School project cost now at $15.7 million

By Alyssa Sunkin / The Citizen

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 11:52 AM EST

AUBURN - The Auburn Enlarged City School District Long Range Planning Committee got specific on Monday.
For weeks, the board of education committee has floated $14.9 million as the estimated cost of its proposed 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.

During a committee worksession Monday, Bernard P. Donegan, a financial manager with whom the school district contracts, unveiled specific numbers, including the true estimated cost as well as taxpayer contribution.

The overall cost of the capital project slated for the 2009-10 school year, Donegan said, is an all-inclusive $15,680,000, an estimated figure that takes into account interest, state aid, taxpayer contribution and any variables that may incur between now and then.

Donegan said he used conservative numbers in calculating facets of the project, such as interest rates and state aid, as a way to prevent a situation in which the district sees the project costing more than expected and taxpayers getting a spike in taxes.

Currently, the project is 87.6 percent aidable.

On average, taxpayer contributions for the project will be at $322,000 per year, Donegan said.

In comparison to the 2007-08 tax levy of $25,210,090, that amounts to just over a 1 percent increase in the levy.

In laymen's terms, a taxpayer who owns a house assessed at $100,000 and is eligible for the New York State's School Tax Relief Program, a property tax rebate program and a partial property tax exemption from school taxes, will see a tax increase of $13 per year.

A taxpayer at that same house assessed at $100,000 without a STAR rebate will see an increase of $19 per year and a senior citizen at that same property with a STAR rebate will see an increase of $8 per year, Donegan said.

In addition to state aid and taxpayer contribution, the district currently has $350,000 in capital reserves which will be put toward the project.

When it comes to Holland Stadium, installing synthetic turf has been an area of contention. Philip W. Wise, a principal at SWBR Architects, said that, after state aid, local cost for synthetic turf will be $170,000.

Board of Education President David Lansford indicated that there are people interested in donating the local share for the turf.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net

The Citizens' Say

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There are 7 comment(s)

longboard315 wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:16 AM:

" 1Echo: YOU ARE COMPLETELY IGNORANT! 1) Schools can only do so much for kids in general. THE PARENTS are the ones who need to push their children to do extra reading, math, etc. if they are lacking the necessary skills. Schools cant make these kids attend after school programs or be in your homes in the evening! PARENTS need to step up & take responsibility of their kids educations! How about taking away their cell phones, Nintendo Wii's, Playstation 3's or a privlidege that they truly desire if they dont perform well in school?? My motivation from my parents was VERY SIMPLE as a kid - get good grades or NO SPORTS! SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE!!! I showed my parents my homework every night and my grades on test & quizzes. its these kinds of morals and discipline that help you become a contributing human being in the real world instead of a sad Well Fare case! 2) More and more schools are adding FIELD TURF (Astro Turf is the old stuff) faster than you can shake a stick! And the surface has proven to be more durable and user friendly for all activities. Plus, it also helps in lessening athletic injuries (knee, head, etc) as the surface is cushioned and provides great traction in ANY KIND OF WEATHER - rain, snow, or shine! And the maintenance costs on a grass field?? Each and every year?? try 20-40 K! and thats being conservatie. And Mr Balyszak - the recession is hurting us all no doubt - but if youre going to sit here and complain about a 13 dollar / yr tax increase?? then you should sell your home and rent! The $$$ is a state GRANT - you do know what a GRANT is, right? If not, get yourself back in school and read up on it! So many people in Auburn are so dam ignorant its disgusting! And you wonder why the city never gets anywhere! As it was sad for me to leave, im so glad I dont live there anymore! "

1echo wrote on Feb 6, 2008 8:42 AM:

" This might seem like nothing but to those on limited income it is alot. Here were are worrying about sporting issue when the big issue at hand is that there are elementary/high school students that can't even read at their grade level, or do simple math. What are we doing here, what happen to helping the students by getting them all to do well in school - were are our priorities. The past athletes did find in fact outstanding on grass why not the new ones. Other schools are getting rid of artificial turf and going back to grass - why? Anybody look into that. This whole thing makes no sense to me. Let's help the student concentrate on education not grass or fake grass!!!!! "

karl L wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:29 PM:

" SHEESH! AGAIN, THE EARLIER COMMENTS DISAPPEARED! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE EDITORS???????????????????????? "

Bill Balyszak wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:17 PM:

" Is this Auburn School District out of control or what? Do any of the board members or administration honchos know that there's a recession going on and that people are losing their homes and jobs and may just not have the 'extra' cash to do all these 'nice' things that are being proposed? Suggest they focus their attention and existing resources on teaching the kids the 3 R's and stop with this other 'if we build it, they will come' attitude or whatever the heck they're trying prove with all these out of control building projects. "

longboard315 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:57 PM:

" Well people there are the #'s.....for 13 bucks (of an increase to your taxes) you get major improvements to your schools - for most of you, it should be looked at as a minute investment into the childern and the community. I cant wait to hear the moronic banter against this project! "

oldtimer wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:38 PM:

" You all have it .Spend it. "

movedsouth wrote on Feb 5, 2008 5:54 PM:

" That's all, go for the dome! "

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