Sullivan West candidates speak out about schools

Re-opening of closed schools remains an issue

By FRITZ MAYER

WESTERN SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Residents in the Sullivan West Central School District will go to the polls on May 15 to vote on the budget, as well as seven candidates running for three positions on the school board.

The proposed budget for the 2007-08 school year is $33,317,031, an increase of well less than one percent over last year. The budget does not include the estimated $1.6 million it would have cost to reopen the Delaware Valley campus. According to Superintendent Alan Derry, the reopening of that school and the one in Narrowsburg is a dead issue for the next school year. However, the issue will almost certainly be revisited in the new school year.

As residents vote on the budget, they will also vote for new board members. The River Reporter has asked them for their views on the reopening of the schools.

Shawn Bailey, the only incumbent among the seven candidates, said he didn’t yet have enough information to make a final decision about the question. Bailey, who is chairman of the facility needs committee, said the superintendent had not provided the board with enough information to allow them to make an informed decision.

Ken Cohen, who is running against Bailey, said if re-opening the schools were best for the most students he would support it. But he said that his experience and research regarding merged school districts suggests, “The advantages of re-opening the schools don’t measure up to the benefits of keeping them closed and operating the elementary school in one larger school.”

Tom Prendergast, who is running for the seat that will be vacated by Rick Lander, said the board did not get enough information from Derry to make a decision on reopening the schools, but he added, “I think that it is appalling that two buildings that cost the taxpayers better than $15,000,000 to renovate should be sitting idle. We cannot afford, as a district, to continue to allow that to happen. We need to find a use that will benefit the district, the communities, and the taxpayers¾whatever that use might be.

Richard Tegnander, who is running against Prendergast, said there are many questions to be answered before a decision can be made, such as how much extra staff would be needed, the cost of additional bussing, etc. Meanwhile, the maintenance of the buildings is costing taxpayers money. He added, “This issue is too important to be left in the hands of a few who might have no vested interest in our children or the future of this community. Ultimately, any decision regarding the future of these buildings should be made by the people in the form of a public referendum.”

Richard Sandler, who is running for the seat that will be vacated by Catherine Novak, said, “I would love nothing more than for our student population to grow so that it makes fiscal sense to open both of the buildings. With annual operating costs of $1,700,000 for just the DV campus, it is obvious that the decision to consolidate our elementary program was the right one. The best way to get those buildings open is to focus on programs and stop the infighting that our district is famous for.”

Ken Uy, who is also running for Novak’s seat, said that the board should determine the best use of the facilities to resolve the building issues. He added, however, that he thought the decision to close the schools two years ago was the correct one. He said, “Consolidating the elementary program provided a common foundation for secondary school and allowed teachers and staff to work together to develop best practices. Also, the money saved from economies of scale was used to enhance school programs.

Geoffrey Gangel, who is also running for Novak’s seat, said, “I know it looks like we cannot put the schools online right now because of the financial situation. But I want to keep the schools in the family for future elementary school use, if possible and when possible. I’m hoping to find alternative ways for the school to pay for itself and perhaps be a profit center for the community as well as a community asset.

Voting for the budget and the board members will take place on May 15 from noon through 9:00 p.m. in each of the election districts.

Polling places are as follows:

In election district one, Delaware Valley, residents may vote at the Hortonville firehouse.

In election district two, Jeffersonville/Youngsville, residents may vote at the Sullivan West Elementary building in Jeffersonville.

In election district three, Narrowsburg, residents may vote at the Western Sullivan Library/Tusten-Cochecton Branch.