Capital building project proposed in Bergen

Capital building project proposed in Bergen

The Byron-Bergen Central School District's Board of Education authorized the preliminary actions necessary to proceed with a district-wide capital building project. More than three years ago, the board began planning groundwork for the proposed project by asking district officials and the Board of Education's Facilities Committee to assess the various needs of the schools' facilities. After conducting two studies and holding four public sessions to solicit opinions of district residents, the board voted November 30 to proceed with steps to bring a referendum to district voters this spring.

The vote's date will be determined for this potential bond issue to implement up to a $27.2 million building project. Also, the board plans to have residents vote on establishing a capital reserve fund which, if approved, will use existing district funds to offset the project's local share expense. Preliminary estimates project state aid will cover about the maximum allowed amount of 84 percent of the project's cost with 16 percent being footed by local residents. Additionally, if approved by state authorities, special state aid of $389,000 can be used to offset the costs of various parts of the proposed project.

The proposal is to repair and renovate existing district school buildings and construct enhancements to the present campus. Focusing on more than $6 million of work identified in a State Education Department's mandated Building Conditions Survey conducted last year; roof renovation, paving, sidewalks and electrical upgrades throughout the district's schools. The project includes rerouting vehicular traffic patterns on the campus by constructing a new bus loop at the Middle/High School as well as new access roads to the district's soccer stadium and swimming pool. Additional safety and security enhancements at the Elementary School are in the renovation plans of the school's office area. Additionally, the project will address the district's sewage disposal issues since current facilities have exceeded their expected life cycle.

Much of the project's work involves improvements in the Middle/High School building including the renovation of the original auditorium which dates back to 1955, and the conversion of the present high school gymnasium into libraries for the Middle and High Schools as well as a centralized area for administrative and student support services. The original cafeterias which serve both the middle and high schools will be expanded and renovated.

New construction would involve the building of a gymnasium complex of approximately 25,000 square feet which includes two full size gymnasiums, the district's athletic programs, and the community's use of the facilities for recreational purposes. Contemporary and future student programming are addressed with classroom improvements in art, industrial technology, music, and special education. As well, the plan includes technological upgrades in all of the district's classrooms.

Using a hypothetical example with a $500,000 capital reserve fund in place to offset local taxpayer project costs, preliminary estimates by the district's consultants calculate the cost of a fully assessed $90,000 property at $129.69 per year or $10.81 per month. For district residents with a regular STAR exemption, the cost on a $90,000 residence would be $84.40 per year or $7.20 per month. For senior citizens receiving enhanced STAR property tax exemptions, the cost of the proposed project on a $90,000 home is $57.60 a year or $4.80 per month. The effect on the tax rate per thousand is estimated to be $1.44 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Next steps in the process will be to submit paperwork for project approval from the State Education Department, formalize a date for the vote, and to interview and contract with architectural and construction management firms for continuing pre-referendum planning work. The next board of education meeting is Thursday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in the High School Library. Information on the project is posted at: www.bbcs.k12.ny.us.