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New York State Education Department

Nassau
News
Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban
Long Island Roller Derby Team, Nyclu Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island’s first flat-track roller derby league, alongside the New York Civil Liberties Union, has filed a lawsuit against a ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports. “We’re ready for the courts to relegate this harmful, transphobic policy to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.” On Monday, March 11, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), partnered with its plaintiff, the Long Island Roller Rebels, announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in response to his February executive order banning transgender women from parti…

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by Sophie Grieser
Capital District
Schools
Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years
Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years After more than a century in operations, Albany’s College of Saint Rose is permanently closing amid mounting financial struggles. The school’s board of trustees voted Thursday, Nov. 30, to shut down the college at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. “It is with a heavy heart that the Board decided to close the college at the end of this academic year,” Board Chair Jeffrey Stone said.  "The Board determined that the College does not have the financial resources to operate for the full 2024-2025 academic year and therefore cannot remain a standalone institution.” It comes after years …

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by Michael Mashburn
Nassau
News
More Than $4.3 Million Awarded To Long Island Libraries For Upgrades More Than $4.3 Million Awarded To Long Island Libraries For Upgrades
More Than $4.3 Million Awarded To Long Island Libraries For Upgrades Long Island received a multi-million dollar award, which will be used to support construction and renovation projects for local libraries, education officials announced. On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the New York State Education Department announced that over $4.3 million will be given to libraries in the Long Island region to facilitate a variety of projects. The award is part of a larger project which grants $34 to libraries statewide, allowing the construction of new buildings, the updating of electrical wiring and computer technology, and more. “Thriving libraries are essential to thrivin…

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by Sophie Grieser
Putnam
Schools
BOCES Names New Superintendent For Putnam, Northern Westchester BOCES Names New Superintendent For Putnam, Northern Westchester
Boces Names New Superintendent For Putnam, Northern Westchester The Board of the Putnam and Northern Westchester BOCES has named its next superintendent as the current one plans to retire.  Neil Boyle, who previously served as the organization's Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, will serve as the next District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of PNW BOCES, officials announced on Thursday, April 27.  Boyle will succeed James Ryan, who is retiring from the position this year.  Already having a long history with BOCES and other school districts in the area, Boyle has previously served as the coordinator …

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by Ben Crnic
Westport
News
College Director From Westport Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says College Director From Westport Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says
College Director From Westport Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says A former director at New York University is being accused of embezzling millions in state funding and using much of the money to fund a lavish lifestyle at her home in Connecticut home, according to authorities. The six-year fraud by Fairfield County resident Cindy Tappe, age 57, of Westport, related to two NYU programs, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced this week. Tappe used her position as the director of finance and administration for NYU’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools to diver…

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by Joe Lombardi
Nassau
Schools
COVID-19: NY Cancels January Regents Exams Due To Pandemic COVID-19: NY Cancels January Regents Exams Due To Pandemic
Covid-19: NY Cancels January Regents Exams Due To Pandemic High school students in New York will be exempt from taking the January Regents exams due to the spike of fresh COVID-19 infections that have been threatening the entire state. The New York State Education Department announced on Tuesday, Dec. 21 that the exams have been canceled due to the surge of new COVID-19 cases, specifically those tied to the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus. It marks the second straight year that the Education Department canceled the Regents exams due to the spread of COVID-19. “New York set a daunting record last week with more COVID-19 cases rep…

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by Zak Failla
Mt. Kisco
Sports
COVID-19: Some NY HS Sports, Including Football, May Be Canceled In High-Infection Rate Areas COVID-19: Some NY HS Sports, Including Football, May Be Canceled In High-Infection Rate Areas
Covid-19: Some NY HS Sports, Including Football, May Be Canceled In High-Infection Rate Areas New York State education officials are calling on school districts begin to prepare to potentially cancel high-risk sporting events where participants are not fully vaccinated in areas with high COVID-19 transmission. With the new school year less than a month away, the Education Department released its guidance on reopening schools, including how best to handle sports and extracurricular activities as variants of the virus continue to cause new infections to spike. Football, volleyball, and competitive cheer and dance are considered to be fall sports at a "higher risk," according to the st…

