Following a recent vote, members of the Sidney Central School Alumni Association Board of Directors announced cancellation of the group’s annual All-Class Reunion & Alumni Weekend, scheduled for July 17-19 in Sidney.

According to a written statement from SCSAA President Doug Sheldon, 16 board members voted unanimously to cancel the event, citing concerns around the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus.

Members will explore the possibility of hosting a revised reunion later this year, he noted, with the “understanding that any reopening of the state would carry social-distancing requirements limiting large gatherings.”

The board, Sheldon said, is scheduling a meeting for later this month “to study and propose possible rescheduling of reunion events for late this fall.” Such an event would likely take place in early October, he said.

According to Sheldon, the decision to cancel was further motivated by the group’s demographics and logistical concerns. “The most vulnerable of us, now defined as 51 years old and older, make up such a large percentage of our members,” he said. “SCSAA should not be ethically or legally in a position of encouraging gatherings that would cause the spread of COVID-19 or violate state regulations, (and) SCSAA would not be able to provide masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for all attendees in all situations.”

According to sidneyalumni,org, SCSAA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving alumni, school and community.

For more information and continuing announcements, visit sidneyalumni.org or find “Sidney Central School Alumni Association” on Facebook.

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