Salamanca/Schools
Salamanca Schools Pause Humanoid Robot Program Amid Privacy Concerns
Salamanca City Central School District put its plan to deploy a nearly $60,000 humanoid robot, nicknamed 'Sally,' on hold after state officials and the statewide teachers union raised objections. The robot, built by Nevada-based Realbotix, was intended to support high school robotics and technology students rather than replace a classroom teacher. State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa flagged unresolved student data-privacy questions and pushed back on characterizations of the robot as a 'tutoring platform,' while New York State United Teachers criticized the vendor's ties to adult-product manufacturing. The district announced Friday, July 24, 2026, that the pilot would remain paused while it works out enhanced data-privacy agreements with the state and hears from the community.
Friendship/Schools
Friendship Central School Sends Off Class of 2026
Friendship Central School held commencement on June 27, awarding diplomas to 27 graduating seniors. Valedictorian Madison Rondeau and Salutatorian Charles Taylor addressed classmates, families and faculty during the ceremony, and guest speaker Jacqueline Dent offered remarks to the graduates. Scholarship awards were also presented as part of the event, recognizing students' academic and community achievements over their high school careers. The small rural district, which serves roughly 288 students total, marked the milestone as its graduates prepare for college, careers and military service.
Portville/Schools
Portville Central School Sends Off Class of 2026
Portville Central School held its commencement ceremony on a Friday evening in late June 2026, formally graduating its Class of 2026. Valedictorian Aidan DeFazio urged classmates to embrace uncomfortable, growth-oriented moments rather than settle into complacency as they move on from high school. Graduates received diplomas and scholarship awards during the ceremony, which capped a year of academic and extracurricular achievement for the district's seniors. The event drew families and community members to celebrate the milestone alongside district staff.
Allegany/Schools
Allegany-Limestone Schools Advance New Bus Entrance Project
Allegany-Limestone Central School District is moving forward with plans to build a new, dedicated bus entrance and exit off Five Mile Road at its middle/high school campus. District officials say the second access point is intended to separate bus traffic from car and pedestrian traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal, improving safety and easing congestion around the building. The project is part of the district's ongoing capital improvements at the Five Mile Road campus. No firm construction start date had been announced as of late June 2026.
Cuba/Schools
Cuba-Rushford Graduates 53 Seniors in Class of 2026
Cuba-Rushford Central School District celebrated commencement for 53 graduating seniors. Joseph Wojciechowski was named valedictorian with a weighted GPA of 99.95, and Peyton Joy was named salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 99.67, both recognized earlier in the spring for their academic records. The ceremony capped a school year that also included an academic awards night honoring honor-roll students and four-year high-honor-roll seniors, along with several scholarship presentations. District officials and family members gathered to send off the class as students move on to college, trade programs and the workforce.
Olean/Schools
Olean Schools to Add 15 Minutes to the Student Day This Fall
Olean City School District Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris told the Board of Education that the student school day will run 15 minutes longer starting in September, a change tied to the district's new staff collective bargaining agreement. District officials framed the extra time as an opportunity to build in additional instructional or support time across buildings. The change comes as the district also finalized a 2026-27 budget proposal with a modest levy increase. Registration for new students was set for early August ahead of the schedule change taking effect.
Andover/Schools
Andover Central School Names Top of the Class of 2026
Andover Central School named James Miller-Young as valedictorian and Naudia Pierson as salutatorian of its Class of 2026. Principal Molly Turner credited Miller-Young, a multi-sport athlete and National Honor Society member, with challenging himself academically through the New Visions Health Professions program; he plans to study biology at St. John Fisher University with an eye toward medical school. Pierson, also a National Honor Society member and multi-sport athlete, has been active in the school's PAWS after-school mentoring program and plans to pursue a finance degree in college. The announcement highlighted both students' combination of academic achievement and community involvement ahead of graduation.
Franklinville/Schools
Franklinville Schools Seek Bids for Multi-Building Capital Project
Franklinville Central School District advertised for construction bids on a capital improvement project covering Ten Broeck Academy, Franklinville Elementary School, the bus garage and a new transportation facility. The work is split into seven separate contracts spanning site work, general trades, roofing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and window-replacement, with sealed proposals due April 9, 2026. A pre-bid conference and walk-through for contractors was held in mid-March at the elementary school. The project follows voter approval of a district capital plan and is expected to modernize aging school facilities.