Tracy Page presented the candidates for graduation, and Lindsay Warner and Julia Rogers conferred diplomas.
The Genesee County Youth Bureau is now accepting applications for Genesee Youth Lead. This eight-month program focuses on developing leadership skills through thoughtful sessions and hands-on experiences. Each session is focused on a specific topic, which varies year to year depending on the interest of the youth.
Topics include:
Agriculture
Arts and Culture
Business
Community Service
Emergency Preparedness
Government
Health and Human Services
Job Readiness Training
Law Enforcement
Leadership Opportunities
Team Building
Tourism
The Youth Lead program begins in October 2025 and ends in May 2026. Sessions are held the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at GVEP (BOCES), except for in March. Session dates are October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 16, April 8, and May 13.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic school year
Must attend school in Genesee County
Must complete an application, provide supplemental letters, and complete an interview with Youth Bureau staff
Must be able to make up any and all missed schoolwork
Applications are due to the Youth Bureau no later than Wednesday, September 1. Please email completed applications and letters to Genesee.youthbureau@dfa.state.ny.us or mail documents to Genesee County Youth Bureau, 5130 East Main Street Batavia.
Additional information can be found at https://shorturl.at/DLLnA. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments.
Superintendent Merritt Holly speaks to the Le Roy Central School District Board of Trustees during a budgt public hearing on Tuesday at Wolcott School. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Le Roy Central School District is bracing for difficult financial decisions as it asks voters to approve a $32,035,588 budget for the 2025-26 school year.
Spending is projected to increase 3.18%, or $986,768.
Superintendent Merritt Holly, speaking Tuesday night at a public hearing on the proposed budget in the Wolcott School auditorium, outlined a budget shaped by rising costs, staff reductions, and heavy reliance on state funding.
The district’s proposed tax levy is $10,800,650, an increase of 1.25%, keeping Le Roy under the state’s tax cap. However, the district is feeling the squeeze from inflation, escalating health insurance premiums, and contractual obligations, including a new teacher contract and higher special education expenses.
Holly noted, as he did in the district's budget newsletter, the district has no say in or control over property tax assessments.
The estimated tax rates for the municipalities that overlap with the district:
Bergen and Pavilion, $15.76
Caledonia, $16.77
Le Roy, $16.95
Stafford, $17.51
One of the most significant impacts: staffing. Six retirements are expected, but only two positions will be replaced. This is a shift from previous years, when Le Roy was able to add staff while neighboring districts made cuts.
“The impact is being felt most at Wolcott Street School, where we're not replacing four of six retirees," Holly said. "It will directly affect students and staff.”
Enrollment is currently 1,103 students, down 114 students since 2016. Enrollment affects the district's share of state aid.
"When you look at the Jr./Sr. high school, we have one of our smaller senior classes that we've had in a while, at least in my time," Holly said.
There are 81 seniors.
The district is reliant on state aid. Holly said 63% of Le Roy’s budget comes from Albany, far more than in wealthier suburban districts.
“We’re not like the Monroe County schools that can tap into their tax base to close gaps,” Holly said. “We rely heavily on state aid, and any changes at the state or federal level could have a big impact here.”
Holly noted, as he did with The Batavian in March, that there are 152 unfunded state mandates, including the looming requirement for electric school buses and costly special education placements, as well as ongoing budget pressures. Inflation has also hit utility costs and other essentials.
“We’re all competing for the same teachers, and we’re all feeling the pinch from rising costs,” he said.
The superintendent also warned of federal uncertainty, noting that political debates in Washington could threaten funding streams like Title 1, which supports students from low-income families.
“We can’t sit and worry about politics, but we have to plan and prepare for whatever comes,” Holly said.
Despite these fiscal challenges, the district has historically enjoyed strong community backing for its budgets, the superintendent noted. This year’s ballot also includes a $379,000 proposition for the Woodward Memorial Library and the uncontested re-election of two Board of Education members.
