LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - JANUARY 31, 2021 To Le Roy Central School District Residents Merritt Holly, Superintendent of Schools mholly@leroycsd.org Phone (585) 768-8133 · Fax (585) 768-5505 On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, residents of the Le Roy Central School District will be asked to participate in a capital project referendum. After taking valuable feedback from our community stakeholders as a result of an unsuccessful vote on October 28th, the Facilities Committee and the Board of Education have REVISED two separate propositions that meet essential infrastructure needs and program enhancements at both the Wolcott Street and Jr/Sr High Schools. What is different from the Capital Project Vote held on October 28th to what is being proposed for February 10th? 1. Cost. Proposition 1 on October 28th would have cost taxpayers with the STAR Exemption $10.81 on a $100,000 home. Proposition 1, will now cost that same taxpayer with the STAR Exemption $0.83 per year on a $100,000 home. 2. Previous Proposition 2. Back on October 28th, Proposition 2 included a multipurpose turf field inside of the track and replacing stadium field lights. In a 203 (YES) and a 582 (NO) vote for Proposition 2, it was very clear that our district residents had no interest in approving the cost for a turf field and lights inside of the track/stadium. The revised project DOES NOT include the multi-purpose turf field inside of the track or lights at the stadium. There will be no changes of any kind at the existing football field included in either of the revised propositions. 3. Revised Proposition 2 that will be proposed for February 10th. Much of the feedback we received on the previous vote centered around Proposition 1. District residents clearly understood the infrastructure needs (roof, windows, parapet, rooftop units, etc.), but wanted to see the actual cost for the multi-purpose turf at the existing soccer field separated out from Proposition 1. With a five (5) vote difference for approval on Proposition 1 (405 - YES to 409 - NO) back on October 28th, the Facilities Committee felt the close result and program need for the turf field for our athletic, marching band, and youth/community programs still remains a high priority. The revised Proposition 2 for February 10th does take that feedback into account, with a proposed multi-purpose turf field at the existing soccer field costing $4,188,967. It is important to note, that Proposition 2 is contingent on the approval of Proposition 1. Therefore, the same taxpayer with the STAR Exemption would pay $6.26 per year on a $100,000 home which includes the total cost of BOTH Propositions. 4. Interest Rates and Construction Cost Index. Now that we have a more consistent market with the pandemic, interest rates and Construction Cost Index are lower than last spring. This in turn, leads to the estimated cost savings in the revised propositions. The District fully understands that we are still battling a global pandemic. At the same time, we have been planning this project for three years and the infrastructure and program needs of our buildings are not going away. The first loan payment and tax projections would not be due until the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year if successful. Here are some other questions that have come up: Why is this work not included in the yearly school budget? – The scope and need of our project, which include cost of materials, supplies, and work would be astronomical if we included it in our yearly budget. A capital project is a fiscally responsible alternative because New York State reimburses a vast majority of the cost, and the expense is spread out over a longer period of time. Consequently, we rely on State Building Aid to pay for a high percentage of a capital project. For Proposition 1, Le Roy CSD would receive 88% of State Building Aid to cover the project. The rest of the cost is offset with our Capital Reserve Fund (8%) and 4% remains with a local share (tax). If both Proposition 1 and 2 passed, we would receive 88% in State Building Aid, use 6% of our Capital Reserve, and 6% remains in a local share. Why is the work needed? Every five years, public school districts in New York State are required to pay for and complete through a certified architect a Building Conditions Survey (BCS). The information gleaned from the BCS provides the District a framework on what problem areas necessitate repair or replacement for each building. Can Proposition 1 pass alone without Proposition 2? Yes. Can Proposition 2 pass without Proposition 1? No. In order to pass, Proposition 2 requires voter approval on Proposition 1. All updated information will be posted to the District’s website at www.leroycsd.org as it becomes available. There is a 2021 Asset Preservation Project link on the main page which includes a video regarding the REVISED Capital Project. Lastly, both Proposition 1 and 2 are terribly important for the future of Le Roy CSD. There will be a virtual Public Information Meeting on Zoom regarding the project on Wednesday, February 3rd starting at 7:00 PM. A link to join the meeting will be posted on the District’s website an hour before the meeting. If we have inclement weather and school is closed on February 10, 2021, the vote will be moved to Wednesday, February 24, 2021, in the same location in the Wolcott Street School Trigon Gym Corridor. Merritt Holly, Superintendent of Schools