CHENANGO COUNTY – Countering cutbacks outlined in the Governor’s state budget proposal that would remove state troopers from schools, the Senate majority will take action on a comprehensive plan to “enhance school safety and ensure the well-being of millions of children across the state,” it was annnounced last week.

Following a recent public hearing where state troopers made a case to keep the school resource officer program available to over 100 school districts state-wide, the Senate has stated it will do what it can to restore the program and continue to look for funding to keep children in New York safe.

Area school districts – Otselic Valley, Oxford, Greene, Sherburne-Earlville and Unadilla Valley – currently receive aid from the New York State Police with the School Resource Officer (SRO) program as well as funding to ensure new district employees have background checks.

Unadilla Valley Superintendent Robert Mackey said, “ The program is invaluable to schools and communities and every effort should be made to maintain that.” He called the Senate’s action “good news” and said he hoped the Assembly would follow suit.

The Senate’s three-prong plan, which will be voted on this week, includes:

• Rejecting the Governor’s budget proposal to remove 92 officers from school buildings.