The Jerome Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Martha M. Spinnegan Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The award is given in memory of the late Martha M. Spinnegan, who was a Foundation Trustee for over 30 years and served as the Foundation’s administrator for 15 years.
Martha contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County, serving as Director of the Richmond Memorial Library for 34 years. She was active in community organizations such as the Rotary Club of Batavia, Go Art, and the Children’s Home Board.
The nursing scholarship is an annual $1000 grant for four years, for a total of $4000, given to a deserving Senior graduating from a Genesee County School who intends to pursue a career in Nursing.
The Jerome Foundation also sponsors the William F. Brown Jr. Scholarship, which is given to a deserving Senior graduating from a Genesee County School who intends to pursue a career in journalism, communication, public relations or marketing.
Applications for these scholarships have been sent to area High School Counselors or can be found at thejeromefoundation.org. Applications are due Friday, May 9, and can be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia. If further information is needed, contact Chris Fix at thejeromefoundation@gmail.com.
Jamie Clark, assistant principal and athletic director at Le Roy Jr/Sr High School, has been named the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) Region 12 Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year.
"What a great honor for all the work that Jamie does for our students each and every day," said Superintendent Merritt Holly. "Mr. Clark is student-centered and always prioritizes the success and well-being of every learner."
"Mr. Clark continually demonstrates a positive attitude and team-oriented approach, and his ability to connect with stakeholders and willingness to approach any challenging situation have helped contribute to the success of the Le Roy Central School District," said Dr. David Russell, principal at the high school.
Each year, SAANYS honors exceptional New York State administrators with a state awards program in their honor. This program was established to recognize educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have contributed exceptionally to the educational process.
Clark will be honored on Monday, May 5 at a SAANYS event in Cheektowaga.
On Thursday morning, officials with the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District celebrated the start of construction on the district's new $23 million capital improvement project.
The lead project is a new football/soccer/track stadium.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the residents of Alabama and Oakfield, as well as the Board of Education, for their steadfast support in making the groundbreaking of our new football, soccer, and track stadium a reality. This exciting new capital project will create enhanced opportunities for our students and community for years to come, and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without your dedication and collaboration. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our future!
Additionally, we extend a special thank you to our architects, SEI Design Group, for partnering with us on our second Capital Project over the past six years and to LeChase, our Project Construction Managers, for their hard work and dedication to OA in bringing this vision to life!
GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare is building momentum for its third annual hands-on career exploration event for students to experience healthcare careers.
More than 600 students from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties will take part in the event, held at Genesee Community College on March 17. Students will learn first-hand about exciting career opportunities in the healthcare sector by meeting representatives and professionals from a variety of healthcare organizations, careers, and training programs.
“The support of our regional sponsors play an integral role in the success of GLOW With Your Hands,” said Angela Grouse, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “We ask for your help in motivating the future leaders of our community to these impactful careers.”
“Since 2019, GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing and Healthcare have welcomed over 5,000 local students, educating them about the abundant local opportunities while providing businesses an interactive event to engage with those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare,” said Karyn Winters, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “By supporting this year’s event, our sponsors grow real opportunities for our students.”
Sponsorships for the March 17 event are available at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000), and Bronze ($500) levels.
For more information about GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare sponsorship, please visit https://www.glowwithyourhands.com/healthcare-sponsors-and-vendors.
The School Library Systems Association of New York, in collaboration with leading experts in education and artificial intelligence, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking AI Scope and Sequence. Developed as part of the LibraryReady.AI project, with funding from the Allison-Rosen Foundation, this resource provides a dynamic framework for educators to guide PreK-12 students in understanding and engaging with artificial intelligence technologies.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the world, this curriculum aims to empower students with essential skills in AI literacy, critical thinking, and information seeking practices. It outlines a comprehensive approach across four core strands: Why AI, How AI Works, AI in Society, and AI in Practice. These themes integrate computer science, media literacy, and information fluency, providing a broader approach to the topic. The learning concepts are aligned with New York State educational standards in computer science and library skills. Priority concepts for each grade band offer a way for schools to start exploring AI in the classroom or school library.
