WVSD board considers capital projects

By Abby Wolf
WARWICK — As another school year begins, the Warwick Valley School District is contemplating repairs and renovations to its facilities.
Pending voter approval, the proposed capital project is expected to have no impact on local taxes, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach, at Monday night’s regular meeting of the Board of Education.
State aid will cover 63.8 percent of the cost; the balance will be paid for with funds set aside in the district’s capital reserve fund.
A state-mandated building condition survey done in 2016 involved “an extensive and independent inspection of all district buildings,” Leach said. The survey determined “infrastructural elements that are at or near the end of their useful lives,” he added.
Proposed work could include: roof work, masonry repairs, upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems and energy efficiency upgrades, as well as enhancements and improvements to classrooms and other instructional spaces, Leach said.
Both the school board and the district’s facilities planning committee will hold meetings in the coming weeks to determine the dimensions and extent of the proposed capital project.
The facilities committee meets next on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., followed by a BOE work session at 7 p.m.
Rotarians donate to ‘Odyssey’Warwick schools’ Odyssey of the Mind teams got a boost from the Warwick Valley Rotary Club: WV school board and Rotary Club member David Eaton presented the club with a $1,000 donation.
Upcoming work sessionsThe district’s next work sessions are scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, where the board will discuss capital projects and health insurance, respectively.
Dollar General grantThe school board accepted a $3,000 grant from Dollar General Stores for literacy supplies and general supplies for the 2017–18 school year.
Other businessAs part of a discussion concerning plans for the district’s future, Leach observed, “We have declining (student) enrollment in Orange County … but if we look at last year’s Kindergarten class compared with this year’s first grade, there are about 20 more (students).”
Leach pointed out similar trends in other grades in WV schools: There’s a “growing cohort” – more, apparently, than the district’s demographic studies indicated. “More and more families” with school-age children are enrolling in WVSD, Leach said. “We are seeing students from other districts moving to Warwick.”
Leach urged the BOE to be mindful of this situation, as they plan for staffing and instructional materials in future budgets.
Next Work session, capital projects – Sept. 25, 7 p.m., at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center.
Regular meeting – Oct. 16, 7 p.m., at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center.
Work session, health insurance – Oct. 30, 7 p.m., at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center.