“KHS-TV is going to run a couple of segments on what the new high school plan would look like and what it would mean to our school,” Manuel said. “And we’re going to put up some posters around the campus. Probably at a couple of the student assemblies we’ll mention it and have a discussion about it. We’re going to promote it this fall and get kids engaged.”
Padalino added that kids in the middle and elementary schools will also have an opportunity to hear about the proposal.
“We want to inform the parents and students at the elementary level because they’re the students who are going to walk into that new building,” he said.
What about the timing?
One question Padalino has heard and expects to continue to hear is about the timing of the vote. Some critics in the community said they would have preferred to see the district present its referendum during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, as turnout would likely be greater. (Both the City of Kingston and the Town of Ulster have local races in the ballot this year.) Padalino said that isn’t a realistic option.
“That’s part of our communications plan, we’re putting together a rationale for people as to why it’s not as simple as that,” Padalino said. “Voting districts are different. The machines the county uses are different. And conceivably, you could have someone who lives in Kingston who votes in a Saugerties polling place in the county election. And people seem to think it’s free if we hold it that way, and it’s not. We would still bear the costs of poll workers and rentals. I know there’s people who believe that isn’t true, but it is.”
Plus, Padalino added, the district felt a December vote would give them an opportunity to sell the plan to as many people as possible.
“We really wanted that extra 30 days,” Padalino said. “This is a $137 million building project. We need to have the time to get as much information into the hands of people who will make the decision as possible.”
For more information on the proposal, public forums and how to get involved, Padalino said people should keep an eye on the Kingston City School District’s official website: www.kingstoncityschools.org.
Join the family! 
