On Tuesday, February 7, voters of the Minisink Valley Central School District will head to the polls to decide on $36.9 million building project focused on health, safety and infrastructure improvements. The proposal carries no projected tax increase. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. that day. A capital project public forum will be held on Thursday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate.
School officials are responsible for maintaining district buildings and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of students and the community. Construction referendums allow districts to receive state building aid to help fund the cost of needed building upgrades.
The proposed capital project addresses three major areas of need:
The construction of a new high school cafeteria to better accommodate student and building needs, and the repurposing of the existing, outdated cafeteria/kitchen to create new instructional space for programs that reflect 21st century college and career pathways.
Construction of a new sewer treatment plant to replace the existing plant, which is approaching the end of its useful life. The new plant would have dual capacity to allow for regular maintenance to the system and avoid disruption to school operations on the main campus.
Infrastructure, maintenance and system-replacement needs in all school buildings, as identified by a state-mandated building condition survey conducted in the 2015-16 school year.
Of the $36.9 million project, $5,000,000 would be funded from the district’s newly established capital reserve fund. The remaining funds would be provided by the sale of bonds. Minisink Valley is eligible to receive approximately 75 percent reimbursement from the state on allowable expenditures. In addition, the district will be retiring debt associated with three previous capital projects. Through the combined use of capital reserve funds, the retirement of existing debt, and allowable state building aid, the district estimates that the proposed project will not result in a tax increase for homeowners.
“This proposal looks beyond safety-based, mandated repairs and upgrades. It is a long-term approach designed to maintain and enhance our school facilities while protecting the community’s investment in our district,” Superintendent Brian C. Monahan said. “This project would benefit the entire school community by integrating long-term cost-saving efficiencies, expanding learning opportunities for Minisink students, and addressing the district’s health and safety needs. Through it all, we have been committed to conservative fiscal planning to continue the district’s strong financial position and our responsibility to taxpayers.”
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS BY SCHOOL
High School – $18.1M
The proposed new cafeteria would provide greater seating capacity and create a multi-purpose area for large-group instruction and events. The larger facility would reduce wait-times for students during lunch, and lessen overall hallway congestion during class changes.
The existing cafeteria/kitchen space would be repurposed to accommodate new programs and course opportunities — i.e., culinary arts, photography, media production and computer labs — as well as two storage areas for drama club events, and two small conference rooms.
The new cafeteria would be built as an addition in the rear of the high school building, facing the back parking lot. It would feature tiered indoor and outdoor seating and offer warm weather possibilities for student activities and district functions. A solar-panel roof system would help offset some of the building’s utility costs and provide a solar-technology learning station for students.
Additional High School Projects:
Replacement of the electrical transformer and power feed to the building
Replacement of fence along Route 6
Replacement of original elevator
Replacement of tile flooring in locker rooms and selective bathrooms
Reconstruction of exterior stairs
Reconstruction/replacement of original heating and ventilation equipment in the library, auditorium, nurse and main offices, and pool area
Replacement of the main distribution panel and interior panelboards
Replacement of 1,000-watt fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting in the pool area
Expansion and renovation of the current weight room/fitness center
Middle School – $8.3M
Replacement of original elevator
Replacement of tile flooring in selective areas
Replacement of original boilers for increased energy efficiency
Replacement of the air handling equipment, including controls, in upper-level classrooms, lower-level technology rooms, gymnasium and locker rooms
Minisink Valley Elementary School/Intermediate School – $6.1M
Reconstruction of exterior stairs and service roads
Reconstruction/replacement of dugouts and exterior basketball areas
Replacement of tile flooring in selective areas and gymnasium flooring
Replacement of the exterior slate-wall system with a new insulated facade to improve energy efficiency and appearance
Replacement of the gym’s exterior wall system and installation of new windows for greater energy efficiency
Replacement of interior electrical panels in selective areas
Replacement of selective interior and exterior lighting with new LED fixtures for greater energy efficiency
Otisville Elementary School – $186,000
Upgrading of hot water heater
Upgrading of heating and cooling units in the main office
Bus Garage – $105,453
Upgrading of select piping and water storage tank for health and safety purposes
Sewer Treatment Plant – $4.1M
The existing sewer treatment facility is approaching the end of its useful life and lacks the processing capacity to provide uninterrupted service to the main campus during maintenance, or when breakdowns occur. A failure of this facility would result in an extended shutdown affecting all buildings on the Route 6 campus.
