A large natural grass area behind Lyons Elementary School, long used as a playground and community space, has recently been removed and replaced with a bus loop and parking area. The scope of this work has surprised many community members , and, based on conversations with Board members, some of them as well.

The concern is not simply the loss of green space. It is how this significant change was planned, approved, funded, and communicated to the community.

The community approved the Capital Improvement in August 2023. At that time, the District did not own the property involved. The District acquired it from a Catholic church in December 2024, using a targeted donation of more than $100,000 whose source and terms have not been publicly identified.

The additional construction has been estimated at approximately $5–$10 million. It was presented as an "update" to the original Capital Improvement Project, but there appears to have been no additional vote by District residents and no clearly identified reduction in other work to offset the added cost.

Several important questions sent in email to every Board member remain unanswered:

• Was the District's acquisition of the property and use of the targeted donation conducted in accordance with applicable New York State law?
• Should District voters have been asked to approve this substantial expansion of the original project?
• Did Board members have sufficient information about the scope of the work before voting to approve the "update"? Were Board members shown detailed plans or blueprints of the proposed changes?
• How is the estimated $5–$10 million in additional work funded? If this was added to the original $50 million Capital Improvement Project, what was reduced or eliminated to pay for it?
• Why was the source and agreement associated with the more than $100,000 targeted donation not disclosed?
• What consideration was given to elderly parishioners of St. Michael's Catholic Church, whose parking was represented as being "preserved"?

For details:   Email 1 on Board knowledge and response​;   email 2 on land purchase and scope (no response).

We recognize that improvements to school transportation and infrastructure can be necessary and beneficial. However, significant changes involving public funds, property, and community assets should be transparent and subject to appropriate public oversight.

We are asking for an independent investigation into the planning, approval, funding, property acquisition, and execution of this project, including whether all required procedures were followed and whether the District's actions were in the best interests of the community.

We are asking for transparency, accountability, and meaningful community involvement in future major projects.

Please sign this petition to request an investigation and help ensure that similar concerns do not arise again.