Dr. Natalie Bazarova, a project advisor and AI expert from Cornell University, highlights the importance of the initiative: "As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it is essential for students to understand how it works, its societal impacts, and how to use AI tools safely and responsibly. These technologies are now a part of our everyday lives, making it important to learn about AI in the context of real-world applications. New tools present both risks and opportunities, and combining AI literacy with critical thinking and information literacy will empower young people to be more adept at using AI technologies in mindful and productive ways."
Curriculum Highlights:
Grade-Specific Concepts: Each grade band, from PreK to high school, explores AI through age-appropriate topics, ranging from recognizing smart tools to critically assessing algorithmic bias.
Ethical Exploration: Students examine key issues, including data privacy, safety, and AI's impact on the workforce and environment.
Real-World Applications: Lessons connect AI learning to tangible examples like chatbots, recommendation systems, and self-driving cars, making abstract concepts relatable.
Future-Focused Learning: Students are encouraged to imagine and evaluate the possible uses of AI, fostering creativity and innovation.
The curriculum's development was made possible in part by the Allison-Rosen Foundation and driven by an interdisciplinary team of educators and AI specialists, including Dr. Bazarova and Dr. Qian Yang of Cornell University.
Project Lead Dr. Christopher Harris, Director of the School Library System for Genesee Valley BOCES, emphasized the program’s transformative potential, stating "This initiative equips educators and librarians with the tools they need to introduce AI literacy effectively. By providing students with the skills to navigate an AI-driven world, we are preparing the next generation to be informed and ethical digital citizens. It is important that schools teach not just with AI, but about AI. We cannot abdicate our responsibility to prepare students for an AI-driven future."
Granges throughout NYS support FFA. Each local FFA chapter received $600 from Genesee County Pomona Grange to use toward their chapter programs and events. Photo of (from left to right): Joan Phelps, President of Genesee County Pomona Grange #10; Jeffrey Parnapy, Byron-Bergen Central School FFA Advisor; Tracey Dahlhaus, Elba Central School FFA Advisor; Maggie Winspear, Elba FFA; Bing Zuber, Elba FFA; Eli Williams, Oakfield-Alabama FFA; Amora Mabon, Oakfield-Alabama FFA; Todd Hofheins, Oakfield-Alabama Central School FFA Advisor, and Earl Roth, Treasurer of Genesee County Pomona Grange #10. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
At the recent meeting of Genesee County Pomona Grange, FFA Chapter advisors and officers from area schools in Genesee County were present. Each presented the program offered in their respective school district.
Jeff Parnapy teaches Agriculture and Home Economics at Byron-Bergen. Forty-five students are members of the High School FFA Chapter. Many of the students will be competing at the upcoming National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN late October.
The Ag Mechanics Team placed first in NYS, the Poultry Evaluation Team placed second in NYS and sixth place at the Big E, the Horticulture/Vegetable ID Team placed first in NYS, and Taylor Lundfelt placed sixth in the Individual category. Byron-Bergen will be well represented at the National competition. The Columbus Day Apple Cider Sale, the Spring Strawberry Sale, and the Career Speaking Contest are annual events at Byron-Bergen.
Tracey Dahlhaus is in her sixth year at Elba teaching Agriculture to Middle & HS students. Fifty students belong to the FFA chapter. Elementary Ag classes are taught by the STEM teacher. Two years ago, Elba’s Dairy Judging Team competed at National. This year Maggie Winspear will compete in the National Prepared Speech competition as the NYS first place winner. Her topic was researched and her speech on “Reintroducing Whole Milk into the School Lunch Program” was presented to those present. Elba students participate in the Ag Explore Program each year. Bing Zuber and Maggie Winspear represented the Elba chapter.
