ELIZABETHTOWN — Plans for a new school campus are gaining steam as the public learns more about options for the Boquet Valley Central School District.
The move is being necessitated by the need for improvements to aging buildings and infrastructure and the distance between buildings and facilities in the district.
More than 50 interested parties recently attended one in a series of public meetings to provide information concerning the options and costs associated for Boquet Valley to accommodate current and future needs.
BVCS was formed in 2019 with the incorporation of the Elizabethtown /Lewis and Westport central schools. Since the district’s inception, consideration had been given as to the options of doing major repairs at the two facilities, putting kindergarten through 12th grade in one of the current buildings by adding an addition, or building a new campus.
BVCS Superintendent Joshua R. Meyer said factors that were the impetus for the merger included finance/budget, more opportunities and experiences.
As for the possibility for a new campus, Meyer related that since the merger, many problems have cropped up with the facilities. These include major repairs, operations such as bussing, as well as new requirements by the State Education Department.
Alternatives to remedy the situations include constructing a new campus, major repairs to both current school buildings and bus garage, or do nothing.
“I adamantly feel doing nothing is not an option,” Meyer said.
OPTIONS
Among the advantages for a new facility include: One campus; mentoring between grades; state-of the-art facilities; no bussing between sites; sports practices and games on site; as well as financial incentives.
Currently, Camp Dudley in Westport has allowed the soccer program to use its fields, which though is appreciated, is 15 miles from the high school campus.
Jason Welch, speaking on behalf of those on the Facilities Committee that had evaluated the proposed projects, said, “It’s been a long process. We have tried to be objective. The committee included members of the faculty and a cross-section of the community. The toughest part was dealing with State Ed. Initially, the site selection was a big challenge as we looked at a lot of options, and we chose the Thrall Dam site.”
Mike Harris, architect from the BCA group which was chosen to design the proposed campus, added, “Originally there were 14 sites. Thrall Dam is basically flat. It has a perfect Adirondack atmosphere. About 40 acres will be used, while the building will be 120,000 square feet. The current two buildings are 130,000 square feet. The building will fit in well with nature.”
Paul Lamoy, a project manager of Schoolhouse Construction Services of Delhi, concurred with the site selection as it would require less preparation.
Dr. Rick Timbs discussed finances where state funding for a new facility would cover 60 percent of the project at 90 percent. In addition, BVCS has already earmarked $5 million for the project’s down payment.
Renovations to the current facilities would not be reimbursed. As far as negotiating with the state, Timbs said, “We got all we could get.”
Options include a new campus at the Thrall Dame site at $63,714,975. Mountain View Campus expansion would run $48,030,819 while Lake View would cost $64,288,397 should it become one campus.
Other considerations are a 30-year bond to help pay for a new facility verses 15-year bonding for renovations or adding to the Mountain Lake Campus.
As far as projected taxes, it was pointed out that the capital project rate would be $13.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is less than the pre-merger rate of $14.25.
Concerns for the future of the current buildings were addressed. The Mountain View Campus will be transferred to Essex County in exchange for the Thrall Dam site. As for the Mountain View Campus, no decisions on its sale can be made until after the project is approved.
BUILDING PROBLEMS
Facilities Committee member Sheera Broderick initially was not sure if constructing a new building was the right plan.
“After studying all options and the problems associated with the current buildings I am convinced the new building is the best and most efficient way,” she said.
Several teachers spoke of the problems they are encountering including having to keep many windows open due to the inability to regulate heat, and nails and broken tiles on classroom floors.
Meyer thanked the committee members.
“They made sure no stone was left unturned,” he said.
BVCS Director of Facilities Bob Rice pointed out some of many concerns in the Westport facility. These included: Need for a new roof; leakage from the roof, brick siding, and foundation; flooring, some which contains asbestos which has to be replaced; and heat throughout much of the building which requires windows kept open.
After the presentation, Meyer said, “The public has been asking all of the right questions. It is encouraging that the questions and the feedback from the public acknowledge that the district is in need of a multi-million dollar major project.”
Meyer said anticipating a mid-February vote, the district has about three months for the community to ask questions and get the information they need to understand the challenges that the district is facing with the current facilities.
“I can’t say enough about the thoroughness of the Facilities Committee and the Board of Education,” Meyer said.
“I encourage any community member to talk to any member of the board or facilities committee, to attend a public forum, or to contact me to get the answers they need and the most updated numbers to be an informed voter in February.”