A capital project to be voted on by residents of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District on December 18 would cost district homeowners about $6 per year with a regular STAR exemption, while those with a senior STAR exemption would pay about $2.65 per year, says Superintendent Steven Schrade.

The costs are based on a home value of $100,000.

Residents with questions about cost or any other aspect of the proposed capital project are encouraged to attend the Capital Project Public Hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, December 10, in the High School Auditorium.

The $12.7 million proposed project aims to update and improve both the Middle/High School and Elementary School and bring both facilities into full compliance with federal and state accessibility laws.  The project would construct an addition off the Middle/High School where the student parking lot is currently located to house a new cafeteria and technology rooms. Renovations to the gym and auditorium, and new boys’ and girls’ locker rooms are also planned. The library, art room and guidance office will all move to new areas to accommodate their space needs. Upgrades at the Elementary School include new public address and fire alarm systems, renovated bathrooms and a new roof.

If approved, financing for the project would come from state building aid, EXCEL aid, the district’s capital reserve fund and a share funded by local taxpayers.

Schrade estimates that a homeowner with a home assessed at $100,000 with a regular STAR exemption would pay a total of about $90 over 15 years toward the project, while a homeowner with the Senior STAR exemption would pay a total of about $39.75.

“We truly did our best to propose a project that meets all of BKW’s most pressing facilities needs at the lowest possible price to our community,” Schrade says.

For more information on this project, as well as public hearing and voting information, please go to www.bkwschools.org and click on the BKW Capital Project Referendum 2007 icon.