Todd Hofheins, Agriculture teacher and FFA Oakfield-Alabama advisor attended with students, Eli Williams & Amora Mabon to talk about their program. A very busy chapter at Oakfield-Alabama has seen its membership double to 100 students. There is a barn on the school property that houses steers and pigs, cared for by the students. Last year, 1,200 students attended Glow with Your Hands to see O-A students present the NYS Maple Program. This past summer, the Welding Contest was held at the Genesee County Fair under the leadership of Todd Hofheins and his Oakfield-Alabama chapter. A second Agriculture teacher has joined Oakfield-Alabama this year, teaching Grades 6-8.
Pavilion FFA will share its program on November 4 at its monthly Board of Education meeting. Kylie DeBerardinis is the Pavilion FFA advisor.
Each of the chapters received a $600 check from Genesee County Pomona Grange to further their program. We are certainly PROUD of these FUTURE FARMERS and wish them well at the 2024 National FFA Convention.
If interested in joining FFA, contact your school advisor or officers. If interested in joining the Grange, contact Joan Phelps at 585-762-8503.
With students back in school this month, public health leaders from Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties (TF-GOW) say it's important to be aware of the risks of vaping, as well as a new nicotine product called nicotine pouches. Many users say they’re a safer way to use nicotine, but that is not the case.
“We’ve been working with schools and communities the last several years cracking down on vaping, but there’s another addictive nicotine product gaining popularity among teens: oral nicotine pouches,” says Brittany Bozzer, Reality Check Youth Outreach Coordinator for Tobacco-Free GOW.
According to Bozzer, the pouches are smokeless, and teens tuck them into their upper lips—making them harder to detect. They are sold in small containers under different brand names, including Zyn, Velo, Rogue, and On!, and come in a variety of youth-friendly flavors including mint, fruit, menthol, coffee, and cinnamon.
How much nicotine is in oral nicotine pouches?
Nicotine concentrations differ across oral nicotine brands. In the United States.
Zyn (the most popular brand) is sold in 3 and 6 mg.
Velo is sold in 2,4 and 7mg.
On! is sold in 1.5, 2, 3.5, 4 and 8mg.
On! Plus offers nicotine strengths of 6, 9 and 12mg.
Youth can get nicotine pouches online that contain up to 17mg per pouch.
2024 Findings on Youth Tobacco Use: Youth vaping less
Findings showed that there was a significant drop in the number of U.S. middle and high school students who reported current (past 30 days) e-cigarette use – a decrease from 2.13 million (7.7%) youth in 2023 to 1.63 million (5.9%) youth in 2024.
Evidence shows that as e-cigarette products have faced federal flavor restrictions recently, high school students are vaping less. But experts at Tobacco-Free GOW are concerned that as kids move away from vapes, they may move toward nicotine pouches because they have appealing flavors.
“My tobacco control colleagues across New York State and I have seen different kinds of tobacco and nicotine products rise in popularity all the time, but we’ve learned over the years what works,” says Bozzer. “We're very concerned that the industry continues to find new products, new ways to addict our kids, and we’ll keep focusing on Zyn as well as youth vaping.”
More on nicotine pouches
They are pillow-like pouches that deliver nicotine directly into the bloodstream through the mouth's membrane lining. Created in 2014 by the company Swedish Match.
In addition to being perceived as a safer, and therefore, "healthier" addiction than vaping, nicotine pouches directly appeal to children and young people for a few other reasons.
Like JUUL pods, nicotine pouches are sold in a variety of "fun" flavors such as peppermint, cinnamon, coffee, and citrus-which makes them pleasant to use.
Social media sites like TikTok feature "Zynfluencers," whose content mainly consists of themselves using and promoting the pouches. This is concerning, especially considering 47.4% of all TikTok users in 2024 are under 30 years old.
Harms of Nicotine Pouches and Vapes
Nicotine can harm brain development which continues until about age 25.
Youth can start showing signs of nicotine addiction quickly, sometimes before the start of regular or daily use.
Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
Adolescents who use nicotine may be at increased risk for future addiction to other drugs.
