BOE to decide in early November if bond project will go to public vote

After a successful review of po­tential environmental impacts, a proposed capital project for the Elementary and Middle/High Schools is now awaiting final approval by the Board of Education.

Once the Board gives its OK, district residents would then cast their votes on the project sometime in December.

The proposed project aims not only to improve aging portions of both the Elementary and Middle/High Schools, but also update the buildings to fully comply with all state and federal acces­sibility laws.

Proposed improvements for the Mid­dle/High School include a new cafeteria, technology room, bathrooms and locker rooms, an expanded auditorium stage and renovated spaces for the art room, library, gymnasium and guidance office. At the Elementary School, bathrooms would be renovated to make them fully accessible.

If the project goes to voters in its cur­rent form, district residents would be asked to cover about $2 million of a total $12.7 million needed for the project.

The $2 million would be financed and re­paid out over 15 years, resulting in an average annual tax impact of less than 1 percent.

A number of factors make this year the right time to propose the project to the pub­lic, says Superintendent Steven Schrade.

One-time only EXCEL Aid. A $340,000 portion of the project cost would be funded by EXCEL Aid, a one-time-only state aid amount given to school districts exclusively for building improvements. If the district does not act this year, it will lose this valuable funding.

Financial stability. This year’s school budget carries the lowest spending in­crease in seven years and, according to the Business Council of New York State, was one of four school budgets in the entire state to lower per-pupil spending – all while funding new academic initia­tives and keeping all current programs in tact.

Achieving accessibility standards. As the number of students with dis­abilities continues to grow, closing the achievement gap between this group and the overall student population is more important to the district than ever. Ensuring that all district facilities are fully accessible to persons with disabili­ties is crucial to fulfilling the district’s promise to provide a quality education to all students.

District officials will continue to keep the community informed as this proposed project moves forward. For more information, please go to www.bkwschools.org.