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The Kingston City School District has developed a Master Plan Facilities Committee to study the district’s facilities and make recommendations to the Board of Education for a Five Year Capital Improvement Plan.
School Board President Christopher Farrell and Superintendent of Schools Gerard M. Gretzinger asked a number of stake-holder groups to make nominations to the committee. Based on these recommendations, a diverse group of district administrators, building principals and teachers, board of education members, parents, business and community representatives was appointed. A total of 15 people serve on the committee.
Board of Education Trustee James Shaughnessy has agreed to serve as the chair of the committee.
An organizational meeting was held on January 28, 2008. Mr. Shaughnessy briefly reviewed the work and recommendations of the 2003 Strategic Planning Committee.
Mr. Shaughnessy reviewed the recently completed Student Enrollment Projection, which shows a decline over the next ten years.
Priorities were discussed and an issue that needs to be addressed immediately involves the district warehouse. The lease at 918 Ulster Avenue expires at the end of 2008. The district has been in that lease for 5 years and to extend it further requires voter approval. The property is for sale and contains space that is in excellent condition that could serve as both offices and for educational programs. Purchasing the property would also require voter approval. If the district decided to lease space elsewhere and relocate the warehouse, voter approval would not be required. Mr. Pritchard has been appointed to chair a subcommittee to report on the options for the warehouse at the next meeting.
Kingston High School, which has a magnificent classical façade on Broadway, across the street from the restored Kingston City Hall and the Kingston Hospital was also discussed. Behind the façade is a complex of buildings that are in serious disrepair. The main building opened in 1915, and the most recent addition, Salzman, was completed in 1978. Major reorganization and renovations are needed. How to accomplish these renovations will be one of the major questions this committee needs to answer and will continue to discuss at future meetings.
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