Board also elects officers in annual reorganization
The Beacon school board on Monday (July 1) approved sending a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul registering its concerns with the proposed redevelopment of the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill.
Two weeks ago, Hochul announced that a Rochester developer had been chosen to build up to 1,300 housing units over the next decade at the 80-acre site.
Children from homes constructed at Downstate would attend Glenham Elementary, one of Beacon’s four elementary schools, “which are already at or near capacity,” the board wrote. It argued that the increase in tax revenue from the development would do little to help the district, especially given its recent reduction in state foundation aid.
Board members predicted that Conifer Realty, the developer, would challenge its property assessment in an effort to drive down taxes or seek a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement from the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency “due to a claimed inability to construct the development without significant financial assistance.”
Fishkill officials have also criticized the proposal, which must be approved by the town, saying it would overwhelm roads and other infrastructure.
In addition, the school board elected Flora Stadler as president and Meredith Heuer as vice president at its annual organizational meeting on Monday. Stadler had been the vice president for the past three years and Heuer the board president for four years.
The school board on Monday also approved a five-year contract with Superintendent Matt Landahl that runs through the end of the 2028-29 school year. Landahl will earn $220,306 for the first year of the agreement, with his salary in subsequent years based on performance evaluations.
