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Cleve Hill residents hear 'capital' plans
A public presentation for Cleveland Hill School District voters held in the high school auditorium Tuesday explained how $8.2 million will be spent for renovations, the source for funding and why the renovations are necessary.
The Cleveland Hill School Board last month approved using $865,000 from reserve funds to pay for the local share of the project. The school is also eligible to receive $508,890 in New York State Excel aid, which will cover five percent of the cost.
The remaining 90 percent (7 million) of the project will be covered by state building aid. The school district will have to bond the full amount of $8.2 million, but the state's annual operating budget will reimburse the money. The bond will be repaid over a 15 year period and requires long-term borrowing, which is why the issue must be presented voters.
Excel aid comes from the state legislature. The money is used specifically for New York State school districts to improve and repair facilities. With the district using Excel aid and reserved funds, the board of education plans to not increase local property taxes to pay for the project.
District officials say that if residents reject the project, Excel aid may not be available in the future. Repairs and improvements would then have to be performed solely with local money.
According to Jerry Young, a partner from the architectural firm Young & Wright, which will design the project, this type of financing is a one-time aid used specifically for capital projects.
"We think somewhere between 85 and 95 percent of the school districts in the state are taking advantage of Excel aid right now," said Young. "There are a lot of projects going on in the state, and you see a lot of (positive) votes because of that."
According to the Cleveland Hill Highlights newsletter, Excel aid covers five different sections: education & technology, health & safety, accessibility, school expansion and energy.
According to Superintendent Gordon Salisbury, the renovation is part of the five-year plan for the school district.
School officials say there are a number of renovations that need to be done, but a major piece of the project would focus on masonry repair.
Portions of the brick exterior of school buildings are cracked, allowing water to seep in. This is causing paint to bubble up in some interior areas. To correct the problem, district buildings would be freshly grouted and sealed.
If approved, the project will include upgrading the school's technology to a wireless computer network.
"School districts, we're finding, are constantly trying to keep up with the technology," said Young. "A lot of times students are going home and having better technology than they do right now in schools. This is a whole different generation; this whole generation expects to have technology available to them."
The auditorium will also be repaired during renovations. The seats are worn, flooring will be redone, and technology such as the lighting and sound will be improved, according to Young.
Other improvements will include moving the district offices, currently a block and a half away from the school. They will be relocated to the basement of the school, which used to be the elementary school cafeteria.
Water drainage on the softball field will be improved and the football bleachers will be replaced.
The Cleveland Hill security camera system will be updated and a generator installed for the community to use during emergencies.
Voting will take place Tuesday in the high school auditorium foyer from noon to 9 p.m. If the voters approve the capital project, construction is anticipated to begin in the summer 2009 and possibly extend into 2010.
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