To:                   Nyack School Community

From:               Roberta R. Zampolin, Superintendent

                        Dr. Don Hammond, School Board President

Re:                  SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 7:

NYACK SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER OLD NYACK

HIGH SCHOOL HEATING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

Date:               September 30, 2003

 

At a special public meeting on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, the Nyack School Board will be discussing the vital need for replacement of the heating system infrastructure at the old Nyack High School, and the options for its financing.  BOCES has leased the 75 year old community landmark, for the past 10 years and recently extended its lease for another five year period.

 

At the time of the opening of the new High School in 1990 the community mandate was to preserve the building for present and future use.  Currently, the building’s historic MacCalman field is used for District football games, sporting events and graduation, and the auditorium is used as needed for school productions and community events.  Its rental to BOCES has incurred $5 million in revenue for the District during the past 10 years, and another $3 million over the next five years is expected.

 

To preserve the building, its viability as a rental property, and its current and possible future utilization by the District, the heating system replacement must be done. The October 7 agenda will include a presentation by the District and Engineers John Hewitt and Roy Herford, hired by the District to analyze the problem, map out the solution, and project costs, which are estimated at about $4,300,000. 

 

Work can be financed through subsequent annual budgets at a cost of approximately $750,000 a year or be presented as a bond issue for a public vote.  With current debt service reductions, the new debt would replace retiring costs and therefore there would be no impact on taxes

 

Constant repairs and upgrades have been made to preserve the greatly admired building that houses many fond memories for its alumni, many of whom still live in the area.  This summer new roofs, and chimney were added and windows were partially replaced.  Repairs to the heating system have been ongoing, but original piping, encased in underground tunnels, is not readily reachable and is in dire need of replacement. 

 

The School Board will review all aspects of the project and its costs on October 7 and make a decision about the project at its October 14 meeting.  The community is invited to attend the public session at the Hilltop Building auditorium at 7:30 PM.