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Feedback: Carthage School District Divided Over Capital Project

Story Published: May 29, 2012 at 5:35 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 29, 2012 at 7:19 PM EDT

The vote on the $34.5 million  proposed capital project nears for the Carthage Central School District. 

The project will affect all 7 buildings in the district, including the construction of 5 new science classrooms at the high school. 

The Great Bend district office and alternative education programs will be moved to a new addition at the high school. 

Classrooms will be reorganized at Carthage Elementary.

And 30 percent of project dollars will go toward maintenance projects.

Officials said 94 percent of the project costs are covered by state dollars.

Interim Superintendent Judy Waligory says using the capital project to address the school's needs is the best solution. 

"It is a much more cost effective way to maintain and improve these facilities rather than include these costs in an annual budget," said Waligory.

John E. Peck was on the Carthage school board for 18 years before he left three years ago and he's against the project

"The buildings were maintained for a number of years. The buildings should've been maintained and the last 3 years. I'm not really sure how well they've been maintained," said Peck.

The cost to taxpayers? A little over $16 per year.

Getting the votes to okay the capital project may be a problem. 

The school budget only passed by 7 votes on May 15. 

"Everybody I talked to, even before I gave them my opinion, are against it," said Peck.

"I think the opposition comes from people who haven't fully looked into the project," said Waligory.

Voters will decide the fate of the capital project on June 6.

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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