Facilities Study

The Facilities Study Committee has been working with consultants since May, examining many aspects of the District's finances, facilities, and programs, as it works to make recommendations to the Board of Education. The committee was formed to be representative of parents, employees and community members. When the Board receives the final report from the committee they will have to make decisions as to what is best for the students' and the District's long term health. The Board can choose a different course of action than recommended by the Facilities Study Committee. The Board will conduct a public forum prior to making any decision.

The Committee will meet for the last time on January 3, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Virgil Elementary School. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of Education at their meeting on January 23, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kaufman Center.

Auditorium Renovation

On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, the Cortland educational community turned out at the polls to support the renovation of the auditorium. Located at the Junior Senior High School, it’s the only auditorium we have in the district; all seven schools share it. The $6.5 million capital project was approved 386 to 109. The 1964 auditorium has been relatively untouched since it was constructed and is in need of safety upgrades and significant modernization. Almost all of the project (88%) will be funded by the state, and the Board of Education has saved enough in the Capital Reserve Account to cover the other 12% without having to raise taxes.

Now that the community has endorsed the project, architects from King & King will work with District staff to develop detailed plans which have to be submitted to the State Education Department for approval. Unfortunately, the wait for project review and approval is very long, so it could be until January of 2019 when the project can be put out to bid. Construction could then commence. There will be a period of time, as long as a year, when the auditorium is unavailable for use and alternate locations will host our concerts and theatrical events. In the long run, however, it will be well worth it.