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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Croton-Harmon School District will ask voters to approve the use of $3.4 million in capital reserve funds to renovate the high school auditoriums stage, add air conditioning, and repair curbs and masonry at the districts middle and elementary schools.
In 2009, voters approved the creation of the capital reserve fund, and much of the money was saved by the district when they were reimbursed with state aid for capital improvement projects. The district emphasizes that the $3.4 million is money the district has already saved, and will come at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
This is money we have. Weve put it aside from money we received for building aid; weve been putting money in, in order to not bond projects. This is money we have. There is no additional cost to the taxpayer, said Director of Finance and Administration Diane Chaissan.
The projects were identified in the districts latest Building Condition Survey. The only building listed at inadequate was the districts transportation building. Built 27 years ago, the building was originally supposed to house 20 people, it now houses 66.
The money would also pay for curbs to be reconfigured, so that buses are no longer running over the curbs at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary. It would address masonry issues at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School. The high schools auditorium stage would be renovated, and air conditioning would be installed. The auditorium is notoriously uncomfortable in late spring and summer months.
District architects have identified approximately $22 million in projects to be addressed over the next five years, including the $3.4 million the district would like to start immediately. Projects on this ballot represented the top of the list, according to Chaissan.
The district hopes to be able to avoid bonding for these repairs, and will consider which repairs are absolutely necessary, as tight budgeting under the tax levy cap is expected.
As the years progress we will keep an eye on it, were going to try not to bond things, but because of the rules with the tax levy cap, its actually in our advantage to bond because the debt service is except from the tax levy cap, its something the board will be talking about, said Chaissan.
Voting will take place at Croton-Harmon High School on Jan. 24, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Polling will take place in the gymnasium.
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