AVCSD $24M Capital Project goes to vote Feb. 14

CLINTONVILLE | AuSable Valley Central School will hold its Capital Project referendum on Wednesday, Feb. 14. The vote seeks taxpayer approval to spend up to $24 million for district-wide infrastructure repairs and updates. Projects encompass roof repairs, new boilers and safety upgrades at all school buildings: the Middle/High School, Keeseville Elementary, AuSable Forks Elementary, and at bus garage facilities. In addition to infrastructure, work includes safety renovations for all school entryways. "This project truly focuses on building safety and infrastructure. We have reached the end of life for boilers, roofs, the synthetic field, pool, track, tennis courts, auditorium lighting, and much more. These will all be addressed in this project," the district said in its presentation to community. Of the $24 million, $19.2 million would come from State Building Aid. The district would obtain a 15-year bond for the remaining $4.8 million, secured as current debt is paid off. The tax rate would increase about 43 cents (0.437) per $1,000 of real property value beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Property owners with a home valued at $200,000 with no exemptions would see a tax increase of $87.44 per year. A $200,000 home with enhanced STAR exemptions would see a tax increase of $50.28 per year. The $24 million Capital Project is Proposition 1 on the ballot. Proposition 2 is for a $5.5 million Energy Performance Contract (EPC), of which $4.4 million would be paid with state aid. The $1.1 million balance is paid in energy cost savings. The purpose of the EPC, the district said, is to upgrade systems such as boilers and lighting to be more energy efficient. Energy savings will pay for these upgrades over time with no additional cost to taxpayers. Both measures have to gain voter approval in order to receive full state aid. "Without voter approval for both, the aid rate would drop by 10 percent," AVCSD Superintendent Michael Francia said in a cost analysis breakdown that is available to watch on YouTube. Francia said the repairs and improvements in this plan are essential for the students, focused on infrastructure, health and safety. "We have worked hard over the past year with our facilities planning committee to narrow down the scope to the essential items that need to be addressed. The committee was very mindful of the impact this project will have on our taxpayers," the superintendent told The Sun. "Our school buildings are a second home to our school community and there comes a time in when every homeowner will have to address things such as roofs, boilers, security etc. The full scope of this proposed project can be seen on our website avcs.org. "Please remember to come and vote on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. in our middle/high school cafeteria." AVCSD provided a series of videos that describe what the project entails. They are all archived online: avcs.org/capital-project-2023/ Video 1 is a project overview. Video 2 discusses athletic field updates. Video 3 describes infrastructure updates. Video 4 reviews financial information.

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AVCSD $24M Capital Project goes to vote Feb. 14

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