WESTMORELAND, N.Y. - On Tuesday, February 13, community members voted to approve the district’s $10,445,000.00 capital project with no local cost to residents. 224 voters said “yes”, and 79 said “no”, passing with a 73% approval.
This project will include an all-natural organic, in-fill multi-purpose field along with lights, goal posts and reconstruction of the track. The field will accommodate everything including physical education classes, district sports practices, club soccer, little league, softball, marching band, etc. Also included in this project are new windows and doors in the Primary Elementary School that haven’t been replaced since 1964. We will also be replacing crushed drainage pipes behind the school to prevent pooling in the grass. The Upper Elementary School is nearly 25 years old, so this project will provide a new roof and windows. The gym floor, a space that’s used every day, is worn and uneven so these funds will replace the floor. These are just some of the elements in this project. A timeframe for the start of the project is pending per state approval.
Superintendent, Rocco Migliori:
“We certainly thank the community for their continued support for our district. This project contains many necessary improvements and enhancements to our campus. It further demonstrates the commitment of our community to protect our investment in this campus and to continue to offer kids the opportunities to have the best education and experiences possible on a state of the art campus. This project will have a zero percent tax increase because the local share of the cost will be covered by funds from the district's capital reserve account. So, we appreciate the community's trust in the work that the Board of Education has done over the past two years. They've worked very hard to make sure that we take full advantage of the New York State building aid, allotted to schools, and to protect the local municipality from any additional expenses as a result of this project.”
Board of Education President, John Acee:
“I’m very grateful for the outcome of yesterday’s vote. We are very fortunate to be part of a community that is so supportive of our school and our kids. This community really understands important needs that will help our students strive towards individual excellence, become independent thinkers and productive citizens in a diverse and evolving society. This project will bring new opportunities to the community and to our kids.”