Superintendent's Update
May 22, 2025
Dear Cayuga-Onondaga Regional Community,
We, the superintendents of the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES component school districts, are writing to share an important reminder: dangerous substances such as fentanyl and other illicit drugs are present in communities across the country, including our own. While this is not new, it remains a serious and ongoing concern that calls for heightened awareness, open communication, and unwavering support for the safety and well-being of our students.
Our shared purpose is to keep our communities informed, proactive, and united in keeping children safe. We urge families to have open conversations at home about the dangers of substance use and the critical importance of making safe, healthy choices. These conversations can be difficult, but they are vital. As school leaders, we are here to partner with you, not only through classroom education, but through mental health supports, community programs, and by sharing trusted resources.
Below are several resources that may provide assistance, as well as, help guide conversations at home and offer additional support:
- https://www.chadcounseling.
org/ - http://www.ongov.net/health/
opioids/index.html - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-
help/helplines/national- helpline - https://www.health.ny.gov/
prevention/tobacco_control/ campaign/e-cigarette - https://cannabis.ny.gov/
system/files/documents/2023/ 10/ocm_cannabisandfentanyl.pdf - https://oasas.ny.gov/system/
files/documents/2024/04/ cannabis-toolkit-0_0_0.pdf
As a community, we share the responsibility of educating, protecting, and empowering our young people. By working together, families, schools, and community partners, we can create safe environments where every child feels supported and valued. Thank you for your continued partnership, your vigilance, and your commitment to the health and well-being of the students we all serve.
Respectfully,
Dr. Misty Slavic, Superintendent
Auburn Enlarged City School District
Michael Hoose, Superintendent
Cato-Meridian Central School District
James Froio, Superintendent
Jordan-Elbridge Central School District
John Birmingham, Superintendent
Moravia Central School District
Gregory Stone, Superintendent
Weedsport Central School District Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
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May 1, 2025
Dear Staff, Community Member, Parents, and Students,
The Southern Cayuga CSD budget hearing and meet the board candidates’ forum will be held on May 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. All community members are encouraged to attend. As the annual school budget process has been underway for several months, all 2025 budget presentations are available on our website, along with video recordings of the meetings.
The annual budget vote will take place on May 20, 2025, in the district office.
Phase Two of the 2023 voter-approved capital project is progressing smoothly, with the scope of work expanding daily. Contractors are currently focused on renovations in the high school lobby, including the creation of the SCCS Hall of Fame. During the recent school break, demolition work was completed in both the pool area and the elementary gym. These spaces have since reopened, with remaining construction work set to take place over the summer.
Exterior masonry repointing is now underway on the planetarium building, involving the replacement of deteriorated mortar and broken bricks. As a result, planetarium shows will be on hold this spring while floor tile abatement is completed and new carpeting and seating are installed. Each of these steps need to be completed before the projection system can be reinstalled.
Starting in late May, demolition work will begin in the high school loading dock area, where contractors will excavate both the fuel oil and propane tanks, which are scheduled for replacement over the summer. Additionally, demolition will commence in the high school gym, which will involve the removal of the dividing gym doors, bleachers, and gym floor. Given the extensive nature of the work in these areas, these parts of the project are set to begin on June 1, with completion expected by early September.
We appreciate the community’s continued support and patience as we work to improve our school facilities.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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March 11, 2025
Dear SCCS Staff, Parents, and Students,
On March 6, 2025, the Southern Cayuga Board of Education appointed Michael Hoose of Cortland, New York, to serve as the interim superintendent beginning July 2025. Mr. Hoose currently holds the position of interim superintendent at the Cato-Meridian Central School District. Additionally, the Board of Education appointed Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Superintendent Brian Hartwell to lead the search process for a new permanent superintendent of schools.
Phase Two of the 2023 voter approved capital project commenced on February 10, 2025. I’m pleased to report that upgrades are 80% complete in the high school foyer and the main doors are accessible once again. Thank you for your patience. Renovation work has now shifted to the hallway in front of the auditorium and will be complete by the end of March. When a significant portion of the work is complete in both areas, a new ceiling and lighting fixtures will be installed. In the meantime, temporary fixtures are in place. The next phase in the project will be the creation of a Hall of Fame slated to begin in April in the corridor between the gym and auditorium.
