Local News for Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Kitchen Theater Lays Off Staff

The Kitchen Theater in Ithaca is laying off its entire administrative staff including the artistic and creative directors. The Ithaca Voice reports that Board chair Matt Carcella says the mid-season changes are necessary due to low ticket sales and donations. Board member and actor Karl Gregory will serve as the interim artistic director for the rest of the season. The Theater’s leadership will be looking for ways to stay open in the future.

Over 50 Acres of Six Mile Creek Watershed Under Conservation Protection

A parcel of over 50 acres of undeveloped land in Tompkins County is now under permanent conservation. The property is at the headwaters of Six Mile Creek in the town of Caroline. The creek provides some of the drinking water for the city of Ithaca. The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced that the property’s owner, Ellen Harrison donated the conservation easement. Conservation easements are legal agreements that permanently limit future land use for conservation purposes. The easement includes protection of 18 acres of a wetland that feeds Cayuga Lake. 

Superintendents Oppose Abolition of Suspensions

A group of New York school superintendents are urging the state's Board of Regents not to ban all school suspensions. The state legislature is currently considering legislation that would limit suspension to no more than 20 days and eliminate them for subjective violations such as “insubordination.” Bo Wright is Geneva Schools’ superintendent. The Albany Times Union reports that Wright and others support using alternatives to suspension but he said there are situations when a student should be removed from school. Some research has shown that poor and minority students are disproportionately disciplined. Wright said discipline is necessary but should include restorative measures, and, when necessary, mental health support.