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by Zak Failla
Suffolk NY
Schools
COVID-19: NY Cancels Next Scheduled Regents Exam Due To Pandemic COVID-19: NY Cancels Next Scheduled Regents Exam Due To Pandemic
Covid-19: NY Cancels Next Scheduled Regents Exam Due To Pandemic There will be no Regents exams for high school students in New York this January as the state continues combating the COVID-19 crisis. The New York State Education Department announced on Thursday, Nov. 5 that the ongoing pandemic has wiped out the chance of administering the Regents exams in January 2021. No decisions have been made yet regarding the June and August 2021 Regents exams, interim State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa announced. “Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been the health and wellbeing of our students and educators,” she said. “We determined the January Regen…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley School Closes After Positive Case, 22 Percent Of Staff Under Quarantine COVID-19: Hudson Valley School Closes After Positive Case, 22 Percent Of Staff Under Quarantine
Covid-19: Hudson Valley School Closes After Positive Case, 22 Percent Of Staff Under Quarantine There has been a new school closure due to a positive case of COVID-19 in the Hudson Valley. The school, in Sullivan County, is the George L. Cooke Elementary School, where a staff member tested COVID positive and several other staffers are in quarantine, the Monticello Central School District announced. The school has switched to remote instruction only for all of its students through Friday, Oct. 9, the district announced on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Related story - COVID-19: Westchester School District Pushes In-Person Learning Into November  The district and Su…

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by Joe Lombardi
Southwest Dutchess
Schools
COVID-19: Poughkeepsie City School District To Start Year Remotely COVID-19: Poughkeepsie City School District To Start Year Remotely
Covid-19: Poughkeepsie City School District To Start Year Remotely The City of Poughkeepsie's Board of Education decided to conduct schooling remotely after 57.8 percent of surveyed parents reported that they would prefer their children learn from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. "This was not an easy decision to make, but please know that it was made with the best interest of all of our students, teachers, staff and parents in mind," wrote Superintendent Eric J. Rosser in a letter to district parents.  "Additional factors that informed this decision include a great need to guarantee that the safety and health of students and staff will be prot…

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by Christina Coulter
Nassau
News
COVID-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public COVID-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public
Covid-19: State Guidelines For Reopening Schools Now Available To Public Guidelines sent to school districts when the formula that will be used to reopen schools across New York State was announced are now available for the general public. Under the formula, schools can reopen if the region is in Phase 4 and the daily COVID-19 infection rate is five percent or lower over a 14-day average. But if the regional infection rate is greater than nine percent using a seven-day average after Saturday, Aug. 1, schools will then have to close, in effect, "an emergency stop button," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in announcing the formula on Monday, July 13. The determination for …

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by Joe Lombardi
Suffolk NY
Schools
COVID-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says COVID-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says
Covid-19: These Steps Are Needed To Safely Reopen Schools, NY State Teachers Union Says With the state set to announce in less than a month plans for reopening schools in the fall, the New York State Teachers Union has offered guidance on how to best get students back in the classroom. NYSUT President Andy Pallotta released a statement following New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing an official timeline for when a decision will be made on school reopening. COVID-19: NY State Sets Timeline For Making Decision On Reopening Schools The state will provide public guidelines from the New York State Education Department to districts on Monday, July 13, and school districts will have…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
News
COVID-19: NY State Sets Timeline For Making Decision On Reopening Schools COVID-19: NY State Sets Timeline For Making Decision On Reopening Schools
Covid-19: NY State Sets Timeline For Making Decision On Reopening Schools New York State now has a timeline for announcing a decision on how to best potentially reopen schools in September amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During a news briefing on Wednesday, July 8  in Manhattan, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state has set a deadline for making a final decision on whether how or if schools will open their doors in the fall. The state will provide public guidelines from the New York State Education Department to districts on Monday, July 13, and school districts will have to submit their proposed plans by Friday, July 31. Once distr…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Schools
COVID-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options COVID-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options
Covid-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options When schools potentially reopen their doors for classes in New York come the fall, they could have a very different look for students and staff. The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents has launched a “school reopening task force” comprised of educators statewide as New York recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that forced the state to transition to a “distance learning” model. Related story - COVID-19: Have Plans Ready For The 'New Normal,' Cuomo Tells NY School Districts That task force held its first meeting this week, on Monday, June 15, as i…

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by Zak Failla
Ulster Sullivan
Schools
COVID-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State COVID-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State
Covid-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State The clock is ticking for school districts in New York to figure out their plans on keeping students and staff safe if they reopen in the fall amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. State officials have mandated that school districts must have a plan in place that includes social distancing, hybrid learning options, and other intangibles if they plan to potentially reopen in September as New York recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some districts have even looked into testing students and staff for the virus upon their arrival at school buildings. The New York State Education Dep…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Schools
COVID-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State COVID-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State
Covid-19: School Districts Given Deadline To Submit Reopening Plans To State The clock is ticking for school districts in New York to figure out their plans on keeping students and staff safe if they reopen in the fall amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. State officials have mandated that school districts must have a plan in place that includes social distancing, hybrid learning options, and other intangibles if they plan to potentially reopen in September as New York recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some districts have even looked into testing students and staff for the virus upon their arrival at school buildings. The New York State Education Depa…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Schools
COVID-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall COVID-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall
Covid-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall When schools potentially reopen their doors for classes in New York come the fall, they could have a very different look for students and staff. The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents has launched a “school reopening task force” comprised of educators statewide as New York recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that forced the state to transition to a “distance learning” model. Related story - COVID-19: Have Plans Ready For The 'New Normal,' Cuomo Tells NY School Districts That task force held its first meeting this week, on Monday, June 15, …

