Eastchester Superintendent: Additional Space is a "Pressing Need"

The Eastchester Board of Education has voted on a plan to add classroom space and perform some renovation to the Middle School. The Board has been discussing the pressing need for additional space at both the Middle School and the High School for several years. However, in light of concerns about the economy, they decided to focus on the Middle School only at this point.Adding classrooms to the Middle School will also free up some classroom space in the High School currently occupied by the Middle School.

The date for the public to vote on the bond has been set for October 12.

The Board’s primary concern is the negative impact overcrowding has on educational programs and opportunities for students.The Board also indicated that this project is simpler than prior designs, responding to suggestions from the public to keep the project to the bare requirements and the lowest cost.

Even though existing space has been reconfigured, including the use of closets and old bathrooms, both buildings are operating above their capacity. Capacity is based on guidelines set by the State Education Department. The MS is currently over capacity by 181 students and this number will grow to 275 by 2016. The HS is currently serving 107 students more than its capacity and this number will be 178 by 2020. These projections are based on actual current enrollment and does not account for increases in the next few years.

An analysis by architect Russ Davidson shows that students are currently being taught in space that does not even compare to what schools in New York City have. This problem will worsen as larger classes move in the secondary buildings.

The cost of the bond is $12,797,372. For a home with an average assessment of 10,000, this means an estimated additional $136 dollars in annual taxes, based on current assessments. Borrowing would be considered long term debt, with repayment spread out over 20 years. Interest rates are low at this time, which will keep borrowing costs down.

The work at the Middle School will include the addition of 14 classrooms, expansion of the cafeteria, some space reconfiguration, an elevator (required by law), and significant energy efficient improvements in heating and lighting.

Based on an updated timeline, it is now anticipated that the project will be largely completed by the fall of 2013.

It has been more than 10 years since any school expansion has been done in the District and the enrollment has increased significantly in that time period. The Board stresses that this project is needed to accommodate students that are already in the district, based on current enrollment. For example, the current third grade class totals 280 students. Without additional classroom space, their class size, when they reach 6^th grade in 2014, will be 28-30 students per class, in excess of State Education Department recommended guidelines.

For more information on the enrollment growth in the district, go to the web site at www.Eastchester.k12.ny.us to view the Enrollment and Capacity presentation by Ron Hattar, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Polling locations for the bond vote are at the Eastchester Middle School and 235 Garth Road Community Room (for Garth Road residents only). Polls will be open from 6am-9pm.