Hilton Board of Education approves $9.5 million maintenance and renovation bond vote

Hilton Board of Education approves
$9.5 million maintenance and renovation bond vote

At its regular meeting December 12, the Hilton Board of Education approved a $9.5 million Maintenance and Renovation Bond Referendum which would allow the district to address building infrastructure at all Hilton schools and the transportation facility. A public vote is scheduled for January 30 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Hilton High School, 400 East Avenue, Hilton (Parma, Clarkson, Hamlin residents) an Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road (Greece residents only).

Based on the finding of the district's five-year Building Condition Survey, items included in the proposed project include a major roofing replacement at Northwood Elementary School, a roof that has reached its 20-year lifetime and includes an obsolete ventilating system; asbestos removal at Northwood along with allied ceiling and flooring replacement; updating of schools' electric service and HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning); energy efficient window and door replacement and repair; retrofitting lavatories; cleaning ductwork; floor refinishing and bleacher replacement in the high school gymnasium; as well as safety provisions and technology upgrades to the district's computer network.

"The proposed project will be financed partly with New York State's Excel grant," Board of Education President Daniel Wellington said. "With the remaining funds coming from the issuance of bonds, the annual principal and interest payments on the bonds is fully offset by building aid from New York state. As a result, no local property taxes will be required to cover these future payments."

Planning for the proposal was completed in December by a comprehensive 22-member Planning Committee composed of teachers, administrators, parents and community members which worked with architects, buildings and grounds people and construction managers in an effort to review the condition of all Hilton facilities' infrastructure. If approved, the renovations and maintenance would begin in June 2008 on a 16 to 18 month construction timetable.

"It's a unique financial opportunity the state has offered in a special grant to all schools districts in the state," Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven Ayers said. "Excel Aid will supplement the Hilton School Dsitrict's normal 85 percent building aid rebate from the state. The remaining 15 percent or $1.4 million of the cost that would normally fall to local taxes will be covered by Excel Aid effectively creating no property tax impact for Hilton residents. The maintenance and repairs focus strictly on infrastructure needs, based on the current age and condition of the buildings' various physical plant systems."

For information, visit the Hilton District Web Site at www.hilton.k12.ny.us or tune in to a video presentation on Cable CH 12 airing on Wednesday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available at the District Clerk's at 392-1000 ext. 7099. For information, call 392-1000 ext. 7033.