Jim O'Dowd's Letter to the Editor 12/10/09: The Time Is Right for Middle School Project

I share the concerns of citizens about the approximate $50 million price tag for the New Paltz Middle School renovation project in these uncertain economic times. However, there are compelling reasons why I support this project.

The middle school building was outdated 16 years ago when my now 30-year-old son transferred here. Repairing it -- in the long run -- could possibly be more expensive than renovating. Repairs are estimated at $10 million and this is still only a temporary fix. We are going to revisit these problems again and again and when I say revisit, I mean pay again and again to repair what everyone acknowledges is an inferior product. It is the old story of throwing good money after bad. In a year or two or maybe five, this project or another like it, will have to be proposed and, for sure, the price tag will be higher and much of the money that we had spent for repairs will just be money down the drain. The $20 million available to the district in state aid is from taxes we and other New Yorkers have already paid. It is there for the exclusive use of capital projects, just like the middle school project, but not for repairs. Our political representatives in Albany have given strong assurances that this money will be forthcoming and, the fact is, if we don't use it, some other district will and we lose it. Today, interest rates and labor costs are low and contractors are hungry for business right now.

The plan also solves two additional problems by providing a badly needed new central kitchen in the high school and space for the district office in the preserved 1930s section of the middle school.

There are also long-term financial savings in taking advantage of green construction and utilizing renewable energy sources. When we talk about a school for the 21st century, we should include 21st-century renewable energy sources and technology. The New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers financial incentives for green technology upgrades. They vary from year to year, but most recently included 40% reimbursements for renewable energy investments, as well as a 4% subsidy on loans to develop these projects. These incentives would substantially bring down the cost of installation and decrease the pay-back time. Then, of course, there is the fact that our children are learning about green technologies in their classrooms. They are also learning about things like greenhouse gases, global warming, melting of ice caps and dangerous new tipping points. They need to be reassured that in the face of these problems which their generation will be dealing with for decades to come, their school is trying to do what it can as a good global citizen to help ameliorate the problems.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the school board for their conscientious and tireless efforts on behalf of the district and its children. I do not doubt the sincerity and best intentions of any board member. My impression is that each is acting out of his or her best judgment and conscience. Each struggles, like the rest of us, over the impact of this major decision. Board members have taken more lumps than deserved during this process, but I guess that is the way it works on the front line of a democracy. I thank each of them again for hanging in there.

Jim O'Dowd
New Paltz