ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The $16.1 million capital project at the Allegany-Limestone Central School District will not impact taxes, but will begin later than originally anticipated, reported consultants at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
The project, which will involve multiple upgrades, expansions and improvements at the elementary and the middle/high school campuses will likely begin sometime next year with completion expected to take more than a year after the start date. That was the word from Barry Church of Campus Construction Management and Tom McElheney and Ryne Wight of Clark Patterson Lee, the two companies overseeing the project.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan said the next board meeting on March 21 will review state environmental regulations for the project. In addition, the board is expected to vote on a resolution to formally consider going forward with the project. The project, if approved by the board, would then be placed on a referendum during the 2017-18 school budget vote May 16. The project will not impact taxes as most of it will be reimbursed by the state at 87 percent of the cost, with some portions reimbursed at 100 percent, Geelan said. She said the district will use some of its remaining state Excel Aid to fund the project.
“We’ll have two big meetings — on April 4 is the budget forum and we’ll also talk about the capital project,” Geelan said. “May 2 will be the budget hearing and we’ll also be talking about the capital project then.” She said all of the meetings will likely be held at the middle/high school at times and locations to be announced.
The project will include middle/high school energy-efficient upgrades; an updated cafeteria line; sitework upgrades on the parking lots, sidewalks and athletic facilities; potentially combined middle and high school entrances; mechanical replacements of pumps and fixtures; and upgrades for the locker rooms, restrooms, gymnasium and high-use doors. Also planned will be the construction of a multi-purpose athletic field on the school campus, expected to be completed in 2020, and renovation of the main entrance, that will include the construction of one main office for the middle school and high school.
At the elementary school on Maple Avenue, work will include energy-efficiency upgrades; cafeteria upgrades; an updated bus loop and vehicle cueing area at the back of the building; and security features at the main entrance. Also in the plans are replacement of the sanitary main and rooftop units.
Bus garage work will include energy-efficiency upgrades; addressing acoustical issues; and bus wash bay updates that including finish work, ventilation and trench drain upgrades.
Geelan said there are several alternate proposals that may or may not be included with the project, such as an air conditioned fitness room at the high school. The final proposal for the entire project will depend on bids received for the project.
In other matters, the board heard budget presentations for the 2017-18 school year from department heads and principals.
Kim Moore, principal of the elementary school, said there will be a few additions to the campus that will increase the overall budget from $2.3 million to $ 2.4 million. They include new carpeting in the classrooms; requisitions for new materials to aid students and classrooms by new staff; expansion of field trips; and continued support for the pre-kindergarten program.
Cory Pecorella, principal of the middle/high school, said the budget for the campus will see an increase from $2.5 million to $2.6 million. He said the increases come from the newly combined campus; replenishing basic supplies for new staff; and added field trips.
Jon Luce, director of athletics, said his department will see an increase from $ 219,800 to $223,350 due to the purchase of new sports jerseys, the replacement of the football tackling sled and other sporting needs that will provide improved safety for student athletes.
Paige Kinnaird, director of instruction, said her anticipated costs decreased from $330,990 to $330,740 through the reallocation of funds.
Kevin Straub, director of technology, reported on equipment that will be purchased for the district through $220,517 in funding provided through the Smart Schools Bond Act passed by the state in 2014. Straub had provided the district with a complete list of equipment purchased at a previous board meeting.
