Salmon River to vote on $49.8 million upgrade

The Salmon River Central School District is planning a massive upgrade that will likely begin this summer. In February, voters in the district will be asked to approve the first phase of the project – a $49,851,232 capital project that will focus on the main campus and bus garage.

“Salmon River has not kept pace with capital improvements with school districts in this region and across the state,” said Jane Collins, superintendent of the district.

The Salmon River Board of Education approved the project on January 7, 2008, following several years of planning.

Major components of the renovation project include moving sixth-graders from the St. Regis Mohawk School to the main campus into a middle school setting for all sixth, seventh, and eighth-graders in the district. The main campus will then consist of a K-5 elementary unit, a 6-8 middle school, and a 9-12 high school.

The middle school will be constructed “with a focus on students’ academic, social, cultural and emotional needs.”

“A middle school will help create a culture that provides students with a distinct identity – something critical to success for students of this age,” Collins stated. “The program will foster a sense of school pride that will lead to improved student relationships and student achievement.”

The renovations will also include the development of 21st century K-12 classrooms that are equipped with state of the art technologies and science labs, improved and expanded learning areas, upgrades to the high school office suite and new or improved dining areas.

“Our students have breakfast and lunch in facilities that are outdated and in need of significant improvements,” said Collins. “The new facilities will create more optimal dining environments and allow an improved menu.”

The school also plans to construct a Mohawk education suite in a centrally located area of the school.

The academic facilities of the school will also see vast improvements. A new middle school gym will be built, the high school gym will be renovated, two additional soccer/lacrosse fields will be developed, the arena rink will be improved and the swimming pool will be refurbished.

“With the creation of new high school classrooms and office areas for community based services, the students will have optimal learning environments,” said Collins. “When the project is completed the middle school and high school will have 21st Century facilities equipped with technological tools that will assist our teachers in providing instructional approaches that are in keeping with a 21st Century program which our students deserve.”

The renovations will be paid for through state aid, with little expense to the district residents.

“We have reviewed the impact on the budget,” Collins said. “While there will be

additional costs with custodial fees and operating costs, there will be additional revenues generated from state aid.”

The renovations will not only improve the daily school experience for the average child, but for special needs children as well. Students who attend special education schools off the main campus will be kept at Salmon River when the renovations are complete, with more room being created through the construction of additional classrooms. Parents of those children will then also have closer contact with their child’s teachers.

The school is also working with BOCES in the development of a Construction Trades Academy that would be located on the Salmon River campus.

“The Construction Trades Academy … will provide our students with a two year Career and Technical Endorsement training program,” said Collins. “We will be developing career pathways that match jobs in the construction trades.”

Collins said that the school board is “committed to creating the most optimal learning

environments for the students of Salmon River.” She encourages stakeholders to contact herself, Jane Collins, at the District office, (518)358-6610, with any questions concerning the capital project.

(The full details of the project can be read on Page 10).