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Sports
COVID-19: Guidelines Released For Summer HS Sports Workouts COVID-19: Guidelines Released For Summer HS Sports Workouts
Covid-19: Guidelines Released For Summer HS Sports Workouts Public schools in New York will be able to open up campuses later this summer for sports workouts, according to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. The NYSPHSAA announced on Friday, June 12, that school campuses can be used for high school sports training in Phase 4, though official practices will not be permitted to start until Monday, Aug. 24. Workouts will resume once regions enter Phase 4 of their reopening plan under the mandates set provided by the state. If the mid-Hudson Valley and Long Island stay on track, they will…

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by Zak Failla
Pelham
Schools
COVID-19: 19 Members Of State's Reimagine Education Advisory Council Announced COVID-19: 19 Members Of State's Reimagine Education Advisory Council Announced
Covid-19: 19 Members Of State's Reimagine Education Advisory Council Announced A group of nearly two dozen top education leaders has been tabbed to help reimagine education in New York when the state is rid of COVID-19 and ready to begin reopening schools. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a panel of 19 experts, made up of educators, students, parents, and education leaders, to help districts reimagine schools as they prepare to reopen in the "new normal."  Cuomo said the advisory board will reimagine education “while protecting health and safety, how virtual learning can bridge the gap, and supplement face to face education when schools reopen.” The Council …

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Business
COVID-19: Long Island Bus Company Closes, With 900 Losing Jobs COVID-19: Long Island Bus Company Closes, With 900 Losing Jobs
Covid-19: Long Island Bus Company Closes, With 900 Losing Jobs One of Long Island’s largest bus companies is closing its doors and laying off nearly 1,000 employees amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Baumann Bus Company announced this week it will be permanently closing its doors after five decades, costing 900 jobs of previously laid-off drivers who will now not be hired back. The company was contracted with the Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Malverne, East Meadow, Merrick, Bellmore, Roslyn, Hewlett-Woodmere, and Long Beach school districts. When the pandemic hit in early March, the drivers were temporarily laid off …

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
News
COVID-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning COVID-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning
Covid-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning School districts in New York have been instructed to forego traditional spring recess and continue distance learning as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to plague the state. With schools statewide shut down through at least Wednesday, April 15 due to the virus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring that remote teaching continues to that date. The governor said that districts that fail to provide instruction on all weekdays through April 15, including scheduled vacation days, could potentially lose state aid. It is unclear what school districts will do rega…

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by Zak Failla
Tarrytown-SleepyHollow
News
COVID-19: School Staff Member In Westchester Tests Positive COVID-19: School Staff Member In Westchester Tests Positive
Covid-19: School Staff Member In Westchester Tests Positive A staff member at a Westchester school has tested positive for novel coronavirus. Bronxville Schools Superintendent Roy Montesano issued an alert to parents on Wednesday stating that a member of the staff at The Bronxville School tested positive for COVID-19. Montesano noted that the school has been closed since Friday, March 13, leaving nearly two weeks since anyone has been in group contact in the district. It was unclear whether the staff member was a faculty member, administrator or another employee at the school. “To help you respond to this situation, we note that school contact, ‘b…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant
News
COVID-19: All Schools In State Will Close For At Least Two Weeks, Cuomo Says COVID-19: All Schools In State Will Close For At Least Two Weeks, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: All Schools In State Will Close For At Least Two Weeks, Cuomo Says As the number of positive cases of the novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19) climbs, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all schools statewide will be closed for a minimum of two weeks, and maybe more. During his daily news conference on the outbreak, on Monday, March 16, Cuomo announced he is working with the state Education Department to ensure that all schools are shut down to help curtail the rapid spread of COVID-19. Cuomo said that nearly 90 percent of New York Schools had already closed or had planned to close in the coming week. The order comes as those schools that remai…

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by Zak Failla
Armonk
Schools
New Rochelle, Ground Zero For COVID-19 In Westchester, Closes All Schools New Rochelle, Ground Zero For COVID-19 In Westchester, Closes All Schools
New Rochelle, Ground Zero For Covid-19 In Westchester, Closes All Schools All schools in New Rochelle, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Hudson Valley, will be closed until Thursday, March 26, officials announced. Related story: School Closures, Schedule Adjustments For Friday, March 13 New Rochelle has been at the center of the outbreak after a 50-year-old attorney who lives in the North end of the city became the second New Yorker to test positive for COVID-19. The virus quickly spread thereafter the attorney attended a bar mitzvah and wedding at an area church, which then transmitted to members of the congregation. Earlier story:&nbs…

