A little over a year ago the Greenburgh School District began a campaign to push a bond of $114 million, whose final cost would have exceeded $200,000,000 to consolidate two schools in the district onto the Warburg campus. There were several factors that contributed to the bond not passing.
Over the years, the Greenburgh School District has neglected the buildings that house the staff and the students. The residents found their tax dollars disappearing without an explanation. Please keep in mind most people usually vote to support the education of our children as the primary goal. Education is the best investment in our future – when it’s actually used for the children. Sadly, when the 2019 school year began, the week before the GSD staff was to report to work, the Warburg mansion was deemed unsafe for staff to occupy by Superintendent Chase. The district had the entire summer to deal with building maintenance, but again neglected to do so, hence, "the sky is falling" and maybe the roof.
The slate roof on the Mansion has been left in disrepair, neither covered, nor protected, nor any effort made to preserve it. We’re told now the leaking roof has contributed to “structural damages” throughout. Paint and plaster has fallen onto the floors and we’re told again that the mansion is no longer usable. No future plans to repair the Mansion have been put forth as of the February 28th date. The Superintendent announced on March 3 that the engineering report gave an estimate of $829,000 to repair the mansion EXCLUDING roof repair.
The slate roof sits uncovered, exposed to rain, ice, wind and further deterioration. To anyone who owns a car, you know that if you do not change the oil, the life of the car is usually shorter. The result of voting NO on the bond seems to indicate that little or no action to preserve or maintain the Mansion will be offered. The district didn’t have money for maintenance, but they suddenly had the money to move the administration into the Woodlands High School and build an office suite for the superintendent and the administrative staff.
What is supposed to be a temporary move, had generated a price tag so far of $267,346.79. Is it any wonder the district can’t find the money needed to repair the roof? The locksmith costs are $34,577.40. for electronic locks to accommodate the new offices. Other expenses the public should be aware of: wiring for phones and computer system $26,300, shades for the superintendent’s office $8,652. The list is long and may ultimately exceed $300,000, As tax payers eager to support the education of our children, our future leaders, we find the lack of maintaining the district office and surrounding schools one of the primary reasons we have wasteful spending and a distrust of the current Administration and Board of Education.
Join in by coming to the meeting Monday night and let them know what you think.
Join in by coming to the meeting Monday night and let them know what you think.
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