State budget could halt building project

By TOM KANE

NEW YORK STATE — A proposal by Governor George Pataki to reallocate school building aid could mean that the Sullivan West building project would be in jeopardy if the measure won.

“There’s no way this is going to happen if the Senate and Assembly have anything to do about it,” said Sullivan West Superintendent Michael Johndrow.

“The Assembly will vote tomorrow on a proposal to quadruple the building aid formula and the Senate is expected to double the amount in a bill also up tomorrow,” said Assemblyman Jake Gunther’s assistant Kate Abdoo.

That action alone is enough to have the school district’s bonding counsel agree to bond the beginning of construction. “We expect to move ahead according to schedule,” Johndrow said.

Pataki’s action would affect over 300 school building projects in the state, Johndrow said.

“This is all just political maneuvering,” he said.

Groundbreaking is expected to occur when the weather breaks, he said.