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by Zak Failla
North Rockland
News
More COVID-19 Cases Reported In Rockland More COVID-19 Cases Reported In Rockland
More Covid-19 Cases Reported In Rockland Rockland County is up to five confirmed cases of coronavirus, all linked to 50-year-old New Rochelle attorney Lawrence Garbuz, who is patient zero for the virus in the Hudson Valley. The Rockland County Department of Health confirmed this week that there have been at least three more positive tests for COVID-19, more than doubling the number of people who had previously contracted the virus. According to reports, the new cases are believed to be related to two caterers from Rockland who worked a bah mitzvah or wedding in Westchester late last month that Garbuz attended. In response, the Ea…

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by Zak Failla
Briarcliff
Obituaries
Judith Johnson, Longtime Hudson Valley Educator, Dies Judith Johnson, Longtime Hudson Valley Educator, Dies
Judith Johnson, Longtime Hudson Valley Educator, Dies Former New York State Education Department Regent and prominent Hudson Valley educator Judith Johnson has died. During her career, Johnson, 80, spent time serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Education under President Bill Clinton and spent decades educating students in the Hudson Valley. Johnson spent 10 years as the Schools Superintendent in Peekskill, becoming the first African American to hold that post. She also took over at the helm in Mount Vernon in an interim position in 2012 as the district underwent wholesale changes and sought a permanent …

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Politics
'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo 'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo
'Emergency Executive Action' To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In NY Announced By Cuomo An "emergency executive action" has been put in place to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in New York. The order will advance legislation aiming to eliminate "deceptive marketing practices of e-cigarettes to underage users and raises the purchasing age of e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old," Cuomo's office said in a statement announcing the move on Sunday, Sept. 15. The action comes after a sixth vaping-related death was announced on Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Kansas. Cuomo directed State Police and the Department of Health to immediately partner to ramp up enforcement efforts again…

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by Joe Lombardi
Putnam
Schools
These Area School Districts Have Best-Paid Principals These Area School Districts Have Best-Paid Principals
These Area School Districts Have Best-Paid Principals Educators have among the most important jobs out there, helping to mold the minds of children, which is why the Hudson Valley is home to some of the most well-compensated principals in the state. A new study by Upstate New York determined that on average, principals and assistant principals earn an average of between $62,000 to approximately $170,000 annually, according to the New York State Education Department’s Personnel Master File. Other recent studies found that the median salary for New York State teachers range from $21,765 to $131,689, while administrators earn between approximatel…

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by Zak Failla
North Orange
Schools
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines Four Hudson Valley school districts may be spared from paying about $19 million in fines due to late paperwork on construction projects. The state Assembly gave its approval on Tuesday, June 4 to legislation freeing the Orange County school districts of Newburgh and Chester, as well as the Sullivan County school district in Monticello. They allegedly neglected to file final reports on building projects years ago. The state Senate previously approved the bills last month — and a separate bill to grant Roscoe School District the same penalty waiver in Sullivan County. The legislation now goe…

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by Jon Craig
Putnam
Schools
These Area School Districts Pay Administrators The Most These Area School Districts Pay Administrators The Most
These Area School Districts Pay Administrators The Most The Hudson Valley is home to some of New York’s finest schools, with some teachers and administrators earning among the top pay among educators in the state. A new study by Upstate New York determined that on average, administrators earn between $50,000 to more than $200,000 annually, according to the New York State Education Department’s Personnel Master File. A second study recently found that the median salaries for New York State teachers range from $21,765 to $131,689. The report only includes school districts that are considered “upstate” which is considered north of Westchester and…

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by Zak Failla
New Rochelle
Schools
New Rochelle Schools In Danger Of Losing State Aid For Falling Short Of Instructional Hours New Rochelle Schools In Danger Of Losing State Aid For Falling Short Of Instructional Hours
New Rochelle Schools In Danger Of Losing State Aid For Falling Short Of Instructional Hours The New Rochelle School District is in danger of losing state aid because two middle schools will not meet the required number of instructional hours for students. Parents were made aware of this issue this week when interim Superintendent Magda Parvey sent a letter detailing the issue at hand. The problem was discovered in December and district officials by the school’s lawyers. In the letter, Parvey pointed the finger at the former administration, which was helmed by former Superintendent Brian Osborne, who abruptly left his position in the district last year. Parvey said that there are n…

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by Zak Failla