BERNE — A Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School student who uses a wheelchair can’t get from the gym to the cafeteria now because they are on different levels.

BKW Superintendent Steven Schrade informed school board members and the public Monday night about renovations administrators and architects are discussing for the BKW High School to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

Schrade, administrators, and Karl Griffith, of Cataldo, Waters, and Griffith, an architectural firm, recently met, discussed options, and estimated costs. The committee, Schrade said, discussed two possibilities for the school — make additions and alterations to the existing gym to comply with the ADA or tear the old gym down and reconstruct a new facility accessible to those with handicaps.
"Based on state ratios," Schrade said, "it’s more economical to tear down the old gym and build a new one that is handicap-accessible."

The building-aid ratio for the district is 79 percent, Schrade said.

The first option the committee discussed — making additions and alterations to the school’s existing gym, which would consist of adding elevators to access locker rooms and the cafeteria — is projected to cost $8.2 million with the district’s share amounting to $5.7 million.

The second option — to demolish the existing gym and reconstruct a new one with accessible facilities —is defined by the state as remodeling and is projected to cost $10.8 million with the district’s share at $2.8 million.
"In the past 10 to 12 years, we have made progress so we’re not in danger of a sanction or a fine," Schrade told The Enterprise, of complying with the federal act.
"The determining factor," he said, "is that we have four students in wheelchairs — three in the elementary and one in the high school."
"Nothing has been determined yet," Schrade said.

Other business

In other business, the school board:

— Heard the recommendation of Vice President Edward Ackroyd for the board to communicate with supervisors of Berne, Knox, and Westerlo about projected growth of town population to make sure BKW is ready for an increase in school enrollment. A recent study conducted by Cornell University projected a decline in enrollment from 1,100, to 792 in the next decade;

— Heard from Business Administrator Gregory Diefenbach that BKW has been awarded a grant from Toyota for low sulfur emissions mufflers for its diesel buses. The grant, which awards the BKW district $149,150, is the fifth awarded in the state of New York. Diefenbach, however, stated that more research should be conducted, as the mufflers could present corrosion problems;
— Heard from Superintendent Schrade about one of the district’s bus drivers seeking permission to have her child ride with her in the school bus. "We have allowed this," Schrade said. Schrade then recommended board members think about it.

Schrade also recommended the board check with the state’s Department of Transportation. The insurance provider, he said, doesn’t prohibit children not enrolled by the school but does frown upon it. Ackroyd voiced concerns about capacity, seating arrangements, and the safety of the child;

— Heard from board member Maureen Sikule about an excavating company applying for a special-use permit to the town of Berne. Sikule was concerned about the size of the trucks and the width of roads buses travel and possibly endangering children;

— Heard from President Joan Adriance about possibly having representatives from surrounding colleges visit earlier in the school year. Adriance also suggested Parent Night occur earlier than in past years;

— Heard from Schrade that there have been requests from surrounding communities to enroll their students at BKW. Sikule stated that the high school is crowded. Board member Janet Finke said it is a compliment for people to want to come to the school district. The board decided it was not accepting more students;

— Discussed the possibility of adding another softball team. Last spring, 35 to 40 girls tried out, and the school only has 15 uniforms. The board discussed having another team but was uncertain about adding one due to lack of resources and competition from surrounding schools. The board decided to investigate possible options;

— Appointed secondary music teacher Brian Corey as the elementary school principal. Corey is taking a one-year leave of absence to fill Kim LaBelle’s position. LaBelle is now serving as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and special education; and

— Set the tax rate. Parts of seven towns fall within the BKW School District, and rates vary from town to town based on assessments and the state-set equalization rate.

Berne residents will pay $26.40 per $1,000 of assessed value; Knox residents will pay $28.43; New Scotland, $18.48; Middleburgh, $26.07; Wright, $22.42; Rensselaerville, $28.00; and Westerlo residents will pay $1,811.96.

Westerlo has not undergone revaluation in decades so many properties are valued at a fraction of their worth.