BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Vaping is a continuing problem at Massena Central School, something officials appear poised to tackle in the next capital project.

According to student ex-officio Isabel Beard, who is a student liaison to the board of education, students have raised concerns regarding vaping in bathrooms with more than one toilet.

She said vaping has been a consistent issue in larger bathrooms, leading some students to feel they appear associated with vaping despite not participating.

Board member Robert LeBlanc posed the question to Beard following her report to the board, asking for her input.

LeBlanc said he was aware of the ongoing issue and as the chair of the district's Facilities Committee was seeking solutions.

“When I asked Isabel for more details about the problematic corner bathrooms, I knew about the problems. I just wanted to know what she was feeling about it and just make sure that there’s no confusion because we know about the problem,” he said.

School officials, including Superintendent Ron Burke, addressed the concerns students have raised regarding the corner bathrooms referred to as "gang-style" bathrooms due to having more than one toilet.

"“What we’re hearing from our students, as Isabel said, is because there’s so much vaping that goes on, there’s guilt by association. Especially if you’re a student athlete, that becomes a real major issue," Burke said.

He said the concern extends to the entire student body, with many with a clean record saying they do not want to appear that they are vaping simply for using a bathroom where someone may be.

Burke said district officials hope to convert one boy's and one girl's bathroom into individualized restrooms, as opposed to the gang-style bathrooms, in order to provide more options for students.

He said that project would likely be part of the next capital project, which voters will see on May 20.

As for the next capital project, Burke said the price tag currently sits at $79.9 million, with the district expected to receive building aid to cover 97% of the project.

" I always want to put that caution out, though, that just because we have a 97% building aid ratio, that doesn’t mean that’s what we’re actually going to get. There will be certain aspects of the project that are not going to be aidable,” Burke said.

The project would require the district to utilize $7 million from the capital reserve fund, something that would ensure no impact to taxpayers, he said.

The projects included would cover HVAC repairs and replacements for boilers, along with a steam pipe running to the high school, as well as new cooling units in certain areas of each school, roof replacements, ceiling replacements, new lighting, exterior toilets near grass athletic fields, as well as renovations to the girl's locker room and pool renovations.

Help St. Lawrence County Stay Connected!

We’re glad you read this article reported by the staff of NorthCountryNow.com.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to ensure you have full access to all the news and info about St. Lawrence County.

Your subscriptions make it possible for us to provide trustworthy local news, promote our many community events, and encourage community dialogue.

Please click here to subscribe today!