“Our district’s central focus is always the health, safety and education of all students,” said Superintendent Monahan. “We are confident that the proposed project reflects our community’s commitment to a safe, challenging and nurturing learning environment for our students.”
PROJECT Q&A
1. How was the work in the new project identified?
Every public school district in New York state is required to undertake a building condition survey every five years. In 2015-16, the District worked with architects at Tetra Tech to conduct the mandated survey which identified the following areas of need: infrastructure-based, such as the upgrading of electric panels, the replacement of inefficient heating and cooling units, plumbing improvements, roof replacements, installation of energy efficient lighting, masonry work for stairs and sidewalk replacements, health and safety issues, and technology upgrades to improve instruction.
2. How can a $36.9 million project result in no new taxes?
The district has existing bond payments that will be retired over the next three years. These are greater than the projected cost of the new project. If the capital project is approved by the voters, improvements to the school facilities can be made with no additional cost to the community by timing the issuance of the bonds associated with the new project to coincide with the retirement of the existing bonds from previous projects.
3. Wouldn’t it have been better for the district to include some funds in its annual budget each year to complete this work?
When expenditures for improvements and major repairs are paid for from the general budget fund, they are not eligible for any reimbursement from the state. When integrated in a capital project, the state reimburses Minisink at a rate of 75 percent for the same improvements and repairs. The project’s work plans and specifications are submitted to the NYS Education Department for approval, prior to the start of any renovations or improvements.
he 75 percent building aid is paid to the district over 15, 20 or 30 years respectively, for renovations, additions or new buildings. The district issues bonds to pay for the project over 15, 20 or 30 years to align the bond payments with the building aid received from the state. A capital project with state building aid allows the district to be fiscally responsible while protecting the community’s investment in our schools.
4. When would the capital project work begin? When is it expected to be completed?
If the voters approve the project on February 7, the first major portion of the work would begin in the summer of 2018, with additional project work to be completed in 2019 and 2020. To minimize disruption to the school year, the work would be phased over three years and take place primarily during the summer months.
5. Why does the capital project include the construction of a new cafeteria at the high school?
The existing cafeteria, built in 1978, is outdated and does not meet the needs of our high school students. The new cafeteria would increase seating capacity from 250 to 400+, improve flexibility in scheduling student course requests, provide greater access through two major hallways and ease student traffic during period changes. The new layout would also allow for multiple serving stations and provide more food choices to better accommodate student needs.
The proposed addition includes a multi-purpose outdoor seating area, ideal for student lunch periods and other school events, weather permitting. The new roof on the proposed cafeteria includes the installation of a series of solar panels to generate electricity and reduce the building’s reliance on outside utilities.
6. What happens if the voters do not approve the capital project?
If residents do not approve the capital project on February 7, the district will prioritize building needs based on health and safety concerns. This remedial work would be paid from the district’s general fund budget and require reductions in other operations. The tax cap limits the district’s ability to generate new revenue to pay for these major expenditures.
The general fund budget always includes allocations for routine repairs and maintenance. However, the proposed capital project looks beyond mandated repairs and upgrades to address major infrastructure needs that protect the community’s long-term investment in our school facilities, and their ability to meet instructional needs for the 21st century.
The district could defer some of the proposed capital project work, but the delay could result in more serious and costly infrastructure issues, and greater disruption to instructional time and student achievement.
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VOTING INFORMATION
Who may vote? You may vote if you are 18-years old or older, a U.S. citizen, a district resident for at least 30 days, and registered voter for either a general election or a school board election.
How do I register? You can register at the district clerk’s office, Minisink Valley Central School District, Route 6, Slate Hill, NY, until February 2, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on days when school is in session. Proof of residency required.
When is the vote? Tuesday, February 7, 2017, noon to 9 p.m. If school is canceled due to inclement weather, the vote will be held on Wednesday, February 8, noon to 9 p.m.
Where do I vote?
Residents of District #1 - Towns of Greenville, Minisink and Wawayanda vote in the Intermediate School gym A, Route 6 campus.
Residents of District #2 - Towns of Mount Hope, Mamakating and Wallkill vote at the Otisville Elementary School.
How do I get an absentee ballot? Applications may be obtained at the office of the school district clerk. Absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk no later than 5 p.m. on February 7, 2017.
CAPITAL PROJECT WEBPAGE
CAPITAL PROJECT SLIDE PRESENTATION
CAPITAL PROJECT NEWSLETTER