"How many times can we be forgotten?" read Blodgett School supporters' posters at the Syracuse City School District meeting tonight.
Their sentiment was carried into the meeting where emotional parents, staff and students advocated for the historic building's renovation."It's not just about the building,” said Commissioner Cynthia Kirby on the school's significance. “It's about a community dedicated to children.”
Their sentiment was carried into the meeting where emotional parents, staff and students advocated for the historic building's renovation."It's not just about the building,” said Commissioner Cynthia Kirby on the school's significance. “It's about a community dedicated to children.”
The Blodgett School, built in 1915, on Syracuse's low-income Near West Side was atop SCSD renovation lists since 2000 but recently rejected after no longer being "top priority. " The building is so neglected that SCSD superintendent Daniel Lowengard said SCSD Board of Education president, Laurie Menkin, cried on a tour of the school.
The construction company contracted by the Joint School Construction Board for renovations, Gilbane Building Co., only told SCSD about its recommendation to reject Blodgett a few weeks ago. It told SCSD a $46 million renovation cost was too costly for it’s budget but a new building for $20 million could be more feasible.
Sympathetic commissioners could not give a definitive answer about Blodgett's fate as supporters pleaded for its renovation. The school, which has a special needs program, is the heart of the neighborhood. A tearful parent, Tanya Seeley said she loves its centrality, "The police station is just a block away, so I know my kids are safe."
The JSCB plans to meet tomorrow morning for further discussion. But the area's residents can't wait much longer. "Six, seven years for you, a lifetime for these people," said Near West Side Initiative head, Paul Nojaim. "Let's advocate on behalf of them."
No comments:
Post a Comment