Dryden school district proposes capital improvements

Dryden Central School District (DCSD) is proposing a $12 million capital improvements project, with a majority of the project going toward upgrades for Dryden Elementary School.

According to DCSD Superintendent Josh Bacigalupi, renovations projected for Dryden Elementary School include the cafeteria and kitchen, the nurse’s suite, corridors and a new playground for the preschool program.

A new playground is proposed due to the significant growth of the preschool program “the past couple of years,” Bacigalupi said.

“According to code, you need to have a separate playground [for the program],” he added. “It’s for 3- to 4-year-olds rather than the traditional playground for our students.”

Bacigalupi also noted that DCSD recently purchased a property near Dryden Elementary School. The goal, he added, is to “tear that property down and get the area prepped for overflow parking.”

The corridor improvements, Bacigalupi said, includes tiling and built-in case upgrades, some plumbing work, upgrades to windows and “general infrastructure.”

Bacigalupi said with Dryden Elementary School being the district’s largest elementary school, which has about 550 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the proposed project “will benefit everyone moving forward.”

“It was time to put some money and effort into the [Dryden Elementary School] building,” he added.

Along with Dryden Elementary School, Dryden Middle and High School and Cassavant and Freeville Elementary School buildings would receive rooftop upgrades under the proposed plans.

Funds to cover DSCD’s project proposal include the New York state building aid, managing debt service payments and the use of the district’s existing capital reserve funds. More importantly, Bacigalupi said, the school’s community members will not see an additional tax increase.

The building aid will cover about 70% to 80% of the funds, Bacigalupi said, with $3 million coming from capital reserve funds. The amount needed from debt service payments remains to be seen, he added.

Energy for this project proposal will focus on Dryden Elementary School “for a couple of reasons,” Bacigalupi said.

DCSD’s last capital improvements project, which was over $40 million and approved during the 2016-17 year, primarily focused on upgrades to the district’s middle and high school buildings, including the athletic fields.

“The previous project also improved maintenance, rooftop and site work at all three elementary school buildings,” Bacigalupi said.

Bacigalupi noted the district “has been able to stay on top” of infrastructure work and upgrades to instructional settings for the Freeville and Cassavant Elementary School buildings through other funds.

The district will hold an informational meeting about the proposed project at 7 p.m. March 28 at the middle/high school library.

The vote on the proposed project will take place April 5 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the middle/high school auditorium at 118 Freeville Rd.

“The proposal balances the need to be fiscally responsible as well as our core belief that a safe, joyful and nurturing environment promotes learning and growth,” Bacigalupi said. “This project allows us to continue to maintain our facilities to provide a healthy and safe environment for students.”

Dryden Dispatch appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Town of Dryden to hold public hearing on draft of Comprehensive Plan

Town of Dryden Planning Board officials will hold a public hearing on the public review draft of the Dryden 2045 Comprehensive Plan at 6:10 p.m. March 24 at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St.

The public review draft of the plan is available on the project’s website at dryden2045.org/the-plan.

A paper copy of the draft is available for review at the Dryden Town Hall. To review the paper copy of the draft, contact the planning department at planning@dryden.ny.us or (607) 844-8888 (ext. 216).

Public comments will be accepted through March 31. Comments can be submitted through the project’s website at dryden2045.org/submit-a-comment.

Dryden Senior Citizens lunch slated for March 14

The Dryden Senior Citizens (DSC) are scheduled to meet at 11:45 a.m. March 14 at the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home on Route 13 in Dryden.

Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. The menu includes corned beef with cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots, onions, a roll and sherbet. The cost for the meal is $8 for members and $9 for non-members.

Tenor Aaron Karppala will provide entertainment at the meeting.

DSC’s yearly membership cost is $5. Those in the area who are 55 years and older are welcome to join the group.

For more information or questions, contact Rosemary French at (607) 844-4649 or rfrench7@twcny.rr.com.

Deadline to apply Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund grant is April 1

The Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund (DYOF) is accepting grant applications until April 1.

Grant funds through DYOF are awarded twice a year. The funds are for the long-term benefit of Dryden-area youth through innovative and creative programs and activities that go beyond the basic requirements of public education. Projects should focus on cultural enrichment, academic achievement and general youth development.

The funds may be used to supplement educational and extracurricular activities funded by school budgets but are not intended to replace them. Any group sponsored by a not-for-profit organization that serves Dryden youth is eligible to apply for grant funds.

For more information, or to download a grant application form, go to dyof.org. Those interested in applying can also write to DYOF, P.O. Box 1076, Dryden, NY 13053.

The DYOF board of community volunteers will review applications in April.