While design work proceeds on space for the new alternative education program, Peekskill school officials are continuing their efforts to fund the $424,000 project in a way that obtains maximum aid from New York State.
The district is trying to finance transformation of space in the basement of the Administration Center through the bond issue approved by voters in May 2011, which would qualify 70 percent of the cost of the work for reimbursement by the state. Conversion of the space into three classrooms was not specified in the $3.16 million bond issue but the resolution included “other improvements throughout the district” in addition to such specific projects as expansion of the Peekskill High School cafeteria, said Gregory Sullivan, assistant superintendent for business.
The district earlier considered making funds available for the alternative education space by temporarily shelving aspects of other bonded projects, primarily rehabilitation of recreation areas behind the Administration Center. However, Sullivan told the Board of Education Tuesday night that projects specified in the bond resolution – among them the recreation areas – must be funded before “other improvements.”
Board President Joseph Urbanowicz asked Sullivan to obtain written guidance from the district’s bond counsel about which bonded projects and funds can and cannot be shuffled to make funds available for the alternative education space.
In other action Tuesday the board approved an instructional calendar for 2012-13. The first day of school is Thursday, Sept. 6; the last day of school is Friday, June 21, 2013. The February break has been reduced from a full week to a four-day weekend. Please click here to view the calendar.
