Town backs school districts effort to recruit Greenwood Lake high school students
WARWICK The town board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution welcoming Greenwood Lake high school students to the Warwick Valley High School.
Councilman James Gerstner voiced strong support for the measure that would also provide taxpayers in the Greenwood Lake School District with tax relief from lower tuition for the 260 students.
The state will not permit Greenwood Lake to build its own high school. So since 1981, Greenwood Lake students have attended George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo. That contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 school year. Greenwood Lake is seeking to negotiate a tuition rate below the formula that establishes tuition for students from outlying districts.
Warwick Valley and Chester school officials, as well as the incumbents from Tuxedo, are all vying for the students.
Theyre our kids and they ought to go to our school, said Supervisor Michael Sweeton at the regular meeting of the board on Feb. 16 at Town Hall.
The town supports the Warwick Valley School Districts efforts to attract the Greenwood Lake students. Town officials also said they want the high-schoolers to join their peers from across the town and hope the resolution will help heal the hurt feelings from 2007 when Warwick voters rejected having Greenwood Lake students attend the local high school.
Although Monroe-Woodbury has already declined to accept the students the Chester School District remains a contender although its voters also rejected the students in 2007. Greenwood Lake is seeking to negotiate a tuition rate below the formula that establishes tuition for students from outlying districts. The school district also could opt to continue sending its students to Tuxedo.
(Tuition) is much higher than if they went to Warwick, said the supervisor ,who acknowledged that ultimately it is up to the Greenwood Lake School District to decide.
Many school districts are taking another look at accepting tuitioned students given the new state law limiting school district tax increases to 2 percent unless 60 percent of voters agree to override it.
In other news: The supervisor is urging residents to support the Sugar Loaf Sunday Socials. Upcoming socials are on Feb. 26 and March 25 at 4:30 p.m. at the Orange County Citizens Foundation. Call 845 469-9459 for tickets.
All proceeds go to the Farm Workers Community Center in Pine Island for distribution.
The board voted unanimously to increase penalties for offenses and impoundment fees for dogs after holding a public hearing on the matter on Feb. 3
The board voted unanimously to increase the standard Dial-A-Bus fare from $1 to $2 and the fare for seniors and disabled riders from $0.50 to $1. The board held a public hearing on the matter on Feb. 3
The Warwick Valley High School Crew Club will hold its annual regatta at the Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park on May 16 from 2 until 8 p.m.
The club will be co-hosting the Orange/Ulster Championships with the Tuxedo Crew Club.
The board reappointed Bill Wadeson to the Agricultural & Open Space Preservation Board for a five-year term.
The police report for the month of January included 219 calls from Greenwood Lake, 975 from the town, 251 from Pine Island and 705 from the Village of Warwick for a total of 2,150 calls for assistance
The next regular meeting of the board will be held on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Warwick Town Hall, 132 Kings Highway.
By Birgit Bogler