Community members invited to upcoming public workshop to help determine future of West Leyden Elementary

LEWIS COUNTY- Adirondack School taxpayers and members of the Lewis County community are invited to an upcoming public workshop, which will help determine the ultimate fate of the West Leyden Elementary School.

Last summer, the Board of Education voted unanimously (7-0) to close the building and move the fifth grade to the Middle School.

The voted proposition also included a large scale project to update the Boonville Elementary building. The other propositions proposed were to maintain all buildings as is and to update both West Leyden and Boonville Schools, or, close both West Leyden and Boonville and add an elementary complex at the Middle and High School (much like South Lewis did a few years ago).

Sources say West Leyden Elementary is aimed to close at the end of this school year and has been a cornerstone of the community since its construction in the late 1920’s.

This upcoming public workshop is aimed for Tuesday, March 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the West Leyden Elementary Gymnasium.

The facility is nearly 45,000 square-foot, complete with a playground and athletic fields, presents a unique redevelopment opportunity not only for West Leyden, but for the Town of Lewis and Lewis County, according to local officials from the county's office of Planning and Community Development.

The workshop will be held in an open-house format, with attendees invited to peruse the provided materials displaying project progress to-date, including an architectural review of the existing conditions of the building, findings from the local market analysis, and a summary of results from the public survey.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions and engage with project representatives to learn more about the project and the next steps.

Officials say that community participation is vital to the success of this project. Residents, business owners, and all other interested parties are encouraged to attend and contribute their ideas for the future of West Leyden Elementary School.

For more information about the West Leyden Elementary School Reuse Project or to submit feedback if unable to attend the workshop, please contact Casandra Buell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Adirondack CSD and Lewis County.gov. images.