$7.9M captial project approved for C-S
BY DERRICK EK THE LEADER

CAMPBELL - Residents of the Campbell-Savona Central School District voted to approve a $7.9 million facilities improvement project Tuesday, August 7.

The proposition passed with 120 "yes" votes and 20 "no" votes, according to Kathleen Hagenbuch, the district's director of instruction.

"We're very pleased," she said.

The entire project will be funded with state aid, and there will be no tax increase, Hagenbuch said.

According to Hagenbuch, approximately 50 percent of the funds will be used for safety improvements, including a new, separate bus entrance at the elementary school in Savona that will keep bus traffic away from parents dropping off and picking up kids before and after school.

Also, a new, more secure main entrance will be built at the elementary school, and cameras and security equipment will be added at the elementary school and the junior-senior high school in Campbell.

Roughly 30 percent of the funds will be used for repairs to infrastructure, such as roofs; as well as to upgrade classrooms and computer labs, Hagenbuch said.

The other 20 percent of the funds will go toward projects to enhance the district's instructional technology.

Those projects include adding distance learning labs, which will allow students to go on virtual field trips and take classes from instructors at other educational institutions.

Also, wireless internet areas called "hot spots" will be added in school libraries, and "interactive whiteboards" will be added to classrooms which will allow teachers to use online programs in front of the class, Hagenbuch added.