WESTPORT — State Sen. Dan Stec and Assemblyman Matt Simpson, joined by several parents and community members, toured Boquet Valley Central School’s Lake View Campus to familiarize themselves with the district’s pressing needs.
The event was sponsored by the Boquet Valley Federation of Teachers to bring awareness to the deteriorating conditions and health hazards inside and surrounding the facility.
First grade teacher and BVFT co-president Amy Welch led the tour.
“We want to bring to light the reasons for a new building for the 21st Century,” Welch said as she showed several large photographs depicting damage.
A proclamation from the BVFT stated, “From falling ceiling tiles and leaking light fixtures to lead in the water and asbestos in the flooring, the nearly 100-year-old building is in dire shape and not a suitable learning or working environment for students and staff. and the district’s Mountain View Campus in Elizabethtown isn’t much better.
“BVFT members will be uniting to urge the public to vote yes on Feb. 15 for Proposition 1, which green lights a capital improvement project to bring both campus communities under one roof and construct a new K-12 public school, bus garage, and athletic fields. Our current and future Griffins are counting on us to provide them with a safer, more modern educational experience.”
RAIN BUCKETS
As they toured the facility, stepping around buckets put in place to catch water after the next rainstorm, the group witnessed water stains on floors and missing ceiling tiles, as well as signs posted on sinks indicating the water was not safe for drinking.
Among other things, they felt the uneven heat and learned about the system, and squeezed into spaces used for tutoring and counseling.
Pointing to damage in the library, BVCS Superintendent Joshua Meyer said, “This is not an unusual occurrence. When it rains we almost expect it. There has been roof leakage since 2000.”
BVFT co-president Julie Bisselle added, “In spite of conditions like this we do amazing things here.”
While in the music room it was pointed out that the instruments had to be kept in a certain area to avoid damage from abrupt changes in temperature as well as leakage. In the room designated for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) the Wi-Fi was classified as, “hit or miss” due to the thick walls.
While in the boiler room, Irwin “Sonny” Calkins of maintenance and Meyer discussed what is being done to try to ameliorate the heating problems. He also mentioned difficulties of transporting students between the schools and activities.
The solons also looked out over the school grounds of which they were apprised of flooding in the playground area after rains, as well as lack of parking space for staff and visitors.
BVCS School Social worker Shannon Baumann invited the group into her room in which she attempts to make comfortable for the students she counsels.
“The first thing they notice is the ceiling falling apart and rain coming in. We do our very best. The students deserve better than this,” she said.
“We are asked all the time why we don’t just replace the ceiling tiles. We do that all the time,” Meyer said.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Simpson (R-Horicon) said such conditions would not be acceptable in any public housing.
“I have seen a lot more deterioration from when I visited this school last year,” he said.
One of the parents on the tour, Tate Connor, has children on both campuses.
“They are all over the place. We talk about the price for a new building, but the way it is now is a massive expense. It’s a massive expense for a family like mine. It’s also a distraction from learning,” Connor said.
“I want the best for my kids and not have an environment where they have to worry about all the extra stuff going on. My kids are excited for a new campus.”
Following the tour, Stec (R-Queensbury) said, “Certainly there are all kinds of problems with a 91 year-old and 70 year-old buildings due to age. I wholly support building a new building. It is not an easy decision. Safety is job one and we need to plan for the future. We need to look at the bigger picture.”
Stec referred to the “war” between Upstate and Downstate for funding.
“State Education Department was not consulted by the governor’s office. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle are upset about this. Society benefits from public schools. I would suspect parents would say, ‘Yes, it’s time for a new building.’”
Simpson added, “The issues are more evident. I would be advocating for a change.”
Following the tour, Meyer said, “I appreciate Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Matt Simpson taking the time to tour our Lake View Campus and engage with our community’s concerns. Their visit arranged by BVFT leadership and NYSUT provided an opportunity to showcase firsthand the urgent capital improvements needed for our students.
“A major issue for our taxpayers is the gap between the 90.1% building aid we anticipated from the state and the actual funding allotted. Additionally, the aging infrastructure of both our campuses requires immediate attention. Both Senator Stec and Assemblyman Simpson understand these challenges, have been advocates for our district in Albany, and remain committed to securing resources vital to our mission of providing excellence in education.”