By ANGELA MARSHALL
After more than five years of planning and preparation, the newly enlarged Baldwin Middle School welcomed its first class of sixth graders on opening day last week. Despite a wet summer of construction delays, almost 500 students were able to move into the newly created sixth grade wing.
"The opening of school was very smooth," said Principal Raymond White. "The kids were extremely cooperative and everyone's real excited about the whole new middle school setup."
When the decision to move the sixth grade was announced in 1997, there were a wealth of concerns raised by parents. They worried about rushing the sixth graders into a more adult environment and questioned the cost of the program. Still, when the proposal was put to a vote in December of 1998, residents gave their approval.
Even as students entered the school, construction continued on the building's main entrance and music wing. "I was a little concerned," one parent admitted about the state of the building in the weeks prior to opening. However, she said she was pleased by what she found Wednesday morning.
"The sixth grade wing is really very, very nice," said PTA Co-President Ellen Holland, whose daughter Rebecca Arnzen is in the sixth grade. "She loves it."
Ms. Holland was impressed by the way the school district handled the move and is glad that measures were taken to help the children adapt. Her daughter attended Milburn Elementary School, which is one of the smallest in the district. Rebecca said she has found it easy to make friends with her new classmates.
"Everything seems to be going very smoothly," Ms. Holland said.
Principal White, with megaphone in hand, greeted his newest charges at the door Wednesday and gave them a pep talk about school spirit before leading them into the building.
"We're looking forward to an outstanding year," Principal White said as the first week came to a close.
The district made its first interest payment on the $8.7 million bond on September first. New York State is expected to pay for $5.6 million of the bond leaving $3.1 million for the district to pay off over the next 15 years. The first principle payment will be made on September 1, 2001, and the last on September 1, 2015.
The average homeowner, whose house is valued at $6,600, is expected to pay approximately $25.08 per year.
