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Renova community presses Keystone Central board for answers on rumored Bucktail sports cuts after superintendent resignation
Summary
Residents, students and volunteers urged Keystone Central School District to clarify persistent rumors that Bucktail High School athletics may be reduced amid a reported $3.5 million deficit; speakers also acknowledged the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Redmond and asked for transparent next steps.
Dozens of residents and students from Renova told the Keystone Central School District board at its May 7 meeting they are worried that cuts to Bucktail High School athletics and extracurricular programs are imminent and asked the board to publicly confirm whether programs are at risk.
Multiple speakers — including Mary George R., Bucktail alum Margaret White, parent Cody Canoff and student leaders — described the sports and activities as central to small-town life and essential to student engagement. "The rumors are killing our community," Mary George R. said, asking the board for “clear, direct information on whether any Bucktail programs are being considered for reduction or elimination.”
Why it matters: Commenters said sports at Bucktail are not extras but core elements of students’ social and academic engagement and raised practical concerns about travel, costs and student safety if teams are consolidated with larger schools. Speakers repeatedly noted that Bucktail’s small enrollment (presented by students at the meeting as about 153) means a high proportion of young people participate in athletics and that removing teams would force students to travel long distances on Renova Road, creating additional time and safety burdens.
What residents said: Cody Canoff, a parent and Bucktail graduate, questioned district spending decisions amid what he called a roughly $3.5 million deficit and listed recent district capital projects and purchases that community members have criticized. "Why does the solution always affect our schools and never down here?" he asked, and urged the board to explain how cuts will be chosen and to protect speakers from retaliation. Several commenters also said exit communications for families who left for cyber options were inconsistent or not offered.
Students spoke directly: Bucktail students and a senior class representative said sports and extracurriculars build leadership and local identity. "Our sports bring our town together and create a sense of pride," a student presenter told the board, urging members to work with student government to find solutions.
Board response and context: Board President Christine said she had not heard board members discuss closing the Renova campus, and reminded speakers that the district posts public meeting recordings and that deliberations take place in public sessions. The board did not announce any specific plan to cut Bucktail athletics at the meeting.
Superintendent status: Several speakers paid tribute to Superintendent Dr. Frank Redmond after the board acknowledged his resignation; community members thanked him for engagement in Renova and urged the board to prioritize stable leadership going forward.
Next steps: The board did not vote on program reductions during the meeting. Community members asked for clearer public notice of any proposed changes and said they will continue to press the board for detailed information. The district also agreed to keep public meeting materials available online and said staff would follow up as appropriate.
Reporting note: Statements in this article are drawn from public comment at the Keystone Central School District board meeting on May 7; the board did not adopt any motion at that meeting to reduce Bucktail programs, and no formal administrative proposal to eliminate athletics was presented at the meeting.
