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, ...
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SCCS FFA Update:
March 31, 2025
Written by: Monica Rejman for the SCCS Source
The Southern Cayuga FFA Chapter competed at the Central Region Substates Contest for Leadership Development Events (LDE) at Adirondack High School in Booneville this past Saturday, March 15, 2025. The next competition is the State Finals will take place at the NYS FFA Convention at the State Fairgrounds on May 7-9, 2025.
Audrey Larsen took first place in Senior People In Agriculture and will advance on to the State Finals
Sophia Vitale earned second place in Senior Prepared Public Speaking, and will advance on to the State Finals.
The Conduct of Chapter Meeting Team placed second, and will advance on to the State Finals. The team members included Brody David, Bree Harvatine, Maggie Hastings, ...
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Capital Project Update:
The 2023 voter-approved capital project is now underway. Southern Cayuga Schools have partnered with RSA Architects and C&S Construction Management to implement a $15.5 million capital improvement initiative. To expedite the roof replacement, the project has been divided into two phases. Phase 1 includes the replacement of the main building roof as well as the roof on the bus garage. I am pleased to report that the roofing portion of the main building is nearly complete. The sunny fall weather helped to keep things moving and four of the five roof sections are now finished. Remaining roof work will now focus on the pool and locker room areas that were damaged during a storm last winter.
Phase 2 of the capital project is currently awaiting state approval. ...
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SCCS Budget 2024-25 Budget Brochure:
The Southern Cayuga Central School District residents will vote on a $19,914,840 budget proposal for the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 am to 9 pm in the District Office. Voters will also select from three candidates for two open seats on the Board of Education, consider additional propositions including the purchase of school buses/student transportation vehicles, and an increase in taxpayer support for the Aurora Free Library and the Hazard Library Association. Select the image below for access to the complete Budget Brochure 2024-25 content.
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SCCS Budget Update #3:
While progress has been made in securing foundational aid for schools, the finalization of the agreement between the legislature and the governor remains pending. The district extends sincere gratitude to community members who engaged with their local representatives, as it appears these efforts have postponed the elimination of the ‘Hold Harmless’ provision. Your calls and emails have truly made a difference.
Discussions continue at the state level, with the current focus on potentially deferring this challenging decision to the 2025-2026 school year. This delay aims to provide school districts with additional time to prepare for the future loss of state revenue. Looking ahead, there is anticipation of a reduction in state aid, reflecting New York State's shift ...
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State Budget Proposal 2024:
On January 16, 2024, Governor Hochul put forth a state budget proposal that includes a reduction in foundation aid to over 300 school districts, mainly small rural districts, across New York State. This proposal by the governor translates to a significant 30% cut for Southern Cayuga CSD, amounting to $2.2 million over the span of two years.
In 2023-2024, Southern Cayuga CSD received $7,264,241 in foundation aid. However, the governor's proposed budget for the next year suggests a reduction to $6,171,953. This first year budgetary adjustment is driven by the introduction of a new state aid formula and the elimination of the 'hold harmless' provision. Previously, this provision guaranteed that all school districts would receive no less than the amount of aid they ...
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Congratulations!:
There's exciting news at Southern Cayuga! On Friday night, January 12, Junior Charli Bennett (#11) made history by setting a new SCCS basketball scoring record (1262) for total varsity career points in a spectacular 66-36 victory over Candor. Heading into the game, Charli was only 32 points away from tying the record and 33 points away from claiming it as her own. In an incredible display of skill and determination, she scored an impressive 34 points against Candor, securing her position as the all-time basketball scoring leader at Southern Cayuga. Charli tied the record in the fourth quarter with a successful free throw, and less than a minute later, she clinched the title with a layup, bringing her total to 1262 points.The previous record was established at 1260 career points by Catherine ...
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SCCS Fall 2023 Newsletter:
The Southern Cayuga District Newsletter is one of many ways to stay in touch with the latest Southern Cayuga CSD news, events, and education-related timelines. Information is posted in the District Newsletter to ensure our School Community is provided with current news. The newsletter is published 4 times throughout the school year. Please click the image below to review our Fall 2023 Newsletter.
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SC Sr High School Hosts Mock DWI Event, 5-15-26:
May 14, 2026
Southern Cayuga Sr High School Hosts Mock DWI/Distracted Driver Event
On May 15, as part of our “Finish Strong” initiative, Southern Cayuga Senior High School will partner with local Volunteer Fire Departments, EMS agencies, and law enforcement organizations to host a mock DWI/Distracted Driver event for students in grades 9–12 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the SCCS track. If you see or hear emergency vehicles at the school during this time, it will likely be related to this educational event.
