Otselic Valley sets date for referendum
SOUTH OTSELIC – On Nov. 18, voters in the Otselic Valley School District will be asked to vote on a capital project estimated at approximately $15.5 million.
For the past year, the Board of Education has been discussing the possibility of renovating and building an addition onto the high school building in South Otselic and creating a combined kindergarten through 12th grade classroom. Currently, the district is spread out, with more than 10 miles separating the elementary school in Georgetown and the high school in South Otselic.
The board decided to pursue the plan for the combined campuses after receiving a building condition report last year. The board examined three options: merging with other school districts, updating both buildings, or combining the campuses. They decided on the combined campus.
Roy Herfort, from the Greenwood Corporation, a construction management company, attended Wednesday night’s meeting of the Board of Education to explain what steps need to take place. “We’re still waiting for [New York State Education Department] review, but the plan has been submitted,” he said. “We should have a formal response next week.”
The board voted to hold a public referendum on Nov. 18. A minimum of three public meetings will be held to discuss the project before that time.
The building plans call for a new wing to be added onto the back side of the high school building, creating a second cafeteria and gymnasium, a new library, and classroom space. An addition would also be built on the second story of the building creating science rooms with more lab space than currently available, and several additional classrooms. The plans also call for the renovation of some existing features, including repositioning the main office closer to the entrance. The parking lot, bus garage, and athletic fields would also be altered.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Greenwood representative said the best alternative for the elementary school would be to sell the building out right. “The building needs preservation and utilization,” Herfort said. He mentioned possibilities such as a retirement home or an assisted living facility. “It has been done before,” he said, explaining that the process is slow due to the size of the building and the property.
Dates for public meetings have not yet been set, but district Superintendent Lawrence Thomas said he hopes to hold an informational meeting for the public on the opening day of school.
For the past year, the Board of Education has been discussing the possibility of renovating and building an addition onto the high school building in South Otselic and creating a combined kindergarten through 12th grade classroom. Currently, the district is spread out, with more than 10 miles separating the elementary school in Georgetown and the high school in South Otselic.
The board decided to pursue the plan for the combined campuses after receiving a building condition report last year. The board examined three options: merging with other school districts, updating both buildings, or combining the campuses. They decided on the combined campus.
Roy Herfort, from the Greenwood Corporation, a construction management company, attended Wednesday night’s meeting of the Board of Education to explain what steps need to take place. “We’re still waiting for [New York State Education Department] review, but the plan has been submitted,” he said. “We should have a formal response next week.”
The board voted to hold a public referendum on Nov. 18. A minimum of three public meetings will be held to discuss the project before that time.
The building plans call for a new wing to be added onto the back side of the high school building, creating a second cafeteria and gymnasium, a new library, and classroom space. An addition would also be built on the second story of the building creating science rooms with more lab space than currently available, and several additional classrooms. The plans also call for the renovation of some existing features, including repositioning the main office closer to the entrance. The parking lot, bus garage, and athletic fields would also be altered.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Greenwood representative said the best alternative for the elementary school would be to sell the building out right. “The building needs preservation and utilization,” Herfort said. He mentioned possibilities such as a retirement home or an assisted living facility. “It has been done before,” he said, explaining that the process is slow due to the size of the building and the property.
Dates for public meetings have not yet been set, but district Superintendent Lawrence Thomas said he hopes to hold an informational meeting for the public on the opening day of school.
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