Voters of the Warwick Valley Central School District will decide on a proposed $14.9 million capital improvement project on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

The proposal carries no additional tax burden for residents and would fund high-need projects prioritized by the Board of Education, including infrastructure improvements at three of the District’s schools, the renovation of the High School auditorium and the modernization of athletic facilities.

The proposal carries no additional tax burden for residents and would fund high-need projects prioritized by the Board of Education, including infrastructure improvements at three of the District’s schools, the renovation of the High School auditorium and the modernization of athletic facilities.

No tax increase associated with $14.9 million proposal

From the early stages of research and planning for the proposed capital project, the Board of Education and district leaders were committed to preventing any additional tax burden on residents.

If approved, district officials estimate that 63.8 percent, or $9.5 million, of the project would be funded by state building aid which was established to encourage communities to maintain their schools. To pay for the remaining 36.2 percent, or $5.4 million, of the proposed project, the District would use funds set aside in its capital reserve.

“This building proposal represents months of rigorous deliberation by our Board of Education and facilities committee, as well as ongoing feedback from parents, students and staff,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “As school leaders and educators, we are pleased to propose a plan that is visionary for our students and community, and mindful of our taxpayers.”

Project overview

The proposed capital improvement work would address three major areas of need:

• Infrastructure projects at Park Avenue and Sanfordville Elementary schools and the High School. The proposed improvements were identified as high priority by the facilities committee of the Board of Education and deliberated with district leaders and architects.
• Renovation of the Warwick Valley High School auditorium.
• Modernization of two athletic facilities, including the replacement of two grass fields with multi-sport turf fields at the Sanfordville.
• Elementary and High School campuses, installation of accessible outdoor restrooms at both locations, and replacement of the High School track.

“Our Board members’ measured consideration of our building needs and our desire to amplify student opportunities was supported by the
feedback of many community members who offered their unique perspectives to district leaders,” said Board President Sharon Davis.

If approved by voters, the proposed work would begin in the fall of 2020.

Referendum at a Glance

• Proposed project total: $14,900,000
• Impact on local property tax: $0
• Portion paid by state: 63.8% or $9.5 million
• Portion paid by capital reserve funds: 36.2% or $5.4 million

Voters of the Warwick Valley Central School District will go to the polls on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to decide on a $14.9 million capital project proposal.

Complete Capital Project proposal information

Detailed information on the proposed projects and costs will be mailed to residents in the form of a newsletter on December 10. The same information is currently available on the District’s website: 2019-20 Capital Project Proposal. 

Voter and polling information

Voter registration

Residents can register at the District Office any school day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Wednesday, Dec. 11. No appointment is necessary.

Voter eligibility

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18-years old or older, and have been a district resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote date. You must also be registered with either the Orange County Board of Elections or the Warwick Valley Central School District.

Absentee ballots

Absentee ballots are available for voters who are unable to vote in person due to illness, physical disability, hospitalization or travel. Applications are required to receive a ballot.

To request your ballot application, contact the District Clerk, Susan Laroe at slaroe@wvcsd.org or 845-987-3000, ext. 10511. If you want your ballot mailed to you, your application must be received by Wednesday, Dec. 11. If you plan to pick up an application and ballot in person you may do so until Tuesday, Dec. 17. Only the voter can personally pick up a ballot. Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Polling locations

Election District 1
Pine Island Fire Department

Election District 2
Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center (Middle School addition)

Election District 3
Kings Elementary School Building

Not sure where to vote? Contact Jen Bengel, Elections Coordinator, at: jbengel@wvcsd.org or call: 845-987-3000 ext. 10530

Today, Monday, Nov. 25, at approximately 12:15 p.m., an ambulance was called to the Warwick Valley High School to provide medical assistance to a student. To ensure clear and unobstructed access to the medical team, the school implemented a hold-in-place protocol for approximately 20 minutes. Students remained in their classrooms during that period of time.

Warwick Valley was proudly represented on the stage of the iconic Radio City Music Hall when the WVHS  Meistersingers put on a spirited opening act for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, on Monday, Nov. 25. 

Performing in a sold out 6,015-seat venue, they earned the honor by impressing judges with a few audio tapes.  

Student singers arranged their own composition combining The Christmas Song, White Christmas, The Grinch, We Three Kings, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. The audience’s warm response peaked when senior Charlie Phelan stepped up to the mic and wowed them with a deep bass solo from the Grinch musical.  

“It was such a surreal experience to know that I got to stand in the same place as so many great performers,” said Morgan Pietrzak, a junior. Ellie Hanson was especially excited to be on the same stage as her great-grandmother who was a Rockette in the 1930’s. She wore her great-grandmother’s pearls for the occasion.

After introducing the Rockettes, the Meistersingers took a seat and enjoyed the great Christmas Spectacular! “The show was just magical,” said Natalie Kitchen, a sophomore.

Upcoming performances by the Meistersingers

Nov. 29 – Warwick Tree Lighting, 5:45-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 – Greenwood Lake Tree Lighting, 5 p.m.
Dec. 3 – St. Anthony’s Tree Lighting, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 – Pine Island Tree Lighting, 5 p.m.
Dec. 7 – Home for the Holidays, 9 a.m. – noon
Dec. 7 & 8 – Warwick Performing Arts Production of Nutcracker
Dec. 12 – Winter Concert; 6:30 p.m. pre-show, 7 p.m. concert
Dec. 14 – Wreaths Across America, 9 a.m.
Dec. 14 – Sugarloaf, 1:30-3 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Charlotte’s Tea Room, 11a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Historical Society Party, 6 p.m.
Dec. 19 – VFW Christmas Party at the Country Club, 7 p.m.