Help for quitting: DropTheVape and Vaping Conversation Guide from the American Lung Association (ALA) DropTheVape is a free text-based youth and young adult vaping cessation service for smokers aged 13-24 provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The service is evidence-based and was developed by the Truth Initiative® with input from young people who wanted to quit vaping.
This program makes it easier to stop. Any New York State resident in the targeted age bracket can text “DropTheVape” to 88709. Enrollees receive interactive daily text messages tailored to their sign-up date or their target quit date. Messages include motivation, tips, coping strategies, and exercise to help build their belief that they CAN quit.
More than 30 schools around the GLOW region participated in the 6th annual event. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Students from school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties engage with employers throughout the event, exploring careers that could unveil new opportunities they may not have previously considered.
Over 70 businesses provided hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students learned about career opportunities in their own backyard that offer good-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation, as well as accelerated training programs available in the region.
“We have seen GLOW With Your Hands participants grow into successful professionals, and businesses that participate in our manufacturing and healthcare event grow their next generation. Having over 1,000 students and a record number of employers at our event reaffirms that there is a significant need for these connections and a significant benefit created at our events,” added GLOW With Your Hands, Co-Chair Karyn Winters.
Led by Platinum Sponsors LandPro Equipment, National Grid, and newcomer Davis-Fetch, many businesses have participated in every GLOW With Your Hands since 2019, including representatives of the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, and construction trades.
Davis-Fetch specializes in commercial building construction services focusing on building interior spaces, walls, ceilings, and acoustical wall panels. This is the company’s inaugural GLOW With Your Hands event featuring a hands-on demonstration of installing drywall screws and using a drywall zip tool around electrical boxes. Davis-Fetch used this as an opportunity to engage with the next generation of workforce candidates in the GLOW region.
“Rather than setting up a booth and speaking with students, we were able to interact with the next generation of workforce candidates with a hands-on approach that was educational and informative of our work, " said Davis-Fetch President Frank Kittlinger. “After witnessing the engagement of over a thousand students today, we look forward to being a part of GLOW With Your Hands annually.”
After launching in 2019 with 800 students, GLOW With Your Hands has grown into the premier workforce development program in the region. Including GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare, a hands-on medical careers program held annually in March, more than 5,000 students have participated in GLOW With Your Hands events since 2019.
“Our goal is to provide local youth with family-sustaining career opportunities that lead to fulfilling lifestyles and positively impact local communities,” said GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair Angela Grouse. “By getting hands-on and informational experiences, our students are taking the first step toward that goal.”
Albion High School Senior Joseph Schoberlein said he was not aware of many of the careers present at GLOW With Your Hands before today and came away with an understanding of what opportunities are available to him after graduation this upcoming spring.
“There are a number of jobs you learn about at GLOW With Your Hands that you do not experience in a traditional classroom setting, a lot of these careers do not require a college degree. I can enter the workforce immediately out of high school with a good-paying job without taking the college route,” stated Schoberlien.
Manufacturing is coming back to the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 24. Since its inception in 2019, the program has welcomed over 5,000 students. This year’s event features over 1,000 students from 30 school districts across the GLOW region arriving at the fairgrounds for the day-long career exploration event.
Over 70 businesses will provide hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students will have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in their own backyard that offer good-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation.
“Collaboration between educators, workforce experts, and local companies have created a workforce development blueprint that is connecting our students to in-demand careers right here in the GLOW Region,” said Karyn Winters, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “The thousands of students that have experienced GLOW With Your Hands leave with a profound understanding of the opportunities and pathways available to good-paying, hands-on careers.”
Platinum Sponsors LandPro Equipment, National Grid, and Rochester Davis-Fetch lead dozens of event supporters bringing hands-on experiences students look forward to participating in annually.
Among the new companies attending for the first time include Lakeland Concrete Products, a construction company based in Lima, IK Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surveillance & security systems out of Victor, and Zoldaz, a trucking contractor in Alden.
