Pocono News Section

Renovation Reaction

Renovation Reaction - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 4:52PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 @ 04:52pm EST
STROUDSBURG - A crowd packed into Stroudsburg High School's cafeteria to see the end of a long debate. For months school board members wrestled with their decision - build a new high school or renovate the old one. The final vote - five to four - in favor of renovation.

"My eyes welled up. I can't even tell you the sense the I felt," said Barbara Magnano. She organized a community movement to support the renovation plan. She feels like she won a battle.

But not everyone is as excited as Barbara. The Garcia family will be forced to move out so the district can knock down their home and build a new soccer field.

Esteban Garcia said, "I thought I was going to put down roots here and just enjoy myself but now I have to uproot myself again and more expense."

He and his wife bough their home about a year ago. They came from New York to retire in the Poconos. Now they have to find a new home. "As we say in New York, you can't fight City Hall," said Garcia.

The Garcia's aren't the only ones who will have to leave. The district already owns 15 homes in the neighborhood and plans to buy at least twelve more.

Dr. John Toleno the District Superintendent said even though the school board was originally divided on the build versus renovate decision - members have now come together. He explained, "At this point in time they're saying ok. It is what it is. We're going to make it the best project possible."

Building planners and architects started the renovation plans before the school board looked into building a new school. Now those planners will pick up where they left off.

The district expects to start renovation construction in about a year.