Dr. Paul Seversky, a demographer with Advisory Solutions, is an expert on enrollment projections. He completed two comprehensive demographic studies on the Goshen School District, one in January 2006, and the other in August 2007. He has had discussions on planning with municipal officials from the five towns within our District, spoken to local realtors, examined birth rates, analyzed migration patterns, and has reviewed multiple economic factors pertaining to the growth in our area.

According to Dr. Seversky, “The data indicates that student enrollment will grow significantly over the next ten years in the Goshen Central School District.”

Set aside for the moment, the demographic study and consider the following:

• One in four residents in Orange County have moved here within the last five years;
• Forty-percent of Orange County residents have lived here ten years or less;
• A median priced home in Orange County is in the $300,000 range while a comparable home in Westchester County is in the mid $500,000 range;
  • People can move to Orange County and maintain or improve their quality of life;
• One simply needs to look at the type and number of stores and restaurants in our area. These businesses were only built after extensive marketing research;
• A new state of the art hospital (ORMC) is currently under construction;
• The New York/New Jersey Port Authority has just taken over Stewart Airport and has plans to develop it into the fourth major jet port of the metropolitan area;
• The “Quickway” (depending upon the day and the hour), Route 84, and the Thruway provide access and egress to and from our area;
• Warwick, Cornwall, Newburgh, Middletown, Chester, and Minisink have all had major capital projects within the last five years to address their growing enrollments;
• Even if new construction slows, our schools will still grow as a result of the sale of existing homes.
  • Most of the re-sales in the town and village are selling to families with children.

Another very important point to consider: Goshen is a very desirable place in which to live. It is a quaint and beautiful town/village with thriving businesses and a true sense of community. There are wonderful recreational opportunities for “kids” and adults in a community which is safe. Goshen has very good schools. In a way, we may be a victim of our own success, because good schools don’t just happen. A great school system is a collaborative effort stemming from:

• Community support and the value residents place on education;
• A school that offers a varied curriculum with good teaching and sound educational planning.

Families with children planning to move most often select their new homes based upon the quality of the schools. If a community doesn’t have a school district with an excellent reputation, they tend not to grow as fast. Another point to consider is that home value is directly related to the quality of the school district. A community’s greatest asset and investment is its schools.

All of the data indicates our school and community will continue to grow. It is incumbent upon all of us to meet that challenge and provide for the educational needs of our children.

Roy Reese, Superintendent of Schools