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Market day to take place Saturday, April 23
Individuals speak out about the rights of the developmentally disabled Task force forum addresses issues in regards to lack of funding and integrating workshops By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — Mark Fournier of the Advocacy and Resource Center wasn’t afraid to speak his mind about replenishing services for the developmentally disabled. “I had the opportunity and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “Now I don’t have the opportunity to do it again and I miss it.”
Fournier, along with other individuals and community organizations and nonprofits, addressed current issues facing the developmentally disabled community at a forum on April 7. The forum, sponsored by state assembly Republicans, focused on the impact of the Olmstead decision on individuals and their families, as well as the deterioration of services due to a lack of state funding. “I feel like we’ve gone backwards,” Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (R-Bainbridge) said. The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is currently in the midst of transforming services for the developmentally disabled. One concern centers around sheltered
workshops — a program that provides employment opportunities for individuals who are developmentally, physically or mentally impaired. Traditionally, the workshops served only the impaired persons. However, as a result of the Supreme Court decision the state and OPWDD must integrate the work settings. “Bringing regular people in the workshops is wrong,” Fournier said. “They were made for people like us.” The decision is part of broader changes reshaping the field. Following the court decision, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a comprehensive plan to close institutional facilities and move in-
At Seton Catholic
Writer
and camping. Spending more time with her great niece and nephews is also on her to-do list. Russell said although she’ll miss the school, she’s optimistic about leaving in its current standing. “The school is in a good place right now,” she said. ‘I’m ready to let someone else in.” FAITH IN EDUCATION During her time as principal, Russell said she has re-engaged its relationship with the North Country Mission of
>> See OPWDD | pg. 16
Superintendent Dan Mannix says 2016-17 spending plan will come in under the tax cap
Cathy Russell stepping down after six years
Teah Dowling
‘IN THE COMMUNITY’ Michael Horn of Champlain said his son,
No cuts planned for Beekmantown Central School District
PrincipalÊ toÊ retire PLATTSBURGH — In a few months, Cathy Russell will be stepping down as Seton Catholic Central School’s principal. In Russell’s 40 years of teaching experience, she’s taught nine years within the Diocese in Ogdensburg. The soon-to-be-retiree, whose last day is June 30, said she plans on taking advantage of her free time by traveling, gardening
dividuals into community-based residential housing, supported housing or supervised residents of four or fewer individuals. As of July of that year, OPWDD no longer allows new admissions into sheltered workshops as part of their agreement with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Marty Nephew, executive director of Mountain Lake Services in Port Henry, said because of this new rule, the agency has went from 60 workshop participants to 15. “They need something to do,” he said.
By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
Cathy Russell Photo by Teah Dowling
Hope, a spiritually-based humanitarian organization that focuses on empowering relationships with people in Nicaragua. The school established its annual 40 Days of Hope, which aims to raise funds for medication and food. Seton’s Faith Ambassadors Program has also been revitalized, Russell said, along with the annual student retreat to Camp Guggenheim in Saranac Lake. Both provide faith-based activities. “I believe passionately in Catholic education,” she said. “I’ve tried very hard to work with families to make our Catholic education affordable.” >>See Cathy Russell | pg. 15
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WEST CHAZY — Beekmantown Central School District is staying within the tax cap. Beekmantown’s tax levy is set at 0.63 percent for the 201617 school year with $40,143176 in revenues — leaving over $120,000 to be raised locally. Superintendent Dan Mannix said the district won’t know if the tax rate will increase or decrease for the third year in a row until July. However, he said the district is facing no cuts and plans to improve its programming despite the state budget. A few weeks ago, state aid was increased by 6.5 percent to $24.8 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this is the “largest single investment in education in the history of the state of New York, period.” >> See Beekmantown budget | pg. 15