Padenghe Nursery School Conflict: Community Debates Construction and Management
The longstanding issue of the new nursery school has again become a topic of debate among the residents of Padenghe: on one side are the loyal supporters of the charitable organization «Zinelli-Perdoni», and on the other, the municipal administration, which is now prepared to proceed with the construction of the new preschool building (a investment of 3 billion).
In the middle, some concerns are raised by the organization’s leaders, along with parents’ representatives, who will outline these issues to citizens in a public assembly scheduled for this evening at 8:30 PM, in the parish hall: an initiative that has met with disapproval from mayor Giancarlo Allegri. But let’s proceed in order and reconstruct the story.
Historical management and structural issues
The Zinelli-Perdoni organization has managed the nursery school service in Padenghe for many years, achieving excellent results that are recognized by everyone; including the State, which funds the nursery as an equivalent school.
However, for some years now, the problem has been the need to find a new location due to the inadequacy of the old building on via Roma: a problem that the Allegri administration decided to resolve by independently constructing a new building near the existing school campus.
This approach was expected to satisfy everyone, but in reality, it has left some aftershocks that the Zinelli-Perdoni organization summarized in a document sent to the community.
Controversies and concerns of the organization
Essentially, the school and parents complain about three issues: first, the municipality’s decision to declare the land on which the old preschool is located as a “public interest area for the realization of public facilities,” against which “every possible action to protect the organization’s assets” will be undertaken.
Second, there is strong concern regarding the management of the new school: “Beyond mere statements – say the signatories of the document – the municipality has not yet officially declared that the nursery will be managed by Zinelli-Perdoni.”
Finally, the charitable organization is displeased with the mayor’s decision to remove from the annual subsidy that the municipality allocates to supplement family tuition fees the amount that the school receives as a state-funded grant.
Statements from Mayor Allegri
“A lot of fuss over nothing – counters the mayor. The underlying real fact is that until the end of 2000, there was an agreement between the administration and the charitable organization for the joint construction of the new site; an agreement that the organization itself later decided not to adhere to.
Thus, in December 2000, we requested a 3 billion loan from Cassa depositi e prestiti, opened the procurement process, and by the end of July, we expect to have companies ready to start work by September.
The goal is to start with six classrooms for the 2002-2003 school year, although perhaps the entire structure will not yet be completed.” As for management? “It will certainly be entrusted to the organization, of course, although the current conditions do not inspire confidence for a smooth relationship.”
Mayor’s position on constraints and funding
Regarding constraints, Allegri states that “the old site is public property, and with our decision, we have chosen to avoid any kind of speculation, especially with the support of the Villa community.”
On funding, the mayor explains that “there has been no cut in contributions to families and social services: the money the organization receives from the State always remains public funds.”
