I graduated CCHS in 1998, one of the last classes in the old high school ... during the time they were arguing to build the new one ... If I remember correctly the current middle school was designed so that a second level could be added if the population increased .... if we need to pay for all of these updates now, why did we have to pay for an entire new school then?

Wow this is a great proposal! Yes there is some updating going on, but most of these projects are additions to make Cornwall and the Cornwall Schools better. Frankly, I would like to see the "100 Acre Woods" (a "temporary" structure built years and years ago at Lee Road) rebuilt so that when the wind blows too hard the kids don't have to be evacuated for safety concerns. I would also like to see the band/choir room restored at the Middle School for those excellent programs.
The current gym at the high school, while appealing in a minimalist way, is, just that, minimal and barely adequate. The ventilation system seems incapable of moving excess heat out of the structure during athletic/graduation events and can be very uncomfortable.
Indoor running facilities and exercise space for students and the community sounds very good. A new artificial athletic field would be good too. The current grass field is overused and not good for many contests or events. And while I appreciate the fantastic, community, volunteer effort to build the press box at the current field I wish its placement was better planned so that all seats had a view of the field. If these facilities are able to produce some revenues to help offset their costs, I'm all for that.
Personally, I would trade a night out at Painter's once a year to receive the year-round advantages these new planned facilities would bring to Cornwall, my hometown. Thanks to the Strines, our Board of Education, Administration and Kevin Quigley for making this proposal, it seems to be very well planned, unlike the Football Field Pressbox.

OMG! - $39.1 million expansion because we have 12 more students than budgeted? 5,000 households in Cornwall would shoulder $7,800 of debt each. No matter how you do the math - that doesn't equal one dinner out at Painters Tavern per year. Given the economy and the current level of taxation, this proposal and the proposed Orange County Government Center both seem ill-timed and ill-advised.

There have only been a few building permits in Cornwall for each of the last two years. During this economic downturn nationwide there have been fewer births and fewer new households formed. There isn't any growth on the horizon so why consider expansion now? It would certainly be cheaper to add temporary trailers for additional classrooms until permanent increased demand for services and facilities can be demonstrated.

Wouldn't the money be better spent improving AP and trades coursework to better prepare kids for college or immediate employment following graduation? More and better sports are a luxury - not an educational necessity. Better sports facilities won't attract more families to Cornwall if accompanied by higher taxes. This proposal should not be considered unless it is part of a more broad town[s]-wide examination of existing assets, overhead and development. There are too many unsettled issues like NYMA to consider a project of this magnitude in isolation.

Why dont we NOT blow 39 million dollars, put the money from the fund raising into NYMA, and share their facilities? They are right adjacent to the middle school, and we could cut the cost ... not everyone in Cornwall and COH has kids you know; while NO ONE argues the purpose of a good education, as previously stated the sport are NOT a necessity

Just a small point/question...why does our varsity football team not play home games at the high school? If it is because of field/stands issues, why, then, don't we upgrade that field so home games can truly be played at home.

If the football field for the middle school could be omitted the money for that could be used to assist in the riding facility at NYMA ... then the Cornwall sports could include equitation ... the facility they have does not have a ring, and other than seasonal trail rides, from what I got when I called the school was that they have fields, a couple paddoks and trails ... if an indoor ring was built there the school could actually generate capital and the school district would have a stake in the land it was used for

This proposal is ridiculous at this time. If Cornwall is indeed near to retiring debt, the savings should be passed on to the taxpayers and additional debt in these times of high unemployment should be avoided. An artificial turf proposal was put up for vote in Monroe-Woodbury and soundly defeated-for good reason. Even the pro teams are returning to natural surfaces because they cause less injuries. I can't believe with the precarious and capricious nature of our state finances that this proposal ever made it out of committee. Reserve these findings for when the "good times" return. These are not "good times" right now. I have to say that in the 27 years I have lived in Cornwall, I have only voted no once on a school budget. This proposal would most definitely get a second "no" vote.

