Although a decision on the Article 78 case is expected soon, many people in the district are still confused about the nature of this legal action, and its implications for the building of a new elementary school. The issue being decided by the court is whether or not the school district may legally contribute funds for capital improvements which are not on school property.
In this matter, the city is requesting funds for the improvement of the sewer line which will service the new school. The district asserts that the State Education Department prohibits this type of off site expenditure. The city contends that the Middletown school district and other school districts in the state have contributed to off site projects in the past. It needs to be pointed out that the public will pay regardless of which side wins in court. Since the district comprises more than the city of Middletown, either only the people of Middletown will pay in their city taxes, or all the people in the school district will pay in their school taxes. After deciding this issue on principle, any actual cost to the district will be determined.
In order to facilitate the building of the school, the city has already made a generous settlement offer to the district. If the school district will abide by the court's decision, the city immediately will grant a building permit. Dr. Eastwood has refused to accept this offer, has refused negotiations with the city, and has threatened not to build the new school. As in other matters, even when the needs of our students are at stake, Dr Eastwood appears to be inflexible. Rather, he has chosen to insult the Mayor and city government, and accused them of holding to district hostage. Our concern here at inside Middletown schools is the extent to which Dr. Eastwood will go in order to get his way, and whether or not the needs of our students will be be more important to him than his ego.
Currently, the construction bid have been extended until the end of January. With Dr. Eastwood's support from the majority of the board, the fear is whether or not he will abide by, or appeal the court's decision. His decision to appeal could put the building of the new school in jeopardy. By his refusal not to accept the city's settlement offer, it appears that Dr. Eastwood has already decided to appeal. There are also rumors that Dr Eastwood's fight with the city is a smoke screen for not building the school and for blaming the Mayor and the city. This rumor is based on the suspicion that the district may not have the funds necessary to build the new school. We hope these rumors are false.
