Groundbreaking for 'Classroom 2000'
Cooke proud of Monticello

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - More than 150 students, parents, educators and concerned residents gathered on a blustery March 26 for a community ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the Monticello "Classroom 2000" facilities project in a parking lot of the high school. The future site of Robert J. Kaiser Middle School was still covered with trees, although trailers and heavy equipment stood ready nearby.

At a spot which will mark the main entrance to the new conjoined junior-senior high school building, an estimated 150 youth and adults joined to celebrate student achievements. Three shy kindergartners led the crowd in the "Pledge of Allegiance."

The new middle school-planned for September 2001-is part of a bond issue approved three years ago, superintendent Eileen Casey said. After remarks by board president Jack Leshner, student council president Ilana Kaufman gave a short speech.

Edward McCormick, president of the NYS School Boards Association, said, "Public education in New York is sound and the outlook is very good," adding that the state is second in the nation for high school graduates going on to college.

Retired chief judge Lawrence Cooke stressed that a well-rounded education system strengthens character as well as teaching basics. Cooke's remarks are on page 5.

Leshner introduced the retired chief judge and Monticello High School graduate as "a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Sullivan County. "

"Paraphrasing Plato: No greater ambition hath any man or woman than but his or her son or daughter be the best of men and women," said the 85-year-old Cooke in a strong voice. "The groundbreaking we witness here is the latest manifestation of this community to do the most possible for the youth of this area."

A series of pupils shoveled sand to ceremonially break ground. Representing the classes of 2000 to 2012 were: Anderson Braga (Grade 1, Cooke School); Emily Martin (Grade 2, Duggan School), Owen Goodman (Grade 3, Chase School), Whitney Mitchell and Ishmael Weekes (Grade 5, Rutherford School); Leyden Johnson, Quiana Beckham and Peter Murray (Grades 6, 7 and 8, Middle School); and Jenna Diaco, Jordan Woods, Marissa Peluso and Arlisa Woodard (Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, High School).

Casey said the project will cost $34.1 million-including a "very basic" new middle school and improvements to the high school and elementary art, music, library and media facilities. All 3,527 district students will directly benefit, she said.

The project was delayed by a lawsuit by taxpayers who questioned what the use of the old Middle School on St. John St. will be once construction is done. Casey said the suit cost taxpayers a million dollars in buying power due to increased costs.