On May 17, 2022, residents voted to approve the proposed budget and a $9,082,558 Capital Improvement Project. This project will be fully funded using federal aid and district reserves — no additional borrowing is necessary to fund these projects.
Referendum At A Glance
Project Total: $9,082,558
How much is covered by Capital Reserve? $5 million
How much is covered by federal aid? (ESSER & CRRSA) $4,082,558
How much additional borrowing from residents? $0
Why are these projects necessary?
Simply put, the aging HVAC systems and roof at Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School are becoming detrimental to our youngest students’ learning experience. Poor indoor air quality, thermal discomfort, background noises and water damage are hindering our students’ ability to learn — and our teachers’ ability to teach – in an environment that is comfortable, productive and safe.
Temperatures are inconsistent throughout the building, uneven from classroom to classroom, and students often feel either too hot or too cold, no matter the time of year. Indoor air quality isn’t up to today’s standards, and airborne pollutants may aggravate allergies and promote coughing or eye irritation. Additionally, the aging HVAC units are often noisy and distracting. Because approximately 75% of the unit ventilators at Scotchtown Avenue are 41-50 years old, it is becoming more difficult to find the necessary parts needed for repairs.
In addition to addressing heating and cooling at Scotchtown Avenue, the Capital Improvement Project will provide repairs to the school’s 30 year-old roof. Although the school’s maintenance staff works diligently to repair leaks, replace ceiling tiles and install patches, the continuous need for repairs are superseding their efforts.
For roof refurbishment, a fluid applied roofing system would be used, resulting in no seams — a plus, since that is often where leaks occur. The existing roof is prepared for the new installation that would have a 20-year warranty.
“As our HVAC systems and roofing have aged, we have seen firsthand that a school’s physical environment can play a major role in academic performance, health issues and the ability to perform,” said Superintendent Dr. Kurtis Kotes. “Our students and employees deserve adequate facilities that promote productivity and make learning a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
How will the projects be funded?
The project will be fully funded by:
- $4,082,558 in federal funding via the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Act (CRRSA)
- $5,000,000 currently in district capital reserve funds.
It’s important to note that because the project will be fully funded via federal aid and capital reserves, the district is not asking for additional borrowing from taxpayers.
If approved by voters, the capital project will be competitively bid to contractors to complete the work. If the bids come in lower than expected, the district plans to allocate any excess funding to address roof repairs at Goshen Intermediate School.
About Us Links
What is the Capital Reserve Fund?
Voters approved the Capital Reserve Fund when it was listed as a proposition on the 2011-12 school year budget vote. It was established for a period of 10 years. At its inception, the fund had a zero balance; money was acquired from end-of-year surplus funds as well as accrued interest.
By creating the Capital Reserve Fund, the district has been able to place aside money to help cover or alleviate the cost of capital improvement projects. A separate vote is needed to approve any capital project proposals and to withdraw money from the fund.