Community Member View
THE EASTCHESTER SCHOOL BOND
The repairs and restoration of roofs and alarms are a significant concern for all Eastchester
residents to insure the safety of our children and as caretakers of the facilities we have been
fortunate to inherit.
I have spent considerable time reviewing and comparing the many documents and estimates. I
expressed concern over the costs for fire alarm systems to the Board noting the original KG&D
estimates are $300,000 below the $850,000 requested in the February 6 bond. KG&D replied
they have since increased their estimates. The community has been directed to look to these
reports for information which we now learn are not accurate.
Further comparison into the roof repairs indicates similar discrepancies. The Watsky roof
proposal is up by $1,800,000. Understandably, project costs vary from year to year; however,
it is astonishing to believe that this project is being bumped by $2.1 Million in a single year.
KG&D estimates already had built-in project costs plus an added 10% escalation cost.
Eastchester voters deserve an explanation on why the original estimates increased by almost
40% for this bond. Only a year ago Greenvale School upgrades to fire alarms were deemed
unnecessary, later revised to $25,000 by KG&D and now estimated to require $150,000 in
upgrades.
I have three concerns about supporting this bond.
The proposition doesn't state what we are voting to spend on. No mention is made to roofs and
fire alarms. Why a vague proposition that states the bond is to "reconstruct and construct
improvements"?
Why the necessity to bond the full $5.4 million instead of $4.4 million? Explore a short term loan
option until the EXCEL reimbursement of $914,000 is obtained and remove a 15 year payback.
Certainly we can't spend the entire amount before the end of the projects nor is there any
substantiation to the 40% escalation of costs. Consider applying for NYSED Building Aid.
Why was it necessary for a private citizen to examine and recognize these discrepancies? This is
a fiduciary responsibility.
Finally, there is a new district leader on the horizon who should be given the courtesy to assist in
this decision making; it is unfair to burden that individual with this enormous debt for the next 15
years without benefit of review.
Eastchester has historically provided the district's children with a fine education and facilities.
Support of needed repairs should not be mistaken for permission to spend irresponsibly. I had
hoped for transparency and accountability but unfortunately have found neither with this
proposition.
Loretta Dalton
Eastchester