Otsego superintendent outlines state of schools

3/15/2005

TONTOGANY - Joseph Long, superintendent of Otsego schools, said last night construction of a building for grades 7-12 is to begin in May.

In a state-of-the-schools address, Mr. Long outlined improvements made last summer at the district's three elementary schools and talked about the upcoming building project.

The building, which will be about 92,000 square feet, will connect to the 48,250-square-foot high school to form a complex for middle and high school students.

Construction is being funded by an $18.2 million bond issue passed in March, 2004.

"The next two years will challenge our middle school students and high school students as their learning environments become even more crowded," Mr. Long said. "But the relief for the high school students should be coming in January, 2007, and for our middle school students in August, 2007.

Mr. Long also said the district met the annual yearly progress standard set by state guidelines and urged the audience to contact state legislators to push for improved funding of public schools.

About 50 people attended the state of the schools event in the high school gym. The evening included comments by Christine Ziegler, school treasurer, and architects for the new building.