Congratulations to all Warwick Valley Middle School fifth-graders named to the High Honor and Honor Rolls of the first marking period. 

Grade 5 High Honor Roll

Grant Adams, Michael Arms, Shane Belschner, Brianna Bingham, Anna Biondi, Nicholas Blandino, Anika Brezina, Ashlyn Brown, Julianna Browning, Danellen Bussell, Lily Chase, Nina Cirillo, Juliette Cloutier, Samantha Corcoran, Jake Cosco, Isabella Costanza, Lucas Cresser, Rebecca D’Ambrosio, Violet Decker, Brandon Delamarter, Jameson Devine, Benjamin DiMartino, Rosario Dovico, Laura Edwards, Keene Eicher, Logan Fanizza, Peter Fernandez, Daniel Ferris, Michael Freedman, Carly Freet, Maximus Gonzalez-Cordero, Ryder Green, Lucas Greh,Aveline Gujar, Zoe Harkness ,Aidan Harvey, Alexis Hayden, Braedan Hayes, Ryan Helmen, Tyler Hill, Kayla Jones, Garrett Judd, Joseph Kadus, Austin Kantor, Riley Kimiecik, Daria Kitar, Sean Klein, Alexander Kobrick,Peyton Komorsky, Amanda Larsen, Autumn Anne Levine, Thomas Maiorana, Conor McVeigh, Sara Mirza, Anyelina Monroy Salazar, Camryn Moore, Bryan Morales, Rosalie Mountford, Shannon Murray, Hannah Murray, Madison Murtagh, Adriana Natoli, Juliet Novak, Shane O’Hara, Olivia Peconie, James Pittsenbarger, Hayes Pizanie, Emmerson Powers, Thomas Ranaudo, Logan Rivelli, Gabriella Romero, Julia Schlesinger, Mackenzie Sciarra, Gianna Sganga, Abigail Sorrell, Aidan Stubbs, Dylan Svec, Livijana Thompson, Violet Tinnirello, Mia Trinceri, Nicholas Vicciardo, Kenya Vicente, Olivia Zottola

Grade 5 Honor Roll

Justin Acosta, Anthony Altieri, Victoria Alvarado, Lianna Bacenet, Eliza Barnett, Charlie Bastone, Sydney Becker, Madison Burke, Robert Carroll, Grace Carter, Logan Clawson, Cora Colin-Green, Aedyn Conway, Zora Cooper, Alyssa Cruz, Eugene Cummings, Sophia Dameron, Nicholas D’Amico, Madison De Jesus, Charlotte DeGuzman, Rocco Della Monica, Jose Luis Dominguez, Nicholas Doyle, Samaya Emptage, Douglas Evans, Anthony Fasolino, Nora Finnegan, Elizabeth Ford, Luke Fowler, Holden Frommeyer, Benjamin Glass, Jack Gobinski, Noah Goetz, Jenna Grady, Celia Greco, Zoe Ham, Nickolaus Hefner, Grayden Holmgren, Ethan Hughes, Sydney Introini, Micah Jean, Thelonious Kastan, Jared Kearns, Margaret Kenny, Beckett Ketchum, Cameron Knox, Landon Komorsky, Kurtis Langone, Kelsy Larney, Gianna Lepre, Madison Lijoi, Gianna Lingle, Alexander Lucas, Madelyn Luciano, Daniel Lupkovich, Christopher Mangels, Jack Marina, Savannah Martino, Juliana Masker, Leila McCabe, Bruce McClain, Cecelia McCormick-Bullinger, Caylin McDonnell, Rylee Mendrzycki, Cole Micallef, Jackson Miceli, Aliyah Montgomery, Tiffany Moore, Leana Muniz, Logan Nagel, Abigail O’Brien, Emma Oelofse, Catherine Paulsen, Michael Pellino, Keira Pembridge, Sean Perez, Madeline Pesta, Ryan Pesta, Stephanie Pickering, Liam Pinelli, Harrison Piskadlo, Sophie Quicke, Alix Ragans, Nina Rametta, Kadence Redner, Emma Rudnick, Ana Rukiqi, Nicholas Ryan Jr., Maximus Sherman, Katelyn Sirico, Lea Sit, Luka Sita, Matthew Skafidas, Shea Smith, Levi Solari, Allison Starr, Jack Walsh, Parker Walters, Freya Webb, Henry Wright, Lexi Young,Frank Zottola

In observance of Veterans Day, Warwick Valley schools will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11. 

Park Avenue Elementary Drama Club’s production of Walt Disney’s Jungle Book Kids is SOLD OUT!

Performances:

• Friday, Nov. 22 – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 23 – 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Warwick Valley elementary schools will dismiss at 11:35 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.

The regular meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, December 9, will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be held in the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center Board/Community Room.  

The Warwick Valley Central School District Board of Education appointed Bill Biniaris as the new Principal of the Park Avenue Elementary School, during the Board’s Dec. 9 meeting. 

Mr. Biniaris brings 22 years of experience in public education with New York City Schools, including his most recent assignment as principal of the 30th Avenue School in Queens, a K-8 citywide gifted and talented school. In this role, Mr. Biniaris was instrumental in growing and establishing 30th Avenue’s values of inclusion of diverse student identities, and inquiry-based learning in collaborative environments. 

Mr. Biniaris received a B.A. in accounting from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Education from Mercy College. An Advanced School Leadership Certificate from SUNY Hunter resulted in a School Building Leadership Certificate and a District Leadership Certificate. 

“I’m very excited to be a part of Park Avenue’s long-standing history as a school community that values collaboration between staff and parents, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and hear about their experiences with the school and the district,” Principal Biniaris said. 

Mr. Biniaris lives with wife Lauren and children Zoe and Susannah Biniaris in Garrison, NY.