The article stated $13.9 million would be Cornwall's share for this proposal. Accuracy counts if an intelligent discussion is to be pursued.

Current building projects undertaken by the School District (elevators at elementary schools, HVAC work at the middle school) are coming in way under cost estimates because of the weak economy. People need to work and they will work cheaper in bad times, so the timing to build is now.

The Cornwall Central School District has nothing to do with NYMA, that is a Town and Village issue.

Regarding, the High School football field, it was poorly sighted and placed too close to the property line with insufficient space for stands. If the District could buy more land on the far side of the field then something could be done to make that a stadium.

Lastly, it is better to play on artificial turf than mud. Some pro teams are switching to grass. They can do this because their fields are not overused. If we wanted similar grass fields we would have to contruct more fields and monitor their usage more closely so that they survive.

The cost of the PROJECT is is not 13 million, the state funding could go to things better than anything I read in this article. Yes, the school might need some updating, but not 39 million worth ... if the cost to the tax payers is ONLY 13 million, then there could be NO cost to the tax payers if the frivolous things, like the football field are taken out ... Since when does Cornwall NEED a football stadium? And how many tax payers would actually BENEFIT from that cost???
No, NYMA has nothing to do with the school district, but the fact is it actually has nothing to do with the town or village either. It is not the town or villages business if the school goes under, any more than it is the municipalities business if a private residence gets foreclosed ... The issue with NYMA is that the town and village want to have an idea as a community what is happening with a track of land that big ... one of the recent issues with the school that has been brought up is the riding stables. I own a horse, and I have worked at riding academies, so I called to get some info... the school has no place for a riding academy to start, because there is no real place to ride... there are fields, and 2 paddoks (small rings that horses chill out in, not ride in) and trails ... I thought as a community NYMA was an issue ... if the town and village have a desire to get involved, then the school district is a good idea where to start ... we could share their facilities, and help them offset capital, and still be able to get something back for the town ...

Actually, the idea that the football fields at the CURRENT high school brings me back to my original post - work with what we already HAVE, dont build something NEW. If you are telling me the football field at the current high school is poorly sited, I will counter with it was JUST built in the past decade ... the tax payers fought for years about building a new high school and in the end, in the past decade, the cost for a new one was footed (at least in part) by the tax payers, and now the tax payers are being told that we need to pay for another new field at the current middle school, the old high school, because the new one at the new high school is poorly sited, and artificial turf is better anyway?? What about 10 years from now when other new parents in this town want new facilities?? How are we going to keep paying for it? The school district is contained in the town, and is an educational institution, if we as a town are going to get involved in the situation at NYMA we would better be looking at how to buddy up the costs for education for both our school district and the private school together, rather than spending frivolous amounts on sports and asking the town to figure out otherwise how they are helping the academy

NYMA is certainly in the hearts of many residents of Cornwall. Melissa, your are clearly passionate about the issues. Get involved with what is really at stake with Cornwall. Look at past posts about the alleged issues facing the academy. Perhaps the School Board will take some initiative to talk with NYMA about education. Could there be a vocational school at NYMA? Lets get this on the right track. Keep up the enthusiasm Cornwall needs young bright, energetic individuals like you.

"Economic conditions are favorable to undertake a construction project at this time"? Give me a break! Are you totally oblivious to what the school taxes are doing to us retirees? The US economy has been destroyed by the politicians and far too many people don't have jobs.......NY State is taxing us to death...and the government is threatening far sweeping new taxes .... Social Security cost of living was cut out. This insane thirst for spending of our money has got to stop. Oh yes, and has anyone pondered how much more taxes it will take to keep this new proposed facilities expansion running? I sure hope everyone considers all this if we get a chance to vote this proposal down. Why is it that everytime the school district gets finished paying off debts with the possibility of giving us taxpayers a break they see the opportunity to unload more debt to the community? Enough is enough!