Guest Column: Consider the Facts Before Conte Vote
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From the first day I took office in 2010, I promised all that I would be inclusive and transparent and that I would work to find the best solutions to move this city forward. I continue to deal with many issues, but none are as important as our Conte School project.
I believe it is my responsibility to make the hard decisions today that leave our city better and stronger tomorrow, and that kicking the can down the road is not in the best interest of our community or our public school system.
I, as well as many others, have been working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), School Building Committee, School Committee, architects and City Council to study, analyze, recommend and fund a new school building project. Those involved were charged to find a solution that would be most beneficial to our school system and the children it serves. The decision to renovate Conte School was recommended and approved by all the elected and appointed bodies mentioned above.
There has been considerable misinformation circulated by a host of misinformed sources. Please recognize these facts:
• The cost of this project to the city will be $6.5 million dollars or 20 percent of the total project cost. It will be absorbed into the budget without the need for a tax override or debt exclusion.
• It will ease overcrowding in our schools by moving some students from Brayton to Conte
• Conte will host a full-size gymnasium, a performance stage, bleachers, and more designated playground space than Greylock and Sullivan combined
• Technology and academic environment will offer the latest in 21st-century learning
• Conte School will answer the district's commitment to provide a neighborhood school in the east end of the City
• Conte School will preserve one of our historic buildings; one that has been a school for over 100 years
• Voting "no" will force the city to submit a new statement of interest and begin the entire process again; one that has taken us six years
• The MSBA is providing more than $23 million dollars or 80 percent of the project cost. The City of North Adams received the highest reimbursement rate awarded within the commonwealth. In addition, this award is the single largest amount of state money ever awarded to the city of North Adams.
• This epic amount, if rejected, will be given to the next community with a viable project
While you may have questions or may not be totally in agreement with this solution, I only ask that you consider the facts above. After careful consideration, please think of what is best for our city and for our public school system. Know that I, as well as all those elected and appointed to make this decision, have done our homework and have made a fully informed decision with the best interests of our children driving that decision.
The Conte School renovation project, if allowed to move forward by the voters of our city, will be a true source of community spirit and pride. I have said many times that the only money we spend in city government that represents investment, is the money that we spend on education. Our city and our children deserve a 21st-century learning environment and the Conte School renovation will make that possible. This project is worthy of overwhelming community support
This is our time and Conte School is our project. Please vote "YES" on April 30 and assure our children and our community a bright and promising future.
Mayor Richard Alcombright is also the chairman of the School Committee.
Tags: Conte School, election, school project,
