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ROTTERDAM
Officials consider district expansion
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net

    Mohonasen officials heard plans for a district expansion Monday, including a move that would place half the district’s second- through fifth-grade classes into the former Draper School building.
    District architects pitched the plans before Mohonsen’s Board of Education and members of the administration shortly before their regular meeting. Superintendent Kathleen Spring said the plans represent a starting point, as they consider their options for a potential capital project.
    “This is kind of pie in the sky,” she said following the meeting. “Sort of an ‘if we could do whatever you wanted.’”
    Under the plan, the district’s Bradt School would be turned into space for Mohonasen’s full-day kindergarten and universal prekindergarten programs, as well as the district’s entire first-grade class. District officials are considering adding a full-day kindergarten to bring Mohonasen in step with state educational trends.
    Expansion plans also factor in the district acquiring the building of the former International Charter School of Schenectady off Draper Avenue. Purchasing the $7.5 million property may be possible at minimal cost if Mohonasen can apply the 95 percent of state aid granted when the former Draper School District was annexed in 1986.
    The Draper School building and the Pinewood Elementary School would then house the district’s second- through fifth-grade classes. One wing of the Draper School could be either demolished or mothballed until the district finds a use for the space.
    The project could also include plans to build a new library at the present-day Draper Middle School on the Mohonasen campus off Curry Road. Another possibility is the construction of a technology wing on the high school building.
    Other plans include the construction of a massive transportation facility on land abutting the state Thruway. The building would include a washing facility, plus space to house 45 full-sized buses and 15 smaller ones.
    Spring said the district is still in the planning stages for a capital project and has made no final decisions. She said the project will hinge on how much of it can be covered through state building aid.

Wait a sec ... didn't yall sell Draper School for like $200k ... now there's a possibility of buying it back at what, $7 MILLION ???

WTF?

The charter school pumped millions of dollars into the old Draper School to refurb the class rooms and put in a new heating system and many other improvements which they also did with help from the state.

Ah.  The asbestos and oil tanks aren't an issue any more then?

I didn't realize the work done

They were digging up the old oil tanks, put in a nice blacktop driveway and parking lot. The charter school had a lot of work done throughout the school and the place looks pretty good.

You are right Shadow. They spent a bundle on this building. If the Mohonasen proposed expansion goes through...it would be a win/win situation for both the school district and the town.

So, the Charter School "flipped" the school and are leaving with some profit.  I wonder who gets that profit.

Quoted from Kevin March

So, the Charter School "flipped" the school and are leaving with some profit.  I wonder who gets that profit.

The non-union teachers?????

I participated in a walkthrough of the school...many parts are in EXCELLENT condition.  For instance, there is a brand new elevator that has been installed.

As far as "flipping, and taking a profit," that is not the case.  The Charter school was shut down...they are struggling to pay their bills.  

As far as "yall selling it for 200K", I (and most other board members and staff) cannot speak to that, as we were not part of that situation (( don't think I was even alive...dating myself haha).  However, we need to look at what is best for the current situation. As bumblethru said, it's looking to be a Win/Win!

I hope Mohonasen decides to take it over. I really do think it would be an excellent investment.

Excellent placement for the district.........

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ROTTERDAM
Mohon sees need for capital project
Focus groups discuss improvements
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net

    A $60 million or more capital project may come before Mohonasen Central School District voters in January, as discussed Monday by the Board of Education.
    Though the board still needs to OK a referendum vote, district officials are developing elements of the project they feel are necessary for district growth.
    The board also gave Superintendent Kathleen Spring permission to begin preliminary negotiations for the former Draper School building.
    Spring will await the results from two focus groups the district will host this week to discuss the capital project. Provided both groups support the purchase, Spring said she will enter into preliminary negotiations with First Niagara Bank, which assumed ownership of the building when the International Charter School of Schenectady dissolved in June.
    “Once these groups are done, we’ll give you that authority to negotiate,” board Chairwoman Eileen French told Spring during their meeting Monday.
    Under the proposal, the Draper building would be purchased and converted into classroom space for half of the district’s secondthrough fifth-grade classes, while the Pinewood Elementary school would house the other half. The Bradt School would house a fullday kindergarten class and first grade.
    At the high school campus, the cafeteria and classrooms near the Farnsworth Technology Center would be converted into a hightech wing. The district is also considering a renovation of the team and locker rooms near the gym.
    Other plans include the construction of a garage for 45 buses on land abutting the Thruway. The district is also considering the purchase of land near the Pinewood School for improved athletic fields.
    “There are still a lot of loose ends to tie up,” said Patrick McGrath, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
    The district could receive state aid up to 95 percent. But board members expressed concern over whether the aid would be reduced when Gov. David Paterson proposes his 2009 budget in mid-December.
    “I worry about the danger of inaction, because it could cost us more,” said board member Nancy del Prado.
    District spokeswoman Adrienne Leon said focus group discussions suggest there is broad support for the purchase of the Draper building, the creation of a full-day kindergarten class and the need for an enhanced technology program. About 25 people participated in the groups, which met last week.
    “People were saying how could we not do this,” she said.
    The groups also raised concern over whether the former Draper building would be viewed as the lesser of the two elementary schools. Some suggested each district building be devoted to two full grades, so that students would attend all three before reaching middle school.
    McGrath said most residents might not realize the charter school did millions of dollars worth of renovations inside the building and most of the work that needs to be done is cosmetic. District officials suggested Spring arrange an open house with the bank, so that residents could see the condition of the building.
    “It’s not the old Draper building where the boiler is going to break down every other day,” said board member Julie Adamec.