"I've always said a tornado could come and Blodgett would still be
there," said Kerry Read at tonight's Syracuse Board of Education
meeting. For the first time this teacher said she is unsure.
Blodgett was a top priority for renovation eight years ago. After the
Joint Schools Construction Board evaluated the renovation's costs
about three weeks ago, it removed Blodgett from the list.
The decision created controversy in the Near West Side of Syracuse and
brought people who live there tonight’s meeting.
The board's response in effect: We'll see.
Board President Laurie Menkin said she is waiting on figures from the
program manager before she decides about Blodgett.
Superintendent Daniel Lowengard estimated $46 million for renovating
Blodgett's 89-year-old building. "We can't do Blodgett," he said, and
suggested building a new facility that he said would cost $20 million.
Facilities Director Nick DiBello had a different estimate for a new
building at $35 million. "I say renovate," he said to cheers and
applause from the audience.
Blodgett supporters took turns at the microphone and asked for
renovations.
"I can speak for a lot of kids that want to keep it open," said sixth grader Yoonaybe Ferman.
But the board made no promises.
"There's a fiscal reality to everything we're talking about tonight,"
said Commissioner Calvin Corriders.
"As eloquent as people were tonight, I could have six other
communities come in and say, 'Now you're doing Blodgett but you're
cutting out six other projects,'" said Lowengard after the meeting.
"It's a balancing act."
Lowengard plans to continue discussions and meet at Blodgett next Tuesday.
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