Our $5.91 million capital project approved by the voters in 2013 is taking shape as we received approval from the State Education Department to begin the work.  The major renovation of our Project Lead The Way engineering and technology classrooms began in the fall of 2014, to be followed by the renovation of the pool locker rooms and mechanical work in the pool area in the spring of 2015.  You will also notice sitework that is happening at the Middle/High School including repaving of the asphalt.  To help all of our community members safely walk to the tennis courts and baseball field, walkways are being constructed. Walkways were also required to be constructed from all of our exits to paved areas for the safe exit from our buildings.

Work on our capital project will continue during the summer of 2015, when the boys and girls locker rooms will be renovated, lights and bleachers will be installed at the track/soccer stadium, and floors will be updated at T. J. Connor Elementary.

We thank you for your support of the capital project and look forward to seeing the results of this work over the upcoming year.

You can keep updated on our capital project progress through updates that will be posted to this page.

Capital Project Vote Results - March 19, 2013.  Thank you to everyone who supported the work on the Capital Improvement Project over the past months. The results of the vote on the propositions are as follows:

Proposition 1 - Repairs and Renovations, $5.91 Million

Yes - 528; No - 310    Passed

Proposition 2 - Artificial Turf Field, $1.8 Million

Yes - 238; No - 598    Defeated

BACKGROUND:

At the January 28 Board meeting, the Board approved a capital project for voter consideration to occur at a special election on March 19, 2013. 

The capital project was carefully planned:

o   Timed to have the least financial impact on taxpayers due to the retiring of existing debt;

o   Based on 2010 Building Conditions Survey submitted to the State Education Department; and

o   Focused on energy efficiency, health/safety, accessibility, and general maintenance.

The capital project is fiscally responsible:

o   Funded by 73.5% State Building Aid and $800,000 Capital Reserve Fund;

o   Designed to take advantage of retiring existing debt service.  As a result, if Proposition #1 is approved, there will be no net increase to the current local tax rates; and

o   If Proposition #2 is also approved, the total net increase on a $100,000 assessment is $93 and spread over 15 years.

The project consists of two different propositions.  Proposition #1 in an amount up to $5.91 million is for work based on the 2010 Building Conditions Survey, focusing on renovations to existing buildings for improvements in life safety, infrastructure, energy efficiency, and program updates/changes.  Funds from our capital projects reserve fund in the amount of $800,000 will be applied to this amount.  Proposition #2 in an amount up to $1.8 million is for an artificial turf field within the District.  The location of the turf field would be determined after a successful vote in March through stakeholder involvement.

Voters will vote on the propositions separately.  Proposition #2 for the artificial turf field is contingent upon a successful vote for Proposition #1 related to asset preservation.  It is possible to have a successful vote on Proposition #1 without Proposition #2.  It is not possible to have a successful vote on Proposition #2 without a successful vote on Proposition #1.

A print newsletter will be forwarded to all community members during the week of February 11 to further describe the project.  The shortened version of the legal notice for the capital project that will appear on the voter ballot strips is reproduced as follows:

PROPOSITION NO. 1

Shall the proposition set forth in the legal notice of this special meeting authorizing the construction, installation and equipping of renovations, alterations and improvements of the Wheatland-Chili High/Middle School, the T.J. Connor Elementary School and the Bus Garage Facility, including site improvements for various school purposes and the reconstruction of and improvements to the outdoor athletic facilities at Middle/High School, including in each case, appurtenant and related improvements, and the acquisition and installation in and around the foregoing improvements of original equipment, machinery, and apparatus and services incidental thereto, all at a total estimated maximum cost of $5,910,983, with such cost being raised by the expenditure of $800,000 from the District’s existing Capital Projects Reserve Fund, and with the balance thereof being raised by a tax levy upon the taxable property of the School District, to be collected in annual installments as provided in Section 416 of the Education Law with such tax to be partially offset by State aid available therefore, and in anticipation of such tax, by School District obligations, be approved ?

PROPOSITION NO. 2

In the event that Proposition No. 1 is approved by a majority of the qualified voters of said District, shall the proposition set forth in the legal notice of this special meeting authorizing the construction and installation of a synthetic turf field at the Wheatland-Chili High/Middle School, including related site improvements and other appurtenant and related improvements, all at a total estimated maximum cost of $1,800,000, with such cost being raised by the expenditure of $1,800,000 by a tax levy upon the taxable property of the School District, to be collected in annual installments as provided in Section 416 of the Education Law with such tax to be partially offset by State aid available therefore, and in anticipation of such tax, by School District obligations, be approved?

The schedule of presentations on the capital project vote is as follows: