Local News: March 7, 2024

- Ithaca Common Council approves permanent cease-fire resolution -

The Ithaca Common Council approved a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza at its March 6 meeting. The Ithaca Times reports the vote came after over an hour of public comments and sometimes heated debate among the Council members. The resolution condemns the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians and it recognizes “the right to self-determination and peaceful, safe futures for both Palestinian and Israeli people.” Ithaca becomes the fifth city in New York to pass a ceasefire resolution. The others are Albany, Hudson, Beacon, and Newburgh. The full meeting can be viewed on the city’s YouTube channel.

- Lawmakers plan to restore education funding cuts proposed by Hochul -

State lawmakers say their budget proposals will restore foundation aid to schools that were cut in the governor’s budget plan. Hochul’s plan would make two significant changes. It would eliminate “hold harmless” which guarantees a district would never get less than it received the previous year in foundation aid. The other would affect the way inflation is calculated for school funding.  WRVO Public Radio reports fiscal analysts for the senate Democrats say Hocul’s plan could cost schools $40 million. The Assembly and Senate will release their budget plans next Monday. The deadline to approve the budget is April 1. To hear more about the cuts and their potential impact on rural schools in our area listen to our news feature. 

- Elmira Heights teacher resigns after allegations he refused to let a transgender girl use school’s girls’ bathroom -

An Elmira Heights teacher has resigned after allegations he refused to allow an elementary student to use the girls' bathroom in the school. The student is a transgender female. WENY TV reports the district’s school board announced they have accepted the teacher’s resignation at their meeting on March 6. The superintendent referred to the state’s Dignity for All Students Act in his announcement. The resignation comes after previous community and school board meetings about the incident.