111005 Shovels hit the dirt as Fox Lane construction begins
BY ABBY LUBY
They called it Fox Lane's version of the "Big Dig," with six white-handled shovels standing immersed at the bottom of a small mountain of dirt in front of the high school. Two large backhoes were towering over the large dirt mound, poised for work expected to last until 2007.
It was a day that had been talked about for over four years, a day that brought together the Bedford community to witness the beginning construction for the new Fox Lane High School.
On Wednesday, state and county officials, school administrators, students, teachers, and community members participated in the official groundbreaking ceremony in front of Fox Lane High School in Mount Kisco. Braving the chilly November day were the Fox Lane High School Brass Ensemble, led by Dr. Paul Tooker, and the Fox Lane High School Mixed Chorus, led by Edward Reisert.
"Today
is truly a watershed event," said Robin Schamberg, assistant principal at the high school. "Everyone here is now part of this significant day."Ms. Schamberg referred to the raw cement floors at the high school stripped for asbestos removal last year as the "shabby-chic cement" look. The removal was the initial preparation for construction of the high school last year.
Introducing school superintendent Debra Jackson, Ms. Schamberg said, "Dr. Jackson started last
year just in time to oversee our cement look at the high school."Dr. Jackson thanked the chorus and band. Addressing an audience of more than 50 people, she said, "The voices and the harmony that you've heard from the students captures much of the spirit here at the high school. Today we are here in front of this huge amount of dirt thanks to the generosity of some creative individuals who gave of their time to this community. When it became necessary, they brought forth this concept and made it a reality."'
Dr. Jackson quoted a letter from the board president when the district first started 50'years ago.
"He was at the groundbreaking then, and his letter tells of a commitment, a determination and passion for our young people," she said. "That determination is still strong with many of us today. I'd like to thank the community for their generosity. The cornerstone on the high school is 50 years old, and it shows the Bedford community's commitment to constructing a new school. Today we are moving forward with that commitment."Board of education president Mark Slivka stood in front of the dirt hill. "I'd like everyone to look around, especially here. Tell me what you see," he said. "I see a big mess. But I've been told that, and I can see that it's a mess with an intelligent design. Today we stand as one, a community of communities, united with those of the past who believed that a free public education was and remains a great American experiment, a national treasure. A free public education that creates a common heritage, promotes understanding, and works to prevent class divisions and class lines."
Mr. Slivka said the community's overwhelming support of the $68 million bond
in 2002 supports those continuing beliefs."The bond was, in large part, to construct a new Fox Lane High School," he said. "Just as residents before us proclaimed their belief in public education, so we now look forward to the generations of our children and our children's children learning in these schools."
Bedford supervisor Lee Roberts congratulated Dr. Jackson, the staff, and the board. "I thank you on behalf of our most precious resource, our children," said Ms. Roberts. "As residents of Bedford, we are all proud of the far-reaching vision for the future that becomes tangible today and will eventually culminate in a much better place to educate and nurture our youth. The town board congratulates you on your efforts and looks forward to the day when we will celebrate completion of your buildings together."
Mr. Slivlka pointed to the work of assistant superintendent of business Mark Betz for his long years with the district. "Mark has had the longest run here, hest assistant superintendent of business in the entire state."
Senator Vincent Leibell and Assemblyman Adam Bradley shared the podium in a joint address.
"This is an exciting day," said Mr. Bradley. "`You need to have excellent facilities for an excellent school district. I look forward to being here when the new school finally opens."
Mr. Leibell acknowledged the work that has preceded the ground-breaking. "There has been a tremendous amount of work that has gone into this project," said Mr. Leibell. "Students in the future will get a great facility to go along with the great education this district. has always provided."
Addressing some of his peers in the audience and in the chorus and band, student council president Joseph Charalel thanked the administration. "It's not only the place that makes for a good education, it's the people."
Other notable people present at the groundbreaking ceremony that were involved with the passage of the 2002 bond were former district superintendent Bruce Dennis and former board president Elin Sullivan.
"This is really nostalgic," said Dr. Dennis before the ceremony.
Bedford police chief Chris Menzel was thanked for his department's assistance managing the new traffic patterns around the construction, among other activities. The local Lions club was represented by Mary Dudzinski, the district governor of the Lions Club.
Goodie bags with a special Fox Lane High School pen and "Construction Crew" T-shirts were given to the spokespersons.
The two largest projects under the 2002 bond were Mount Kisco Elementary School and Fox Lane High School. To date, 50 percent of the work is done at the elementary school, and work just started this fall at the high school. The plan calls for a new three–story building that will include 47 new general classrooms, 15 science labs, 11 music rooms, and extensive renovations to the existing building.
The original budget for the high school was $35,219,362, but because of application delays and rising construction costs, residents will vote on an additional $8,903,805 completion bond Nov. 22.