This impactful program, which is held approximately every three to four years, is designed to educate students about the serious and often life-altering consequences of impaired and distracted driving. The mock DWI event is a carefully ...
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Freddie the Falcon:
Soaring in to Say Hello!
By Freddie the Falcon
Greetings Southern Cayuga! My name is Freddie, and I am proud to announce that I am the new mascot of SCCS!
Since I will be cheering on our teams at various sporting events, I’ve been asked to introduce myself. Here’s a little “get to know me” for my new family at Southern Cayuga.
Ever since I was just a young eyas (that’s what baby Falcons are called, and it is pronounced eye-as) I’ve been in love with all things sports. From watching games from the nest, to playing with my brothers and sisters, there is nothing that makes me happier than a good game.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t born with the best singing voice, just ask my mom, but I sure do appreciate some good music! I can’t ...
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Congrats SC Girls Swim Team! Section IV Runner-Up:
November 10, 2025
Congratulations to the SCCS Girls Swim Team on an outstanding season! The team finished as the Section IV Class C Runner-Up out of nine schools, a remarkable achievement that reflects their dedication, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the year.
Each swimmer’s commitment to improving their times, supporting one another, and representing SCCS with pride contributed to this well-deserved success. Their hard work in both practices and competitions truly paid off.
A special congratulations to Colleen Whitten , who qualified for the
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Congrats SC Cross-Country Teams!:
November 7, 2025
Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country Teams!
Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Cross Country Team on earning Runner-Up at the Section IV Class D Championships on November 6th The team fell just short to Delhi-South Kortright by 6 points.
Brady Young and Paul Hayden led the way, finishing 4th and 5th to punch their tickets to the NYSPHSAA State Championship Meet.
The Girls Varsity Team also had a productive race, earning a 5th place finish. Alexandria Morgan also punched her ticket to the NYSPHSAA State Championship Meet, after finishing in 5th.
Several runners achieved personal best times, including Charlie Gloss, ...
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SCCS Superintendent Search Information:
February 27, 2026
Dear Members of the Southern Cayuga Central School District Community,
We are pleased to share an update on the ongoing search for the next Superintendent of Schools for the Southern Cayuga Central School District. This important work is moving forward with care and intention as the Board reviews a strong group of applicants who bring a range of experience, leadership strengths, and perspectives well suited to our district.
Selecting our next Superintendent marks an important transition for Southern Cayuga. This role is central to setting direction, building trust, and ensuring that every student is supported, engaged, and prepared for future success. The Board remains focused on identifying a leader who respects the district’s history ...
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SCCS FFA Team Earns Silver Ranking (Top 25) Nationally:
October 31, 2025
Results are in! Conduct of Chapter Meetings Team at National FFA Convention!
We are beyond proud to announce that our Southern Cayuga FFA Conduct of Chapter Meetings Team placed in the TOP 25 in the nation, earning a Silver ranking at the National FFA Convention & Expo!
This incredible accomplishment is a reflection of the team’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. From countless hours of preparation to their outstanding performance on the national stage, they have truly represented Southern Cayuga FFA with pride and professionalism.
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IAC Sports Update - Congratulations SC Teams!:
October 20, 2025
Congratulations to all SCCS teams on a great fall season!
This past weekend, three SCCS teams competed for IAC Conference titles, an incredible accomplishment for our student-athletes, coaches, and school community.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how each team performed:
SCCS Girls Soccer IAC Champions - 1st ever Conference Championship
SCCS Girls Varsity Swim, IAC Runner-up
SCCS Boys Varsity Cross-Country, IAC Division Champions
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Planetarium Open House -- Oct 20, 5:00-6:30pm:
October 7, 2025
We are pleased to invite you to a special event!
You are cordially invited to celebrate the Reopening of the newly renovated “Dome Room” at the Southern Cayuga Planetarium on Monday, October 20, 2025 .
After months of renovation and technological upgrades, the Dome Room has been completely transformed to provide a modern, immersive experience for both students and our community. This reopening marks an exciting new chapter for STEM education at Southern Cayuga!
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New EH Playground Opens:
September 19, 2025
During the 2023-2024 school year, students at Emily Howland Elementary worked to help design a new playground for our school. Students and staff were surveyed about their favorite elements of our current playground they would like to see incorporated into the new playground. Southern Cayuga then worked with our architects and the playground company Miracle to design a new, exciting playground for our students.
During the summer of 2025 the previous playground was deconstructed and building began for the new playground. On September 18, the playground was finally ready and our students were so excited to get out and play! All classes went out for recess, and physical education classes took students out to play as well. Every student seemed so excited, and ...
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