The 2025-2026 school district budget process has officially begun and will be discussed at upcoming Southern Cayuga Board of Education meetings through mid-April. We encourage all residents to attend. The first four budget presentations are available on our website, along with video recordings of the meetings. We encourage all residents to attend. The final budget proposal will be presented on May 12 at the annual budget hearing and will be voted on by the community on May 20, 2025. Voting will take place in the district office.
On an unrelated note, the mascot design team has completed the redesign of the mascot following the public vote in November 2024. Over the next month, the district will begin to rollout the committee approved designs to our students.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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February 3, 2025
Dear SCCS Staff, Parents, and Students,
Southern Cayuga will celebrate the induction of the 2025 SCCS Hall of Fame candidates on Friday, February 7, at approximately 7:00 p.m. We invite you to join us in honoring the achievements of Betty Lacey, Catherine Kopp, and the 2010 Varsity Volleyball Team.
On February 7, a dinner and game will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, with proceeds benefiting the SCCS Boosters’ ongoing efforts to support our students and coaches. Dinner tickets are available for purchase through our website and at home varsity games. A special thank you to the SCCS Boosters and the SCCS Hall of Fame Committee for making this memorable event possible.
Phase Two of the 2023 voter approved capital project commences on February 10, 2025. Initial renovation work inside the high school will take place in three phases:
§ February 2025 – Renovation work at the main entrance and foyer of the high school. Students and visitors can enter through the front/west side entrance closest to the high school music wing for the month of February.
§ March 2025 – Renovation work in the hallway outside of the auditorium. The main entrance will reopen as this work commences and students and staff can access the cafeteria, gym, and ag wing through the future Hall of Fame corridor.
§ April-May 2025 – Renovation work will shift to the new Hall of Fame corridor.
§ During this period of time, additional work will take place in the planetarium before major renovation work begins in the high school gym in May.
Building the 2025-2026 school district budget will be a challenging process due to inflationary cost pressures. The district is projected to receive an additional $145,000 in foundation aid, a significant reversal from the projections made by Governor Hochul last year. Over the next three months, the SCCS Board of Education will review and discuss budget revenues and expenses during each upcoming board meeting. All residents are welcome to attend. The budget proposal will be finalized in April and presented to and voted on by the community in May.
On an unrelated note, after more than 30 years in education, with the last 13 spent at the Southern Cayuga Central School District, I will be retiring effective June 30, 2025. It has been a true honor, and I wish the Southern Cayuga school community continued success and growth in the years to come.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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January 2, 2025
Dear SCCS Staff, Parents, and Students,
I am pleased to begin the new year with exciting news. The bidding process for our capital project has concluded, and the results are highly favorable for the district. On December 23, 2024, the SCCS Board of Education approved the primary contractor bids for the project.
Renovation work in the high school lobby and planetarium is scheduled to begin in February 2025, with the majority of the work planned for next summer. A full list of the capital project improvements identified by RSA Architects is available on our website. https://www.southerncayuga.
Additionally, starting in January 2025, the mascot design committee will begin collaborating with a local graphic artist to develop a new falcon logo and mascot for Southern Cayuga. The design team will include students, teachers, parents, and our athletic coordinator. While a timeline has yet to be finalized, we anticipate the process will move forward quickly.
Building the 2025-2026 school district budget will present challenges, as school districts are receiving mixed signals from Governor Hochul. The recently released Rockefeller Institute of Government report recommended a 50% “hold harmless” reduction in state aid over the next three to five years. If the governor were to approve the recommendation outlined in the Rockefeller Study, Southern Cayuga could face a loss of over $1 million in Foundation Aid. However, in response to the report, Governor Hochul has indicated:
“As we craft the upcoming Executive Budget, the Governor believes we should avoid proposals that would negatively impact school budgets, such as eliminating the hold-harmless provision of the Foundation Aid formula.”
This statement offers some hope, but the final outcome remains uncertain. We will continue to monitor developments closely as we prepare our budget for the upcoming year.
