The Scotia-Glenville Central School District is scheduled to hold an informational session about its $26.76 million building project at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the middle school.
The multimillion-dollar project has come at a time when families are struggling to stay on top of expenses, and district officials said they are holding the forum to show people how much the taxpayers’ share of the project will actually be. Earlier in the month, the board approved the project one vote short of unanimous.
School Board President Margaret Smith, who has frequently spoken about the importance of the project, as well as the need to educate residents on the financial responsibility, said that any resident who is concerned about the project should take the time to come to the forum.
We want a person to see all that is involved and how much of an investment this will be for our children’s future at Scotia-Glenville, said Smith.
If the project is approved, the anticipated tax increase will be about 1.9 percent annually, which will equal about $48 for a home assessed at $150,000. The amount would decrease to about $32-$28 with the STAR tax rebate program.
District Communications Specialist Bob Hanlon said this is an opportunity for residents to see where the money will actually go, as well as where the funding will come from.
`This is an opportunity for you to learn about the details of the project, the science lab, library and classroom improvements, solar energy, multi-purpose synthetic turf field and expanded track and various building improvements that will be considered by the community during voting,` said Hanlon.
The proposal includes $5 million worth of general maintenance and roof repairs at various buildings, much of which will be covered by EXCEL aid given to the district by the state.
The project highlights include renovating and expanding the high school library, renovating art classrooms, upgrading the school technology system, updating consumer science and technology classrooms, installing new roofs at three elementary schools, enclosing the middle school library, installing solar energy panels at Sacandaga, as well as a new playground.
The board has said that some of the classrooms in the district are 50 years old, and the phone and computer system has not been updated in more than 10 years.
The most significant change may be to the district’s athletic facilities, where officials plan to install an all-sport synthetic turf field, and an eight-lane running track, as well as bleachers along the track that will seat up to 500 people.
In addition to the Nov. 15 hearing, the district will also hold a public hearing on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. The vote is scheduled for Dec. 16. “
