N-W seeks voter approval for capital projects

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July 28, 2010

Public to decide fate of proposed $11 million improvement plan

By Nick Mattera Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Wed Jul 28, 2010, 06:44 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — The Niagara-Wheatfield School District is seeking voter approval for an $11 million capital improvement project.

The school safety and greenway plan would make much needed repairs to school buildings as well as expand and improve recreational facilities. The $11,085,000 plan will require a public referendum, which will be held on Sept. 21 at the Niagara-Wheatfield High School Adult Learning Center.

The two-part project will require $6.1 million to be set aside for the greenway portion and close to $5 million on an assortment of building-related repairs and technological improvements.

“All of what we are looking to have done would make necessary improvements to school buildings and facilities,” said School Business Manager Kerin Dumphrey. “We are addressing a number of safety concerns and that is a key part of this proposal.”

The greenway portion of the project would use funding from the New York State Power Authority relicensing agreement, along with state aid, resulting in no cost to the taxpayers.

Dumphrey said the district through the host community agreement with NYPA is allocated $360,000 a year in greenway money. He said currently there is $1 million in the greenway account, which will be used toward the project and the remainder will be bonded out.

However, the $4,991,000 school safety portion of the project will result in an additional tax burden placed on district residents. On a home valued at $100,000 residents will pay an additional $21.41 in property taxes per year for the next three or four years if the referendum passes.

The greenway portion of the project will include a 2.1-mile bike path and nature trail will be built along Cayuga Creek and will include an outdoor classroom, playground, parking lot and on-site security cameras.

Dumphrey said improvements to the athletic facilities will include a repaired all-weather track, new concession stand, storage facility and press box. New bleachers and home and away locker rooms will also be constructed at the 50-year-old football stadium.

Dumphrey said the district currently has close to a $1 million fund balance which is right in-line with a state recommendations and would not be used to fund the project.

The school safety portion of the project will see the installation of a new concrete entrance and hand rails at Edward Town Middle School.

An estimated $881,000 would be spent to refurbish a new synthetic gym floor and construct a storm drainage system to prevent flood damage at Errick Road Elementary School.

The west parking lot would be replaced and an additional lot added at Colonial Village Elementary School. Also at Colonial Village, the main office would be moved, costing $1.03 million, a new $240,000 gym floor would be added and new drainage and sidewalks would be added.

Improved access to the Colonial Village building and parking lot would be completed including a single secure exit entrance and exit for students, along with new bus loops and parent pickup circles, costing $1.06 million.

The high school would use $750,000 to replace portions of its damaged roof. The computer server room would be expanded and air conditioned to allow it to expand to handle the netbook computer program for students, coming at a cost of $263,000.

The district would like to install 58 interactive white boards districtwide costing $365,000.

Dumphrey said the two projects must be voted as one and residents would not have an opportunity to approve each individually.

If voter approval is received, work would begin in spring 2011 and continue into 2012.

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