Greece Central School Board addresses contamination concerns near Arcadia High School

Concerns over toxic contamination near Greece Arcadia High School dominated the Greece Central School District Board of Education meeting on June 3, 2025. Community member Brendan Bolson raised alarms about contamination detected behind the school, urging the board to take immediate action to protect students and residents.

Bolson highlighted recent contamination results from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which revealed concerning levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) in surface water near the school. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the Greece Arcadia track team frequently runs through the contaminated area, which he described as a "hose spigot that has not been turned off." He urged the board to ensure that the track team avoids the contaminated site until further testing and remediation can be conducted.

Ryan Murphy, another community member, echoed Bolson's concerns, stressing the need for proactive measures rather than reactive responses. He warned that the presence of "borderline lethal amounts of chemicals" poses a significant risk to students and called for full-scale testing to be prioritized. Murphy offered to assist the board in connecting with testing agencies to address the contamination issue.

The board's response included a commitment to gather more information and assess the situation further. However, tensions flared when a board member took offense at the suggestion of negligence, asserting that the district has been actively addressing the contamination concerns.

As the meeting transitioned to staffing updates, the board introduced four new administrators, signaling a shift in focus. However, the pressing issue of contamination remains a critical concern for the community, with calls for immediate action to safeguard the health and safety of students and residents alike. The board's next steps will be closely watched as they navigate this urgent public health matter.