AUBURN - The proposed capital project for the Auburn Enlarged City School District will officially move to the next step.
The board of education voted 7-2 Tuesday to send the proposed capital project to engineers and architects for further planning and study.
A proposal on the capital project, which currently is 87 percent funded from state aid, is expected to come before voters in May.
Board president David Lansford and board members Sam Giangreco and Bill Andre voiced their support for including Holland Stadium into the project, stating that the cost would ultimately be minimal to the taxpayer and would provide for students and Cayuga County a unique stadium that would be a venue for sporting events as well as a gathering place for people.
“We need to focus on what the future's going to hold for these kids,” said Giangreco. “The future of that stadium is an important, integral part in our education because that's a place that they can play. That's also a community place, it's a place where Auburn gets together...
“Costs will go up, and if we don't do it now, four years from now or whenever we bring this up again and whatever board brings it up again, it's going to take more of a cost. Anybody in business knows that.”
The board is proposing an estimated $14.9 million capital project, of which $3.5 million would be earmarked for renovations at Holland Stadium, including concrete work, lighting, the installation of synthetic turf, enhancing the walking track and additional parking. The remaining money will be used for upgrading technology and infrastructure in each of the district buildings.
Superintendent Joseph D. “J.D.” Pabis has said that synthetic turf is ultimately cheaper than natural grass when considering life span and maintenance.
Board members Fred Cornelius and Joe Leogrande dissented and specifically cited Holland Stadium as the reason for their no vote.
“Our priorities need to be technology and moving forward in those aspects, which I know we are trying to do,” Cornelius said. “I am in favor of the turf field in an area of the school district where all students will be able to utilize it. I don't believe that Holland Stadium is that place and although I do see that there are necessary renovations to be done and that those necessary renovations should be a priority one for this next year, I don't believe that we can in good conscience say that synthetic turf is a priority one ...
“I don't like the proposal as it stands and I'm not in support of any referendum going forward where turf is included and not separated, because I think we'll shoot ourselves in the foot. This is such a divisive issue that needs to be separated so that we don't lose on the things like technology and code specific items.”
Leogrande suggested the board consider separating Holland Stadium from the capital project and put two separate referendums before voters. From what he has heard from the community, he said, the public is generally not in favor of renovations to Holland Stadium.
“I think we really need to consider public opinion,” he said.
The board has until March 27 to make that decision.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Auburn High School library.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
A proposal on the capital project, which currently is 87 percent funded from state aid, is expected to come before voters in May.
Board president David Lansford and board members Sam Giangreco and Bill Andre voiced their support for including Holland Stadium into the project, stating that the cost would ultimately be minimal to the taxpayer and would provide for students and Cayuga County a unique stadium that would be a venue for sporting events as well as a gathering place for people.
“We need to focus on what the future's going to hold for these kids,” said Giangreco. “The future of that stadium is an important, integral part in our education because that's a place that they can play. That's also a community place, it's a place where Auburn gets together...
“Costs will go up, and if we don't do it now, four years from now or whenever we bring this up again and whatever board brings it up again, it's going to take more of a cost. Anybody in business knows that.”
The board is proposing an estimated $14.9 million capital project, of which $3.5 million would be earmarked for renovations at Holland Stadium, including concrete work, lighting, the installation of synthetic turf, enhancing the walking track and additional parking. The remaining money will be used for upgrading technology and infrastructure in each of the district buildings.
Superintendent Joseph D. “J.D.” Pabis has said that synthetic turf is ultimately cheaper than natural grass when considering life span and maintenance.
Board members Fred Cornelius and Joe Leogrande dissented and specifically cited Holland Stadium as the reason for their no vote.
“Our priorities need to be technology and moving forward in those aspects, which I know we are trying to do,” Cornelius said. “I am in favor of the turf field in an area of the school district where all students will be able to utilize it. I don't believe that Holland Stadium is that place and although I do see that there are necessary renovations to be done and that those necessary renovations should be a priority one for this next year, I don't believe that we can in good conscience say that synthetic turf is a priority one ...
“I don't like the proposal as it stands and I'm not in support of any referendum going forward where turf is included and not separated, because I think we'll shoot ourselves in the foot. This is such a divisive issue that needs to be separated so that we don't lose on the things like technology and code specific items.”
Leogrande suggested the board consider separating Holland Stadium from the capital project and put two separate referendums before voters. From what he has heard from the community, he said, the public is generally not in favor of renovations to Holland Stadium.
“I think we really need to consider public opinion,” he said.
The board has until March 27 to make that decision.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Auburn High School library.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net