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>*;V*V'/;^' ^ ^W.™i**it&&~^#^^ Wi.'Jir. To help those with handicaps, BKW plans to renovate high school By Tyler Schilling BjBl^E — A Berne-Knox- Westerlo High School student who uses a wheelchair can't get from the gym to the cafeteria now because they are on differ- ent levels. BKW Superintendent Steven Schrade informed\ school board members and the public Monday nighff about renovations admin- istrators and architects are dis- cussing for the BKW High School t6 comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. \Nothinghas been'determined yet,\ Schrade said. Other business In other Business, the school board -!- Heard, $ie recommendation of Vibe i^id^K^war^^ck- rqyd for the boardto communi- cate with supervisors ofBjerne, Knox, and Westerlo' aboiit pro- jected growth of town population to make sure BKW is ready for an increase in school enrollment. A recent study, conducted by Cornell University projected a 'It's more economical to and build a new one that tear down the old gym is handicap-accessible.' Schrade, administrators, and Karl Griffith, of Cataldo, Waters, and Griffith, an architectural firm, recently met, discussed op- tions, and estimated costs. The committee, Schrade said, dis- cussed two possibilities for the school — make additions and al- terations to the existing gym to comply with the ADA or tear the old gym down and reconstruct a new facility accessible to those with handicaps. \Based on state ratios,\ Schrade said, \it's more eco- nomical to tear down the old gym and build a new one that is handicap-accessible.\ The building-aid ratio for the district is 79 percent, Schrade said. The first option the committee discussed — making additions and alterations to the school's existing gym, which would con- sist of adding elevators to access locker rooms and the cafeteria — is projected to cost $8.2 million with the district's share amounting to $5.7 million. The second option — to de- molish the existing gym and re- construct a new one with acces- sible facilities —is defined by the state as remodeling and is pro- jected to cost $10.8 million with the district's share at $2.8 mil- lion. \In the past 10 to 12 years, we have made progress so we're not in danger of a sanction or a fine,\ Schrade told The Enterprise, of complying with the federal act. \The determining factor,\ he said, \is that we have four stu- dents in wheelchairs — three in the elementary and one in the high school.\ decline in enrollment from 1,100, to 792 in the next decade; — Heard from Business Ad- ministrator Gregory Diefenbach that BKW has been awarded a grant from. Toyota for low sulfur emissions mufflers for its diesel buses. The grant, which awards the BKW district $149,150, is the fifth awarded in the state of PvTew York. Diefenbach, however, stated that more research should be conducted, as the mufflers could present corrosion prob- lems: special-use permit to the town of Berne. Sikule was concerned about the size'of the trucks' and the width of roads buses travel and possibly endangering chil- dren, -^ Heajrd from Presid,eiiit «jTp?in Adii^ftce'abput possibly having representatives froni isurrdurid- ing 6blleges yisit earlier in the school year.. Adriarice also sug- gested Parent Night occur ear- lier than in past; years; -?- Heard from Schrade tjhat there have been requests from surrounding communities to en- roll their students at BKW. Si- kule stated that the high'school is crowded. Board member Janet Finke said it is a compli- ment for people to want to come to the school district. The board decided it was not accepting more students; — Discussed the possibility of adding another softball team. Last spring, 35 to 40 girls tried out, and the school only has 15 uniforms. The board discussed having another team but was uncertain about adding one due to lack of resources and compe- tition from surrounding schools.. The board decided to investigate possible options; — Appointed secondary music teacher Brian Corey as the ele- mentary school principal. Corey is taking a one-year leave of ab- sence to fill Kim LaBelle's posi- tion. LaBelle is now serving as 'The determining factor is that we have four students in wheelchairs.' — Heard from Superintendent Schrade about one of the dis- trict's bus drivers seeking per- mission to have her child ride with her in the school bus. \We have allowed this,\ Schrade said. Schrade then recommended board members think about it. Schrade also recommended the board check with the state's Department of Transportation. The insurance provider, he said, doesn't prohibit children not en- rolled by the school but does frown upon it. Ackroyd voiced concerns about capacity, seating arrangements, and the safety of the child; — Heard from board member Maureen Sikule about an exca- vating company applying for a assistant superintendent for cur- riculum, instruction and special education; and — Set the tax rate. Parts of seven towns fall within the BKW School District, and rates vary from town to town based on as- sessments and the state-set equalization rate. Berne residents will pay $26.40 per $1,000 of assessed value; Knox residents will pay $28.43; New Scotland, $18.48; Middleburgh, $26.07; Wright, $22.42; Rensselaerville, $28.00; and Westerlo residents will pay $1,811.96. Westerlo has not undergone revaluation in decades so many properties are valued at a frac- tion of their worth. Highway super says Town should own private roads By Tyler Schilling KNOX — Whipple, Helderberg and Malachi roads have been maintained by the Knox high- way department for years, ac- cording to Highway Superinten- dent Gary Salisbury. Salisbury would like to see them become town roads. Town board members said at their August meeting that there were portions of the roads which remain half-private and half town-owned. Supervisor Mi- chael Hammond said Whipple Road, being half town-owned and half, private is a product of subdivision dating back to the 1970's. Board members discussed the condition of the roads -—whether they are up to town standards — and whether the roads fall under the Highway by Use Law, and have become town roads through years of public travel and con- tinual maintenance by Knox employees. Salisbury doesn't know why the town hasn't taken ownership of the roads. \I'm all for the town taking the roads over,\ Salisbury recently told'TVie Enterprise. \They have been maintained by the Knox highway depart- ment for 20 years,\ he said. To snowplow Whipple Road, he said, \takes a matter of min- utes,\ and it would \take longer to turn around in the middle of -the road,\ where the road be- comes private than plow the en- tire road. \The reasons we maintain the roads is because school buses travel it and in case of a fire,\ Salisbury said. Salisbury also told The Enter- prise that the roads were built the same from one end to the other and that he would like to have them paved. Department of State spokes- person, Eamon Moynihan, told The Enterprise, that in order for a private road to become a town- owned road, \There has to be some affirmative action....And there has to be some sort of ad- ministrative act.\ While the board has made no declaration on adopting the roads or keeping them private, Supervisor Michael Hammond told. The Enterprise earlier this month, \We will continue to maintain the roads.\ ^ ''\ - „ # fl I II **»&&*'? '' • The Enterprise — Melissa Ann Argay Waving to a rider who speeds by in a blur of color was part of the fun at the Altamont Fair last week. Spinal Health Center o/ GUIL0CRLAK 0 Chiropractic adjustments are safer than taking aspirin! . We offer a broad range of healing and wellness services, including safe, gentle Chiropractic care, nutrition consultation and massage. 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