A recent Watkins Glen High School graduate has expressed concerns over the Watkins Glen Central School District’s proposed SOAR ’29 Capital Improvement Project, urging voters to carefully consider the initiative’s priorities before casting their ballots.
In a letter to the editor published in The Odessa File, Giuseppe La Face acknowledged the importance of infrastructure and safety upgrades included in the project but questioned whether the proposed aesthetic enhancements align with the district’s core mission of education.
La Face praised planned improvements such as upgraded wayfinding signage and necessary playground repairs, noting their practical benefits to students, staff, and visitors. However, he took issue with the project’s apparent focus on modern design elements and features such as a revamped auditorium entrance with a contemporary canopy, calling them “unnecessary additions” that do not directly support student learning.
“Why were shared spaces selected for upgrades over classrooms?” La Face asked, adding that the emphasis on athletic facilities seemed misplaced given the broader needs of Pre-K through 12th-grade classrooms.
The letter also highlighted concerns about planned renovations to the high school cafeteria. Drawing from personal experience, La Face questioned whether significant investment in the space would be properly maintained, given ongoing issues with student care and respect for the facility.
“Will the district implement new policies or strategies to ensure that these improvements are properly maintained once the renovations are completed?” he wrote.
La Face argued that the district’s funds would be better spent addressing pressing needs in classroom and restroom facilities, areas he described as being in “dire need of updates and repairs.”
The SOAR ’29 Capital Improvement Project was unveiled on August 5, 2024, in collaboration with HUNT-EAS. Since then, it has been the subject of public forums and district communications. While the initiative aims to modernize the school environment, community feedback has been mixed, with some residents raising similar concerns about prioritization and long-term impact.
As the district prepares for the community vote on December 17, La Face urged voters to carefully evaluate the proposal, emphasizing the importance of ensuring funds are directed toward initiatives that directly benefit student learning rather than purely aesthetic enhancements.
“It is extremely easy to be swayed when things are aesthetically pleasing,” he wrote. “District voters, I encourage you to vote wisely, ensuring that any monies used are to the benefit of our learners.”
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