Update - June 22, 2026
Good evening,
Tonight we are writing to provide you with an important update regarding the status of the Cazenovia Board of Education following the arrest of Board Member Travis Barr on Thursday, June 18.
As we communicated on Saturday, June 20, the Board of Education issued a formal demand for Mr. Barr’s immediate resignation, establishing a strict deadline of today, Monday, June 22, at 12:00 PM. Mr. Barr did not resign by that deadline. Consequently, the Board of Education has moved forward tonight with the process of filing formal administrative charges to remove him from his seat on the Board.
To keep our community informed, we want to share how this legal process works. Under New York State Education Law, Mr. Barr was elected by the public to a three-year term on the Board of Education in 2024, and cannot be suspended, censured or reprimanded. Under New York State law, the Board’s only recourse to address misconduct by an elected board member is removal from the Board. There are only three legal pathways by which a board member can be removed from office when the legal threshold has been met:
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Resignation by the board member. Mr. Barr has not formally resigned.
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A formal administrative hearing held before an independent hearing officer. This action was unanimously approved by resolution at tonight’s special meeting. If he were to resign prior to this hearing being conducted, that would eliminate the need for a hearing.
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An official removal order issued by the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This process typically takes the longest of the three options.
Because Mr. Barr has not yet formally resigned, the Board is pursuing a formal hearing, which is the most expedient path to his removal. By law, there is a mandatory 10-day statutory waiting period from the time the Board officially levies the charges to the date when the formal removal hearing can legally convene. This timeframe ensures due process under state regulations.
As communicated on Friday, June 19, the district has barred Mr. Barr from all school property, buildings, and district-sponsored events, and this directive remains strictly in effect.
The Board of Education and District Administration remain committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff, maintaining the integrity of our governance, and upholding the values of the Cazenovia community. We will continue to provide updates as the legal process permits.
Cazenovia Board of Education
