Continuing financial challenges for ECS

By DAVID HULSE

ELDRED, NY — With an increasingly skeptical district populace questioning building repairs and the future of the district as a K-12 unit, Eldred Central School (ECS) officials are pressing forward with state approvals for the first portion of a multi-year renovation project for both district buildings.

In October, resident Richard Neuberger questioned a $3.5 million ($4.5 million in reality) cost for renovating the buildings, “when in a couple of years we may have to farm the high school out to someone else.” Neuberger said getting a good education was more important than having a jacket with ECS colors.

At a November informational hearing, residents questioned the new spending for an eight-year-old building, wondering if the same state officials who approved apparently faulty plans the last time out, were going to be any more efficient this time.

There were no good answers. Consultants suggested that at some point, you have to faith in someone.

Board of Education President Bob Burrow said the building work is primarily focused on safety issues that had to be addressed.

“Whether we remain a K-12 is highly up in the air, but we can’t continue the way we are [regarding building conditions].”

Consultants, who ten years ago forecast continued growth in student population, are now forecasting falling numbers of students, Burrow said.

All this comes as state education officials have made downward revisions to the state’s annual aid to support building projects and existing debt on older projects.

ECS managed to replace existing bond debt in the first $1.25 million portion of the renovations, which are largely at Mackenzie Elementary School, avoiding new tax increases. Consultants say the entire project may cost as much as $4.5 million before its completion in 2006.

Another challenge could arise from a settlement of the Mirant Corporation tax assessment appeal on its Mongaup River Hydroelectric facilities in Lumberland. The contested $33 million, the difference between the town’s assessment and price Mirant paid for the facilities, amounts to nearly 10 percent of the school district’s tax base.

The district and Sullivan County are helping with legal costs to defend the town’s position.