On Thursday, June 22, we, the voters in the Sullivan West Central School District, will be voting on a building project with an estimated cost of $50 million dollars. The voters in the district will only have to pay for approximately $10 million of the project. The remaining $40 million will be funded through State Aid. Additionally, because of this aid, the increase in property taxation will not be reflected on our property tax bills until the fall of 2005, and will be spread out over 16 years.

One factor that residents should keep in mind is the economic benefit of this project, not only for Sullivan County as a whole, but especially to our part of the County. There is an economic theory called the "multiplier effect" which basically means that for every dollar spent there is a "trickling down" or "spin off" of additional spending or buying. For example if you pay a construction laborer $500 per week, he, in turn, will buy gas, food, clothes, and possibly room and board. Those businesses that he buys from will have additional revenue to spend elsewhere, and so on and so on. Also, once the building is operational, certain overhead costs will need to be purchased, such as garbage removal, utility services and ongoing repairs, all of which cause jobs.

The multiplier that was developed for Sullivan County is 2.28 times. That translates to a local investment of $10 million dollars causing additional spending of approximately $114 million dollars! That is a huge return on that much of a local investment. This is only possible because of the State Aid. There are not many on going projects in the county that generate that kind of economic benefit.

Another important factor to consider is the drawing power of a newly built centralized high school with educational advantages over other schools, as well as elementary and intermediate schools that meet State standards that are newly renovated and make a comfortable learning atmosphere. Any small business and or individual with children, that is looking to relocate to an area investigates the quality of the school system first and foremost. The school becomes one of the key decisions on where to move. Our new building will have that drawing power. Also, and most importantly, the end result of a good school system is often reflected in increased value of homes within the district.

Consider these factors in making an informed decision on June 22, and please vote. This project is for our children, but it's also for our economic future as well.

Anna M. Niemann, CPA

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

As a 1997 graduate of Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School (JYCS), I have stayed very interested in the merger of Narrowsburg, Delaware Valley, and JYCS. Looking back at my high school educational experience, I am very pleased with what I received; however, I know that it could have been better. Now a rising senior at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, I have had the opportunity to meet, as well as mentor, students who came from a diverse group of high schools. The one thing I have noticed is that students from larger high schools are better equipped for college from the simple fact that they were afforded more educational opportunities, as well as extra-curricular opportunities.

Looking at JYCS, the small number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and college-level courses offered puts students at a disadvantage. Even if a student were not to receive college credit for these high level classes, at least they have been exposed to the type of work and work-load that they will see in college. Therefore, their adjustment to college life will at least be that much easier. This small number of accelerated classes being offered is not the fault of anyone; it is intrinsically linked to the small pool of resources (money, staff, space, etc.) that a small school system can offer.

There are so many positive aspects of this merger, in terms of the students. First and foremost, there is the ability to take the positive programs of all three school systems and put them into one system. As well, this merged school system will have the resources to now eradicate the negative aspects of the three individual schools. Students will have more AP and college-level courses to choose from, more diversity in the courses offered, greater social diversity (which they will undoubtedly face in college) and, in terms of extra-curricular activities, a greater choice in clubs/organizations and more choice and competition in athletics.

It is also important to note that a merged school system has the ability to reward superior students, in terms of applying to colleges (i.e. being ranked 3rd out of 200 as opposed to being ranked 3rd out of 30). A merged school system also has the ability to provide the necessary help for students who need it, whether it is academic assistance or social counseling.

The most significant issue in this merger is meeting the needs of the students. Before the people of Jeffersonville, Callicoon, and Narrowsburg lays the opportunity to assist the students in gaining an improved opportunity for success in college, in the workforce, and in life. I encourage each and every one of you to look beyond any biases and personal difficulties and make an investment in the future of these students. As much as it sounds like a cliché, the students truly are the future of our towns, communities, and indeed, this nation. I implore you to please make the decisions that put the interests of the students first.

Luke A. Fedlam

JYCS Class of 1997

Winston-Salem, NC

To the editor:

As a Guidance Counselor in the Sullivan West School District, I do not often comment in the public forum on public issues. There are some observations I would like to make on the new building project. How we approach the upcoming vote on the new building will define us as a new district. Over the past few years I have had many discussions with people on both sides of the merger issue. I have found people on both sides of the merger issue who are "pro-education" with different points of view on the advantages' and disadvantages of a larger school district. There were valid arguments on both sides. The voters of the district voted to merge the three school districts and we have an upcoming vote on a building project in the near future. This vote should not be a vote of victor vs. vanquished on the merger issue. It should be a vote on a project that will provide us an opportunity to define what education in the Sullivan West School District will mean. We can establish a new progressive environment from which to educate our young people and serve our enlarged community.

I was asked by the administration of our school to review the proposed new high school to determine its ability to meet both the student population and academic program needs. After several days and many hours of number crunching, reviewing the building plan and discussions with my colleagues, I reviewed with both the administration and representatives of the architectural firm my findings. After much informed discussion, the building plans were adapted to deal with the space and academic issues my research discovered. It is for this reason I believe that this building plan will not follow the path of the "94" building in which the taxpayers of Jeffersonville were straddled with a flawed building with no furniture. The architect and school administration have made a great effort to research our district needs for this project. Nothing built by man is perfect but I am encouraged we are heading in the right direction.

