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Haldane Begins Building Referendum Proposal Process
by Eric Thomason
At their July 16 meeting, the Haldane School District Board of Education began the process of writing their proposed 2002 bond issue referendum, by looking at estimates from Clark Patterson Associates on the cost to maintain and upgrade the school and its programs.
Among the points most debated from the estimate was the line under the subheading "interior construction" that called for $423,000 to reconstruct three classrooms for the science department.
Board member Ralph Fleming commented that $423,000 was a lot of money to commit to the science rooms and said as it stands now, between the three rooms the school has, "there is a lot of space."
A member of the public, in favor of committing money to the science rooms, replied, "since you do have State tests, the students need more counter space for science." She suggested the board justify the expenditure to the community by saying, "Here is why your kid’s education is going to be better".
Haldane Superintendent, Dr. John Di Natale, said he thought the reconstruction would consist of sinks and cabinets and hoped the costs would not approach $423,000. "I don’t think it is going to cost a lot of money, but it will improve the rooms."
Board member David Merandy said if Haldane were truly a Liberal Arts school, he would like to know what is happening with the art and music programs. "All I hear is science, science, science," he said. Referring to the proposed new building Haldane would like to see built, Merandy said, "Everything, from what I hear, is that the technology center on the hill is going to be half (science) labs."
School Board President Paul Kaye said Merandy’s assessment that "one part of our educational system is being addressed, while another is being neglected," was "accurate – more or less."
He said would like to see better facilities for the arts and music. However, science is the area where a lack of modern facilities impacts teaching the most. With the district’s limited resources, the science program received the most money. "Would I like to build an auditorium?" he asked, adding, "Yeah, but it is not going to fly."
Di Natale said the art program’s needs have been addressed, and a new kiln is on order. "We do address all the other programs," he said and reported the science facility has been in need of repair, not the program.
"As a superintendent, you give me the space, and I’ll make sure you have the programs," said Di Natale. He added that once the district has a little more space to move around in, Haldane would be able to rebuild their electives program. "You will see equal justice to all programs," said the Superintendent.
Also discussed was the school’s ventilation system. According to the preliminary estimates, a new central duct system would cost the district almost two and a half million dollars. Di Natale called the numbers "a bit inflated." He also said the estimated numbers represent a "worst case scenario."
Kaye noted the school’s old age could work to its advantage in the instance. With the school’s drafty windows, he wondered if a study could be done to see if more ventilation was actually needed.
It was decided that construction costs of a new athletic field with track would not be included on the referendum but they would be presented as a separate resolution.
Fleming said the school board could look a little closer at the school’s ventilation and other issues and reduce some of the costs. He declared, "We are in pretty good shape."
Another issue brought up by Merandy was the old oak tree on the school grounds near the bell, which he maintains is dead. Worried about the danger a dead tree presents to children, he thought it should be removed but conceded, "You can trim the tree’s branches one more time and get another year out of it," he said.
Di Natale said that as much as he hated to say it, the tree should come down.
Kaye said there were undoubtedly some strong emotional ties associated with the tree and cautioned the school board to act with sensitivity. He suggested if it does need to come down, "it should be done with some class."
The next meeting of the Haldane School District’s Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, August 6. Superintendent Di Natale said there would be more discussion on the referendum items.
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