“Various groups and organizations are working collaboratively to help alleviate workforce shortages in the GLOW region, which is a national phenomenon,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Private sector investment by companies across the region continues to flourish resulting in a strong demand by employers to fill jobs as a result of this growth.”
You might call it an open house -- those timeless school events that bring parents to the school to meet their children's teachers.
But in Pavilion, folks call it the Gopher Gathering.
On Thursday, Pavilion High School held its 5th annual Gopher Gathering.
The event is a chance for the school community to come together to enjoy good food, live music, and games and also learn about academic opportunities available at the school.
Besides learning about classes they might have overlooked, it's a chance for students and parents to learn about campus activities, including clubs students might join.
Gov. Kathy Hochul visited East Syracuse Minoa Central School Thursday, and she discussed various school-related issues, including her potential ban on cell phones in the classroom. School districts, students and parents have asked for this, she says, and "we just have to work out a lot of the mechanics of how this will happen."
A partial transcript of the session was shared with The Batavian by Hochul’s office.
Hochul shared that she was excited about an upcoming state teachers’ union summit later this month. At this summit, she will bring together all of the stakeholders—teachers, administrators, and superintendents—to discuss how to “operationalize a statewide policy” for a phone ban in schools.
“And there's a lot of lessons to be learned from what other schools have already done across the country, but even here in the state of New York. Schoharie, as well, is one example, just outside of Albany. We listened to them in one of our first sessions. And some schools are purchasing the bags that are magnetic and concealed at the beginning part of the day and unlock them at the end of the day,” Hochul said. “There are other schools that are just saying don't bring them to school at all. I'm learning more about what policies are there — but in order to be a policy for the state, we would have to wait until the legislative session and to enact it there.”
A reporter asked if the law would be voted on through a budget or legislative session.
“I would like to move faster. It could be budget, but it even could be before the budget. If there is sufficient interest, they can pass bills, and I can sign them very early in the session — that's also a possibility,” she said. “We'll see what other areas we have to find common ground in if there are any obstacles. I'm working on that now already, so I would like to start off early. But the other thing that's important is to start the engagement with parents very early. So I would say, especially after this summit on the 20th, we'll be announcing where we're likely to go.”
Hochul emphasized that school districts should begin hosting parent forums now to allow conversations with other districts that have already implemented bans. This would allow them to share their concerns before taking action and how they overcame them.
“But also law enforcement. We need to invite law enforcement in to talk to parents and school districts about how, in their best judgment, if there is a crisis that unfolds in the school — you want these students to be focused 100% on the adult in the room who's going to lead them to safety,” she said. “Going on your cell phone, texting friends, capturing video — this could all put them in harm's way. And that's a strong message that I heard as I did these roundtables, and I want to make sure every parent hears and understands. There's still a process involved, but I feel even more committed than I did at the beginning of this process. After all the stories I've heard from frustrated teachers, anxious parents — and teenagers who are asking us to help save them from themselves.”
Hochul was asked if she wanted an outright ban on phones. She said her answer is in the listening tour with school districts that began earlier this year.
“That's what we're looking to — that's part of our listening process. I have personally received enough information for me to believe that we're going to need a ban. School districts have asked for this. Students have asked for this. Parents have asked for this. And we just have to work out a lot of the mechanics of how this will happen — this will take the pressure off of individual school districts,” she said. “I have heard from many superintendents who say, ‘This is hard, it's a lot for us to handle in light of our responsibilities.’ And asking the state to come up with a policy with their engagement that'll be effective.
“So that's the path we're looking at. But I also have a lot of stakeholders, and I have to work with the Legislature,” she said. “So, we will get to a point where I can announce with finality what we're going for, I still wanted to continue hearing more voices.”
For the record, Gov. Hochul, there are five voices in Genesee County stating that they don’t want a ban on cell phones in their school districts, primarily because a ban doesn’t offer teachable moments and provide lessons for responsibility for cell phone use. That was the consensus according to superintendents’ responses to questions from The Batavian.
