Westhampton High School to Get Greenhouse

A proposal to construct a greenhouse at was given the green light on Monday night by a vote of the school board.

The greenhouse, which was proposed by the Hurricane Foundation and the district’s science department, aims to provide an educational experience for all students in the district, according to foundation trustee Florence Wiles.

Wiles said the 30- by 60-foot greenhouse, which will be made of polycarbonate plastic, would provide hands-on education.

The benefits are plentiful she said, adding the East End has many jobs in agriculture and horticulture and the addition of a greenhouse would aid students looking to get into the growing industry.

At some point, the district could, said Wiles, create a similar to one started at the last month.

The Hurricane Foundation, said Wiles, has already started fund-raising--using a buy-a-name program--for the greenhouse, which is estimated to cost $60,000.

For $50, families or individuals can buy a nameplate to be placed on an existing fence, called the Green Days Fence, on the school grounds on Mill Road.

The goal is to raise the money by the end of 2011 so the greenhouse can be installed in 2012.

Wiles says the cost to run the greenhouse will be minimal to the school district:the  about $5,000 a year.  Annual costs would include gas, water and electricity, as well as growing supplies.

In addition, Wiles said the cost to construct the greenhouse could be defrayed by using the district’s building and grounds department.

While board members gave a nod for the greenhouse, they did question its proposed location, just outside the science wing, abutting the high school baseball field.

Board members were concerned that fly balls might damage the greenhouse; it was assured, however, that direct hits would not damage it.

To find out how to make a donation to the greenhouse project, click here.