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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: School Expansion Plans to be Presented
October 26, 2010
The Cornwall school district is planning a public forum to discuss the proposal for a $39.1 million expansion of facilities. The forum is scheduled for November 3 at 7 pm at the middle school. A public hearing on the proposal will be held at a future date.
Schools superintendent Timothy Rehm said that the forum is designed for community leaders who may have an interest in using the proposed athletic facility at the middle school. As envisioned, the 59,000 sq ft. building would include gymnasiums, a stage, kitchen and other resources that could be used by community groups after school hours or as a location for sports tournaments that could attract teams from throughout the area. New classrooms, a multi-media center and a second gymnasium are also part of the proposal. (Read more about the plans here.)
District Seeks Public Input of Its Plans
David Carnright, a school board member who also served on the facilities committee that drew up the proposals, said that everyone from business people to community sports people are invited to hear a presentation about the facilities proposal. They also want to listen, he said. “We want to hear people who think it is crazy and those who say ‘you forgot this and this’” Carnright explained at the BOE meeting on Monday night. “We want to move forward but nothing is set in stone. Space is getting worse and field conditions are taxed to the max.”
Carnright also proposed that members of the board of education and other interested parties visit a similar community facility in Rockland County to see how the local municipality that built it is able to operate it and gain revenue from its rental.
Economic Benefit Seen for Community
Carnright said after the board meeting that he believes the proposed facility on Main Street will contribute to the revitalization of the business district because athletic tournaments will bring fans to town in need of food and lodging.
Other board members brought forward concerns that they have heard from residents since the plan was unveiled earlier this month, including questions about the applicability of state aid and the projected growth in the student population.
Superintendent Rehm said that economic conditions are favorable to undertake a construction project at this time and stressed his role in planning for future growth. “You can’t ignore where the district will be in 10 or 20 years and I would be irresponsible if I didn’t report to the board that this is where we are going to be in 2020,” Rehm told the board of education, “We have to prepare for it.”
Comments:
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Oy Vey, We would really spend 39.1 million on mostly athletic improvements to meet an anticipated growth in population for 2020? Perhaps, as we are all aware, A strong offer to purchase NYMA, with the athletic fields, indoor pool, kitchens, and multitude of classrooms would save the Town 30 million. (previous offers to buy NYMA was 8 million as reported by this news source). It's not prudent nor a favorable time to expand in this way or at this cost. Has an economic study been done to prove that this is going to significantly improve the economics for main street businesses?. Glynwood Center in Putnam County conducted a study about 10 years ago regarding Main Street Cornwall, lets revisit it. This proposal is, in my opinion, poor judgement.
posted by j h on 10/26/10 at 6:41 PM
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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. B. Powell
posted by William Powell on 10/26/10 at 9:45 PM
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