Blind Brook Supt Says Survey Inaccurate

Supt conversation

At a community conversation with Blind Brook parents last week, Superintendent William Stark said he was shocked to see a number of the district's school buildings included in a Journal News report- Too Big to Fix- about deteriorating facilities.

"We would like to think the buidling conditions are very high," said Stark.

Based on the news story, Superintendent Stark sent an email to district parents and intends to address the matter in more detail at Monday's regular school district meeting. Stark says that he, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ross, and possibly a representative from KSG Architects will explain and answer any questions.

The survey rated the Ridge Street elementary school and Blind Brook middle and high school buildings on its list as "Unsatisfactory." All school buildings in neighboring Rye City School District were rated "Satisfactory.

The ratings were based upon survey responses to a state building condition survey submitted by KSG Architects, which represents the district.  Stark said KSG Architects reports a flaw was discovered in the design of the survey, but respondents were not given the opportunity to resubmit their answers.

Stark said relatively minor issues were the cause of the negative evaluations: a $5,900 water valve that regulates hot and cold water has already been ordered for the middle and high school, and the elementary school was deemed to have heating and ventilation issues.

According to the Journal News story, based on the state building condition surveys, 456 school buildings, nearly one third of facilities throughout the counted were found to be unsatisfactory by the New York State education department.

See the database online here.