Residents of the Monticello Central School District should be breathing a sigh of relief that their budget revote passed on Tuesday night. Residents approved the district's proposed 2020-21 school budget by a vote of 730 “yes” to 425 “no.”

We say a sigh of relief because the alternative -- adopting a contingency budget -- would have been detrimental to the district and to our students' futures for years to come. Now the district can continue all programs offered in the previous school year, purchase new equipment for driver's education, technology, student transportation, and plant maintenance, and permit community organizations' usage of our facilities and grounds.

That last one is especially important as it refers to the St. John Street School Community Hub. The St. John Street School Community Hub is a program of the Monticello Central School District (MCSD), Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) and Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County with funding from NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther's office.

Although COVID-19 has caused the Community Hub to suspend its programming for the time being, we look forward to the day when Monticello's youth will once again have a safe and constructive space to learn and socialize after school.

Despite being our county seat, the Village of Monticello does not offer any youth programming to its residents. Times are tough. Everyone from village boards to school boards are operating on tight budgets, and we sympathize with the financial pressure they're under, but these kinds of youth programs can truly make a difference in the lives of the residents they impact.

The community hub was launched late last year at 22 St. John Street. The building has served Monticello residents in many capacities over the decades.

“Some residents consider it their alma mater. Others pass by and remember it as the place where their children first learned their abc's and 123's at the Project Excel UPK program. Some see it and remember it as the stage on which they performed their first violin solo through the Nesin Cultural Arts Center. Yet others think of it as the bridge that connected them to improved computer literacy and better job opportunities after attending a class at the SUNY ATTAIN lab,” MCSD said.

When COVID-19 restrictions are eased, the hub is expected to continue its 3-Phase plan that would bring in a social and emotional wellness aspect, and expand the range of activities to include both youth and adult programs.

“We want to build a truly iconic community space,” community advocate Martin Colavito said when the program was launched last October. “A place where senior citizens can meet for a cup of coffee, where parents who lack affordable childcare can find child care, and where adolescents can participate in righteous activities to develop healthy relationships.”

We hear from so many people about all the things that are wrong with Monticello, but not all of them are willing or able to do something about it.

We're happy to see this partnership for the community hub continue.