District tax-neutral capital improvement project addresses major necessary improvements
The Warwick Valley Central School District’s tax-neutral 2021 Capital Improvement Project – which is scheduled to go before voters on Thursday, Dec. 2 – includes several projects recognized as vital to the District’s educational facilities. Making the improvements at this time will avoid the need for costly emergency repairs in the coming years, create valuable energy savings, and make a healthier and safer learning environment for the District’s students and staff.
Some of the projects in the $13.8 million proposal are a new roof at Sanfordville Elementary School, new windows at Park Avenue Elementary, and new unit ventilators at the Middle School and High School. In addition, an expanded multi-sport natural grass athletic field at the stadium, a new track, and block wall outdoor restrooms are among other projects that are planned.
The District finances its capital projects through state building aid, which New York State created to encourage communities to maintain their schools, and its capital reserve fund. The District utilizes this strategy so there is no additional tax impact on local taxpayers.
The District maximizes state tax dollars on capital projects, receiving about 63.8% in state building aid. This means that for every eligible dollar spent on a capital project, the District will receive about 64 cents in building aid from New York State. District officials estimate that $8.8 million of this capital project would be funded by state building aid and $5 million would come from funds set aside in the District’s voter-approved capital reserve.
The vote is scheduled from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2.
“The 2021 Capital Improvement Project addresses necessary improvements now to avoid costly repairs in the future,” said Superintendent Dr. David Leach. “It includes several projects that improve air quality to create a healthier environment for our students and staff. We will also upgrade our football field to make it available for other sports and more student athletes. And, we will replace infrastructure to allow for better energy efficiency and create savings for our taxpayers.”
Details of all projects are listed on the Capital Project 2021 webpage: www.warwickvalleyschools.com/capitalproject2021
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BREAKDOWN
The following is a breakdown of costs and major capital project items.
PARK AVENUE ELEMENTARY
NEW WINDOW INSTALLATION $1,500,000
Install energy efficient windows to replace windows that are over 30 years old and difficult to open for improved energy efficiency, and safety.
WATER SYSTEM PROBLEM $25,000
Main water line needs piping repair.
Total Park Avenue Elementary $1,525,000
SANFORDVILLE ELEMENTARY
ENTIRE ROOF REPLACEMENT $3,000,000
Replace the 107,000-square-foot roof, which is necessary as repairs are now becoming more frequent and more costly because the roof has reached the end of its useful life and is failing.
EXTERIOR RESTROOMS CONSTRUCTION $325,000
Construct an outdoor block wall restroom building near the athletic fields, playground, and outdoor classroom. The facility will have a total of six stalls, which will be accessible for athletes, spectators, and the community, as well as complement the new outdoor classroom.
Total Sanfordville Elementary $3,325,000
MIDDLE SCHOOL
GYM UNIT VENTILATOR (UV) REPLACEMENT $500,000
Replace four unit ventilators, which are very old and ineffective, because it is essential to improve fresh air ventilation and create a healthier breathing environment.
EXTERIOR RESTROOMS CONSTRUCTION $250,000
Construct an outdoor block wall restroom with stalls near the tennis courts. This will be accessible for athletes, spectators, and the community, and complement the new outdoor classrooms.
Total Middle School $750,000
HIGH SCHOOL
PARTIAL ROOF REPLACEMENT $1,500,000
Replace 50,000 square feet of foam roofing, which needs constant repair, with a rubber roof.
REPLACE AUDITORIUM AIR HANDLING UNIT (AHU) AND RELOCATE TO ROOF $750,000
Replace and relocate to the roof the air handling unit, which is necessary because it is failing and ineffective, to improve fresh air ventilation and create a healthier breathing environment.
AUDITORIUM SEATING $500,000
Replace all seats in the 1,000-seat auditorium. The seats are severely worn and some have been removed because they are unable to be repaired in a cost-effective way. Replacement parts are difficult to obtain and expensive.
REPLACE FOUR GYM UNIT VENTILATORS (UV) AND RELOCATE TO ROOF $600,000
Replace four old and ineffective unit ventilators in the gym because it is essential to improve fresh air ventilation and create a healthier breathing environment.
CLASSROOM UNIT VENTILATORS (UV) $100,000
Replace old classroom unit ventilators that were not covered with federal stimulus funding.
REPLACE TWO AIR CONDITIONING CHILLER UNITS $500,000
The chiller units are old, failing and need to be replaced.
GUIDANCE UNIT VENTILATORS (UV) REPLACEMENT $250,000
Replace guidance office unit ventilators that were not covered with federal stimulus funding.
TRACK REPLACEMENT AND EXPANSION $450,000
Replace the existing six-lane track, which was built in 1987 and has a failing foundation. The track will be larger to surround the new, larger multi-sport field and will be expanded to eight lanes to allow for larger events.
PLAYING FIELD EXPANSION $522,000
Expand the 160-foot-wide football-only field to create a 185-foot-wide multi-sport, natural grass field that will allow students from other sports teams to play at the stadium at night, under the lights.
FIELD RESTROOMS CONSTRUCTION $425,000
Construct an outdoor block wall restroom facility at the stadium that will have a total of 10 stalls. It will be accessible for students, athletes, spectators and the community, for both games and other events, such as graduation, and complement the new outdoor classrooms. The facility will also feature water fountains with bottle fillers.
TIMERS AND SHELTER PAVILIONS CONSTRUCTION $50,000
Replace old timers and shelter pavilions with new structures in new locations with expansion of field.
STORAGE FACILITY $100,000
Small storage facility to hold athletic equipment and supplies used at the stadium.
ADDITIONAL SITE WORK $125,000
Area paving and concrete pad for recreation area.
FIELD EVENTS AREA $200,000
Relocate field events area to accommodate field expansion.
NEW FENCING $175,000
Install new fencing around the stadium perimeter and field events area.
LED LIGHTING INSTALLATION $228,000
Install LED lighting onto existing poles at field, including additional walking lights for track. Install two smaller poles with LED lighting at the new field event area.
IRRIGATION/WELL/PUMP $150,000
Install well to supply water to restrooms and for irrigation of fields (includes irrigation equipment and well pump).
Total High School $6,625,000
All Schools Total $12,225,000
INCIDENTALS $1,587,154
(13% of the total school projects for architectural fees, testing, contingent costs, and construction management)
GRAND TOTAL $13,812,154