On a related note, the general public can now access video and audio recordings of SCCS Board of Education meetings through the attached link. https://www.southerncayuga.
On an unrelated note, despite recent community rumors, Southern Cayuga Central School District will not be purchasing electric school buses in the next year or two. Legislation mandates a community vote following an infrastructure study to ensure there is an adequate local electrical supply before such a purchase can be made.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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December 1, 2024
Dear SCCS Students, Parents, and Staff,
3-8 State Assessment Results
Southern Cayuga Central School District is excited to announce that our students in grades 3-8 have achieved outstanding results on the NYS 2024 ELA and Math assessments, earning the distinction of being the top performers in both subjects within Cayuga County.
When compared to the 54 school districts across the Central New York (CNY) region, our students' accomplishments are equally impressive:
- Math: Southern Cayuga students ranked 6th among all 54 districts in CNY on the grade 3-8 NYS Math assessment.
- ELA: Southern Cayuga students ranked 7th among all 54 districts in CNY on the grade 3-8 NYS ELA assessment.
This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, principals, staff, and families. Their collective effort is a testament to the power of teamwork, and we are proud to celebrate the success of our students. Congratulations to all involved and more details are available at: https://www.southerncayuga.
Go Falcons!
The election results are final, and the new mascot for Southern Cayuga Central School District is the Falcons. The Falcons received 555 votes, while the Knights garnered 305 votes.
The next step in the process involves a small group of students, staff, and community members who will work with a graphic artist over the winter to design a new logo and mascot.
Capital Project Update
The 2023 voter-approved capital improvement project is progressing as planned. I’m pleased to report that the roof replacement phase has been successfully completed, and we are now moving forward with the second phase of the project. In December, project bids will be awarded, with work scheduled to begin in early February. The initial phase will primarily focus on the high school lobby, SCCS Hall of Fame, planetarium, gyms, and auditorium.
Upcoming Events
The annual SCCS Senior Citizen Luncheon and Concert will be held on December 4 starting at 12:15 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of beautiful music performed by our students, followed by a delicious, complimentary turkey dinner. Please RSVP by December 3 to Marcy Hand at 315-364-7211. In the event of inclement weather, the snow date will be December 5 at the same time. We look forward to celebrating the holidays with you!
At the upcoming SCCS Board of Education meeting on December 9, 2024, the FFA will be showcasing their recent experiences at the 2024 FFA National Conference & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. We invite you to join us and hear about the experiences of our students at this prestigious event.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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November 1, 2024
Dear SCCS Students, Parents, and Staff
Congratulations to our fall athletes for their outstanding achievements! The SCCS Cross Country team has secured the 2024 IAC Championship and our boys soccer team is set to compete tomorrow for the Section IV Championship in Oneonta. Additionally, our girl’s swimming team is gearing up for the sectional finals on November 9, 2024. Let’s extend our best wishes for success to all our student-athletes!
I am also pleased to announce that the roofing project on the main building is complete and passed all inspections. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, we have made significant progress on replacing the bus garage roof, which is expected to be completed by mid-November.
Southern Cayuga is currently awaiting final approval for the remaining capital project work. Once approved, the district will initiate the bidding process, and the timing should be financially advantageous for us. Renovation work in the high school lobby and planetarium is set to begin in late winter, with the bulk of the work scheduled for next summer. This includes replacing underground heating oil and propane fuel tanks, improving athletic fields, installing new playground structures, replacing doors, upgrading water and sewage systems, installing new scoreboards, restoring masonry, replacing auditorium seats, and upgrading bleachers in the high school gym. A comprehensive list of capital project improvements identified by RSA Architects is available on our webpage.
Additionally, the next SCCS Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 7 PM in the high school library. Brian Hartwell, the Cayuga Onondaga BOCES District Superintendent of Schools, will present information regarding the regionalization study to be conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year. Community members are encouraged to attend.
Please mark your calendars for the SCCS Mascot Vote, which will be held in person on November 20, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the District Office. All community residents, students, and staff are invited to participate in choosing between our top two contenders: the Falcons and the Knights. Non-registered residents wishing to vote will need to provide identification that includes a valid Southern Cayuga address. Additional information, including special voting arrangements for those unable to vote in person, is available on our webpage.
