Hendrick Hudson Considering Multi-Million Dollar Bond
Despite concerns from two residents that the current economic climate was not the appropriate time, the Hendrick Hudson School District appears poised to put a multi-million capital projects bond before the voters in December.
At the Sept. 21 board of education meeting, district administrators and board members expressed support for a 20-year bond recommended by the Facilities Committee that would cost over $25 million for projects, though the committee has not come up with a final dollar figure.
Under consideration are plans to reconfigure the high school auditorium to covert into a “community performing arts center” and possibly increase the facilities seating from the 850 to 1,000. Also at the high school, the bond could include instructional space improvements, the reconfiguration of a science lab and a classroom to accommodate a bio-medical and science research program, and enhancement of the school’s athletic fields.
The bond could potentially include the improvement of performing arts spaces at the district’s two elementary schools. At the middle school the bond could include plans to renovate classrooms and improve a lab to accommodate life science and river ecology classes and improve the school’s performing arts center. The other potential projects in the bond would be upgrades of the district’s technology infrastructure, some furniture replacement, replacement of the high school gym roof; the rehabilitation of septic fields at Blue Mountain Middle School and Furnace Woods Elementary Schools; and the repair and replacement of a portion of the Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School roof.
The initial estimate for the bond by the Facilities Committee was $30.1 million. However, Facilities Committee members said they would come back with a lesser amount as part of their final recommendation to the school board on Oct. 12.
Based on a $29 million bond, there would be $110 in additional taxes on the average home in the Peekskill section of in the 2015-16 school year (the fist year in which the 20-year bond would be paid back); $218 the next year, and $213 the following year. In the Cortlandt section of the school district, the additional taxes would be $212 in 2015-16 school year; $420 the next year; and $410 in the following year.
The school board did not come to any decision as to the cost of the bond and did not vote on the bond, which if okayed would be up to the voters on Dec.14.
The concept of a bond was supported by several parents, students and school district officials during the Sept. 21 school board meeting.
Hendrick Hudson High School senior Lily Evans said she supported the bond even though she will graduate before the renovations would be implemented. Evans, who is active in the chorus program, said it was particularly important to renovate and expand the high school auditorium. “We are working with a facility that is not up-to-date and can’t really accommodate the work we are doing,” she said.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel McCann said passage of the bond would be “addressing our needs in academics, arts, athletics and capital.”
Parent Debbie Migliore, co-chair of the Parents Committee on Music, said the performing arts center and other projects being considered for the bond were needed. “The children are our future,” she said, adding she applauded the “courage” of district officials in considering “a bond of this scope” in the current difficult economic times
But a large scale bond was not unanimously supported during the meeting. Resident John DeBenedictus said now was not the time to put up a capital projects bond. Though those involved with the schools may be in support of the bond, others will oppose it because they are not willing to pay increased taxes, he said. “The people you really haven’t spoken to are the people who pay the bills,” he said.
“Hendrick Hudson has to go back to being an academic powerhouse,” DeBenedictus said.
District officials defended the quality of education provided in response to DeBendtictus’ comments. “I take exception that we’re not an academic powerhouse,” school board president Marion Walsh said, adding that Hendrick Hudson had one of the most successful educational programs in the region.
McCann told DeBenedictus, “This is an academic powerhouse.” McCann said. even though Hendrick Hudson was successful, “We do need better facilities.”
Another critic of the bond was resident Terry Pierce, who said he and his children were graduates of the district and the district helped him and his children to be successful in their fields. But Pierce said he could not support the bond. “I got a great education, but without all of this stuff,” he said. Pierce said in putting together the bond district officials did not speak with seniors and homeowners who cannot afford higher taxes. “You haven’t done your homework,” Pierce said. Now is “the wrong time” for a bond, he said.
But earlier in the meeting, school board trustee Charles Thompson said the current economic climate was the right time to put up a major bond for voter approval. “Sometimes you have to try to create a new reality in hard times,” Thompson said.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Enrique Catalan also said 2011 was a good time for a bond because interest rates are very low and many contactors would seek to implement bid for the projects at a lower cost than in a strong economy. “The cheapest way is to do it now,” he said.
The school board is scheduled to discuss the scope and cost of the bond when it meets on Oct. 12. The trustees are slated to approve the bond on Oct. 19.
