The Rye City School District Board of Education expected to vote on a bond referendum at their October 11 meeting that, if approved by the public, would address enrollment at the RHS/RMS campus with a $19-plus million plan. Instead, Board President Laura Slack announced that a letter sent by the City of Rye last week, raising traffic, pedestrian safety, and other concerns about the bond, could jeopardize the project’s completion in time for the 2014-15 school year.

 

By Jim Byrne

 

The Rye City School District Board of Education expected to vote on a bond referendum at their October 11 meeting that, if approved by the public, would address enrollment at the RHS/RMS campus with a $19-plus million plan. Instead, Board President Laura Slack announced that a letter sent by the City of Rye last week, raising traffic, pedestrian safety, and other concerns about the bond, could jeopardize the project’s completion in time for the 2014-15 school year.

 

The letter was signed by City Manager Scott Pickup and sent to Assistant Superintendent of Business Kathleen Ryan October 6, three days after Ms. Slack and Superintendent Dr. Ed Shine met with Mr. Pickup and Mayor Doug French to discuss joint issues. Ms. Slack said traffic concerns were not raised at that time, and that no additional meetings were requested. The letter is available here: RyeSchools.org. Along with the original letter, additional correspondence — including letter dated October 12 from Mayor French to Ms. Ryan — is available on the City’s website.

 

Ms. Slack and the Board decided to table the action items on the agenda in Executive Session prior to the meeting, and forwarded the correspondence to their environmental consultants. Needing at least 45 days between Board adoption and public vote, the planned December 6 vote will have to be pushed back. The Board President said the delay is most regrettable not only because it could postpone the capital project’s completion, but because it may cost the School District additional money.

 

On the issue, Mayor French had this to say: “In short, the City has no objections to the project and responded to the Board’s request for comment by October 10 as part of the SEQRA process. The City did not call for any additional environmental review, but raised concerns for Board consideration as the project moves through site specific planning to look more closely at impacts on traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, and storm-water runoff. It was a go from the City’s perspective.”

 

When Vicki Edmunds, a Rye resident, questioned the specifics of the letter – concerns about traffic implications and environmental impact – Ms. Slack noted, “We understand the kids will be here whether we have an addition or not. But we still have a duty and we must deal with it.”

 

She added, “The children are coming whether on foot in car or on bicycles. We’re very concerned about enrollment and space issues on this campus. We’ve spent a great deal of time since the space study was done this spring. Nonetheless, we received the letter and it is our responsibility to protect the District and react.”

 

The space study, presented by Dr. Paul Seversky in June, showed RMS/RHS at 104% of its functional capacity, with a boom of students on their way to the campus.

 

“The most important thing is that we get this bond referendum back on track quickly because delay could mean that we don’t have the necessary classrooms built by Fall 2014, when our kids need them,” said Board member Josh Nathan on October 12. “Traffic concerns were properly addressed in developing the proposed project. As the City acknowledges, enrollment growth is what can impact traffic, not the proposed classrooms to accommodate that enrollment.”

 

Mr. Nathan, who is running for City Council, added, “The City has the ability to work with the School District to get this done. In speaking today with the Mayor and a City Council member, I expect the City will do so.”

 

The Board hired architects in July with the intention of eventually bonding, and then held six meetings from late July through early October that were focused on the proposed capital project.

 

“The Board appreciates everyone that came out to talk about the bond,” said Ms. Slack to the 50-plus residents on hand. “We wish we were moving in a different direction, but we will keep moving forward.”

 

The Board of Education’s next meeting is October 25.