Take Care,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
-----------------------------------October 1, 2024
Dear SCCS Students, Parents, and Staff,
Progress on the roofing project has been swift, thanks to a large crew and favorable weather conditions. We anticipate that the roof of the main building will be completed within the next week. The next phase will involve replacing the bus garage roof later this fall. Currently, roofing materials for the bus garage are expected to arrive in approximately six weeks, with delays attributed to shipping and supply chain issues.
Southern Cayuga is awaiting final approval for the remaining Phase 2 work. Our team has met with the construction management firm to develop a construction schedule. Some aspects of the project will begin this winter, as the remaining scope of work is too extensive to complete by the end of next summer. When approved, the district will begin the bid process and the timing should be financially beneficial to the district in regards to cost.
Phase 2 of the capital project includes the replacement of underground heating oil and propane fuel tanks, improvements to athletic fields, the installation of new playground structures, door replacements, upgrades to water and sewage systems, new scoreboards, masonry restoration, auditorium seat replacement, and the replacement of bleachers in the high school gym. A comprehensive list of capital project improvements identified by RSA Architects can be found on our webpage.
The next SCCS Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 PM in the high school library. The Bonadio Group, Auditing and Assurance Services from Rochester, New York, will present the annual school district audit to the Board. Community members are welcome to attend.
I am pleased to announce the next steps in selecting our new district mascot. After careful consideration, the Board of Education (BOE) has established a process for a public vote to finalize the choice between our top two contenders: Falcons and Knights. Students, staff, and community members can vote in person on November 20, 2024. Community members may vote at the district office from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while students and staff will cast their votes in their respective buildings. We encourage everyone to participate in this exciting decision for our district and look forward to your involvement!
Warm regards,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
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August 28, 2024
Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,
As we embark on the 2024 school year, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome back to our school community. I trust that your summer was both restful and enjoyable, and that you are as excited as I am about the new opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.
This year marks the beginning of a new chapter in learning and growth. Our schools are abuzz with energy, and our dedicated educators are prepared to provide a supportive and inspiring environment for all students. We have diligently worked to enhance our programs and resources to ensure every student has the tools they need to thrive.
On August 26, the Southern Cayuga Central School District Board of Education approved a merger with Lansing Central Schools for the wrestling program for the 2024-2025 school year. This merger is pending approval from the Lansing Central School District Board of Education and Section 4 Athletics. We are optimistic about offering this opportunity to our students for the upcoming winter season. Additionally, the board has established an ad hoc merged sports committee to explore potential future collaborations.
The Southern Cayuga Central School District Board of Education approved a recommendation from the Southern Cayuga CSD Mascot Committee to conduct a community vote on the top two proposed replacements for the Chiefs mascot. The Mascot Committee, which convened on May 30, 2024, included 20 members representing students, coaches, parents, and community members. After careful consideration, the committee identified the Knights and the Falcons as the top two mascot options. The Board has established an ad hoc committee to oversee the planning and execution of the public vote. Further details will be provided in the district’s newsletter this fall.
Southern Cayuga received final approval for the roof replacement project from the NYS Department of Education last week. While the timing is less than optimal, the pace of the project will be quick. The overall roof project is approximately 140,000 square feet, of which 99% is simply the application of a new roof membrane over the existing one. Noise distractions and smells should be minimal and will be monitored by an onsite health and safety officer.
The roofing work on the auditorium and gymnasium is expected to be completed by the end of this week, which will expedite the removal of the large crane from the campus. The next phase of the project will address the roof of the grade 3-6 classrooms, art rooms, high school library, middle school, and science wing (totaling 36 rooms), with a target completion date of September 18. Subsequent work will continue through the remaining three sections, with this portion of the project slated for completion by mid-October.
In closing, I encourage each of you to embrace the opportunities this school year presents. Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, please know that we are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s collaborate to make this year both rewarding and memorable.
Please note that the first day of school for students in grades 1-12 will be September 4. Our youngest learners in grades UPK and Kindergarten will begin their school year on September 5. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our school community. Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year!
Warm regards,
Patrick Jensen
SCCS
