|
|
 |
Ask the Superintendent - September 19, 2007
During the last year, I have often referenced
growth in our community, increased traffic, and how
quickly our enrollment is growing. You may also
recall from previous articles, the stated mission of
the District’s Growth Task Force. By way of review,
the Growth Task Force is a committee of concerned
citizens, business people, parents, a realtor, town
and village officials, PTO members, teachers,
administrators, and the architects for the district,
who have been studying the impact of growth and the
subsequent increase in enrollment in our schools.
For the past 2½ years the members have met monthly,
taken bus tours throughout the community, made
school visits to campuses in neighboring counties,
and reviewed the recommendations from many experts.
On March 26, 2007, the Growth Task Force and the
architect for the school district made a preliminary
presentation on their findings to the Board of
Education. Since that time, with the aid of two
professional demographic studies, an additional
Summary Recommendation from the Growth Task Force,
conceptual drawings which have been revised again
and again from KG & D Architects, the Board of
Education has carefully reviewed a myriad of options
to address the current and anticipated growth in our
schools.
Earlier this year in an effort to be proactive, the
Board commenced a SEQRA review for a proposed
expansion, rehabilitation and site improvement. Also
selected, after an extensive interview process, was
a construction management firm to review and refine
potential construction costs. On Monday, September
10th and Tuesday, September 11th, the Board held two
comprehensive workshop sessions that were open to
the public to review all of the data relating to a
potential capital project. A demographer from
AdvisorySolutions, an architect from the firm of KG
& D, and a construction manger from Andron
Construction have been working very closely with the
Board of Education sharing their expertise and
answering the board’s questions. Consideration to
enter into a capital project to address our
increasing enrollment has been long and very
comprehensive. Multiple options have been studied
from the construction of new buildings, to the
purchase of land, to additions and renovations of
existing schools, potential costs, construction
timetables, and the financial impact to district
residents.
In next week’s column I will share additional
information on this topic.
Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools
|
|
|
