School Board To Detail, Discuss Congers Elementary Repair Bond

The $6.5 million bond to repair Congers Elementary School goes before the public for a vote in 12 days. The Clarkstown School Board scheduled a community forum and bond presentation on the proposed expenditure for tonight’s meeting. 

The subject is highly controversial with community members and the Clarkstown PTA Council stating that many questions remain unanswered by the administration. The district distributed a flyer on January 8th with information about how much the reconstruction and repairs would cost for specific parts of the school, a portion of which is 87 years old. 

Residents have been split over the school’s fate. They have been voicing differing opinions over whether the building should be repaired or closed and the potential impacts on property values, the Congers community and school budget.

The New York State Education Department turned down the district’s application for reimbursement for the proposed repair project on January 6th. The district appealed the decision and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski recently met with SED officials and asked them to reconsider. Without state aid, the bond would cost homeowners an average of $26 over 15 years and $10 yearly over 30 years with state aid.   

The school was closed in late August after it was declared unsafe. 

In anticipation of a large turnout, the 8 p.m. board meeting will take place at Clarkstown South High School.  

The board’s agenda also includes a presentation on curriculum changes. Additionally, board members will vote on approving tax certiorari settlements totaling almost $52,000 for Paul Muni Realty of New City and more than 30 Clarkstown property owners. 

Muni Realty appealed tax valuation for 2009 through 2013 and the settlement would reimburse the firm $18,741 for a two-story office building at 169 South Main Street. The property owners in New City, Nanuet, Congers, Bardonia and West Nyack would receive a total of $33,192 in refunds for appeals filed for 2012 and 2013.