ELBRIDGE - Taxpayers in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District will see three separate propositions on the proposed capital project on the ballot when votes are cast June 10.
The district is asking the community to authorize a $28.9 million capital project in renovations dealing with instruction, athletics, infrastructure and drainage over the next several years.
District Superintendent Marilyn Dominick, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bill Hamilton and the board of education discussed and ultimately decided to separate athletic improvements from the original proposition, Dominick said.
“We know that there is a segment of the community that may not be athletically inclined, or marching band inclined,” she said. “We thought this was the most respectful way to do it. ... We made this so community members can vote their choice and vote their heart.”
The first proposition, not to exceed $22,915,000, will deal with campus renovations and infrastructure upgrades. While work will be completed in all schools, extensive upgrades are expected at the high school.
The district is looking to add spaces for a new technology/engineering curriculum as a way to introduce underclassmen interested in manufacturing and technology before they are eligible for the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services as upperclassmen.
Spaces will be added for special education and physical fitness. The auditorium, kitchen and serving area, science labs and art rooms will be upgraded and high school administrative offices will be relocated to the front of the building. A new concession stand, restrooms and locker rooms will also be constructed.
Also in the project, is removing the existing aboveground waste water treatment plant and installing a septic system as well as moving the storm water basin about 500 feet east of the campus.
If taxpayers approve the first proposition, state approval is expected to be expedited so work can begin on the septic system and the water basin, Hamilton said. Other parts will begin in spring 2010, at the earliest.
The second proposition, not to exceed $2,966,000, is for athletic and marching band improvements. The district is proposing that all outdoor fields become consolidated at the high school whereas currently lacrosse, soccer, softball and baseball are played on either the Jordan or Elbridge campuses, where there are no bathrooms or concession facilities, Dominick said.
Should taxpayers approve, baseball and softball fields will be constructed, two lanes will be added to the existing track, the existing practice fields will be resurfaced, two tennis courts will be built and lighting will be installed on all courts.
The third proposition calls for the installation of an all-weather field at a cost of no more than $3,056,000.
The synthetic field, Dominick and Hamilton said, will greatly increase student opportunities as playing time is not contingent upon rainfall. Embedded in this proposition is lighting, a grandstand, a pressbox and walkways.
Both propositions two and three are contingent upon passage of the first.
Most of the project is 90.6 percent aidable and $500,000 will be used from the capital reserve fund to reduce the borrowing requirement to $22,415,000.
For a $100,000 assessed home, this equates to about $3.65 monthly, Dominick said.
Hamilton said all three propositions can stand on their own, and instead of lumping them all together - he didn't want the community to believe the district was sneaking anything in - splitting the vote gives people the choice.
“If these propositions pass on their own right, its an affirmation of the mission of the community,” he said. “I think that's the greatest affirmation.”
A brochure will be sent to taxpayers following the May 20 school budget vote. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 27 at the high school auditorium.
Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. June 10 at the high school.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
District Superintendent Marilyn Dominick, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bill Hamilton and the board of education discussed and ultimately decided to separate athletic improvements from the original proposition, Dominick said.
“We know that there is a segment of the community that may not be athletically inclined, or marching band inclined,” she said. “We thought this was the most respectful way to do it. ... We made this so community members can vote their choice and vote their heart.”
The first proposition, not to exceed $22,915,000, will deal with campus renovations and infrastructure upgrades. While work will be completed in all schools, extensive upgrades are expected at the high school.
The district is looking to add spaces for a new technology/engineering curriculum as a way to introduce underclassmen interested in manufacturing and technology before they are eligible for the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services as upperclassmen.
Spaces will be added for special education and physical fitness. The auditorium, kitchen and serving area, science labs and art rooms will be upgraded and high school administrative offices will be relocated to the front of the building. A new concession stand, restrooms and locker rooms will also be constructed.
Also in the project, is removing the existing aboveground waste water treatment plant and installing a septic system as well as moving the storm water basin about 500 feet east of the campus.
If taxpayers approve the first proposition, state approval is expected to be expedited so work can begin on the septic system and the water basin, Hamilton said. Other parts will begin in spring 2010, at the earliest.
The second proposition, not to exceed $2,966,000, is for athletic and marching band improvements. The district is proposing that all outdoor fields become consolidated at the high school whereas currently lacrosse, soccer, softball and baseball are played on either the Jordan or Elbridge campuses, where there are no bathrooms or concession facilities, Dominick said.
Should taxpayers approve, baseball and softball fields will be constructed, two lanes will be added to the existing track, the existing practice fields will be resurfaced, two tennis courts will be built and lighting will be installed on all courts.
The third proposition calls for the installation of an all-weather field at a cost of no more than $3,056,000.
The synthetic field, Dominick and Hamilton said, will greatly increase student opportunities as playing time is not contingent upon rainfall. Embedded in this proposition is lighting, a grandstand, a pressbox and walkways.
Both propositions two and three are contingent upon passage of the first.
Most of the project is 90.6 percent aidable and $500,000 will be used from the capital reserve fund to reduce the borrowing requirement to $22,415,000.
For a $100,000 assessed home, this equates to about $3.65 monthly, Dominick said.
Hamilton said all three propositions can stand on their own, and instead of lumping them all together - he didn't want the community to believe the district was sneaking anything in - splitting the vote gives people the choice.
“If these propositions pass on their own right, its an affirmation of the mission of the community,” he said. “I think that's the greatest affirmation.”
A brochure will be sent to taxpayers following the May 20 school budget vote. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 27 at the high school auditorium.
Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. June 10 at the high school.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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