So if your primary concern is for the quality of education of our children, then I believe whether you supported the merger or not, you should vote yes on the building proposal. If you have a concern on the financing of this project (and who doesn't) then I also believe you should vote yes. Clouding the issue of funding of this project was the initial idea that 95% of all cost would be funded by the State. For those of us who experienced the financing of "94" building, the fact that the project will not be totally financed at 95% made us understandably nervous. The fact remains that the total financial package, which includes the badly needed rehabilitation of the older buildings in our district, is the best available and needs to be taken advantage of. If we do not vote yes on this building project we will eventually have to pay the same amount or more money for much less building.

Let us put away any hard feelings over the merger issue and vote yes for the building project that will help prepare all of our students for the new economy and give our taxpayers the best deal available.

George H. Rose

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

Although the vast majority of teachers are dedicated and talented, every school has a small percentage that adversely affect education. If the state really wanted to improve education they would modify tenure laws so they would protect students, not inept teachers. The process for removal should be free to the local district (currently it is cost prohibitive) and should empower a local jury of residents to eliminate tenure with a majority vote.

Instead, state and local authorities tell us that new facilities will result in higher academic achievement. We can't always believe the state or the consultants who are hired to convince us to fund their projects.

Much misleading information has been released regarding the proposed building project in Sullivan West. If you knew prior to the merger vote what you know now, ($29.6 vs. $49.9 million) would you have voted to merge?

In the first attempt to merge DV and Narrowsburg, residents were told that DV could accept all the Narrowsburg high school students without any renovations. Later, different consultants said $6 million would be necessary. Now the consultants want $9.7 million.

In 1958 we were told Youngsville School was not safe for occupancy. After the merger, the school was still used by the district. In 1994, we were again told that Youngsville was unsafe and we voted to build. Interesting that the school is still being used to house BOCES students.

We are now being told that the new high school will cost us $.96/ thousand. Never mind that the new school will cost an additional $490,000 a year to operate, that cost of living raises continue to escalate, and that additional staff will be needed. We are being told that we can operate four schools for the same amount as three. Do you really believe that?

Ed Chellis

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

While speaking with residents of the Sullivan West School District during the past few weeks, it became apparent that confusion over a State reimbursement rate of 95% for our building project has been the cause of a lot of anger.

I remember the issue being raised at several planning meetings and it seemed pretty clear that some of the construction would not be reimbursable at that rate. None the less, confusion remained.

Unfortunately, because of all the upset, it seems some larger issues are being forgotten:

-New York State is committed to reimbursing the District 53 million dollars;

-The expenditure for the three proposals we're being asked to approve is only 49.9 million dollars;

-If you own a house assessed at $75,000, the combined three proposals will cost you less than $100 a year in increased tax. (Your STAR allowance will further reduce that cost!)

-The secondary economic benefits of $53 million pouring into our community are huge!

Obviously, I am a parent with a 13 year old son who will receive immeasurable benefit from participating in all the strengthened and expanded educational programs the proposals will generate. Just as obviously, I have always been an active and long-time proponent of reasonable, effective and affordable government. The financial reality and beneficial economic impacts of the three proposals being presented for our approval are also obvious. I can't imagine voting against a sound financial investment, which will cost so few local dollars and will provide such a promising future for all our children.

Please vote "YES" on all three proposals...June 22, 2000!

Elizabeth Bucar

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

I never met a parent that didn't want "the best" for their child, and I'm no exception. On June 22nd I plan on voting YES for the Sullivan West building project. I have three principal reasons for voting YES: Matthew, Andrew and Marissa - and I could easily name a few hundred more. The children of this district are our future. They will become our doctors, our caretakers, our community leaders. It's true that what you give is returned to you, ten-fold. Let's give our children the school they deserve, we will all benefit from it. Let's not give up now. The merger was our opportunity to create something wonderful, and we have started the process. Webster defines opportunity as "a favorable juncture of circumstances" and that's what we have. We've joined three of Sullivan County's best communities and created one unique and special district. Webster also defines opportunity as " a chance for advancement or progress." I can't think of a better way to progress with this merger than to vote YES on June 22nd. Please take this OPPORTUNITY and VOTE YES for the future of our children.

Alicia Lanese

Youngsville, NY

To the editor:

Almost entirely left out of the discussion on the Sullivan West building project is the impact that the New York State STAR exemption will have on our local share. According to school officials, the Sullivan West district received more than $930,000 in STAR money this year alone. By the time the program is fully in place in the 2001-2002 school year, the district will be receiving about $1.5 million each year! Combined with the $14 million in incentive aid that we are receiving due to the merger, the state will actually be paying for the entire local cost of this new school!

So how does STAR affect the average person's taxes? A resident with an average $75,000 home will be enjoying a 40% tax reduction due to STAR by 2001. And senior citizens will get a 67% break with that same home! This means that even if taxes due to the building project were to go up by 10%, taxpayers with a STAR exemption will still be getting a significant reduction.

Looking at the entire project, we see that we will be getting a $29 million new high school facility and $20 million in renovations to our existing schools. The state will directly pay for $39 million of those costs. Plus they will be giving us the $14 million in incentive aid and $1.5 million per year in STAR exemption money. How can we, as a community, sit on our hands and deny our kids the benefit of this state largess? If you have been reading the newspapers lately, you have been seeing that schools all across the state have been stepping up and taking advantage of similar deals. Don't let the naysayers of our community, who have been keeping us behind for years, prevent us from moving forward.

The students from all three schools have proven that they can get along and do great things together. Let's show them that the adults of our community are capable of the same spirit of cooperation.

Joe DiPane

Callicoon