CORTLANDT, N.Y. Some of Blue Mountain Middle Schools aging facilities would be renovated in Hendrick Hudson School Districts controversial new capital improvements project plan. The plan would cost $30.1 million, and include a separate performing arts center, but would also renovate many outdated facilities within the middle school.
The middle school was originally constructed in 1969, and many of the classrooms are vintage to the construction of the building. If approved, the Board of Education will vote on the bond proposal on Oct. 19, the bond would gut the middle schools exiting science classrooms, improve the aging visual arts facilities and renovate the existing auditorium.
Blue Mountain Middle Schools science classrooms would receive a renovated river ecology room. Some of them live within a stones throw of the Hudson River, said Principal John Owens. The districts one middle school serves the hamlet of Verplanck and the Village of Buchanan, which both border the river.
Owens added that hands-on science learning is important for all kids, but perhaps especially for middle school children. He said the additions would allow the schools river ecology program to expand dramatically, and could even allow teachers to do things like have lives river creatures, suc as eels, in the classroom. Four other science classrooms would be renovated.
Blue Mountains current auditorium was originally designed, in 1969, as three lecture halls with movable walls. The auditorium would be renovated with new seats, and a redesigned back stage. The current auditorium has almost no wing space, fly space or storage facilities.
Finally, some of the middle school's aging furniture in the visual arts rooms would be replaced, and additional storage added. There is also a proposal to enlarge the orchestra room. Owens said he believes the entire district would benefit from the performing arts center, which would allow the school to have its "moving up ceremony" there, and allow for inter-school collaborations and performances.
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