BALDWINSVILLE — When residents go to the polls May 17 to decide on the 2022-2023 school budget and other propositions, they will also be asked to cast their votes on a capital improvement project. The $32.8 million capital project will allow the district to make renovations and improvements to Durgee Junior High School.
The work at Durgee involves construction of a new gymnasium and STEAM space. The project also includes the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the existing technology, music and art space, media center, kitchen, cafeteria and gymnasium. The main office will be housed near the nurses office and guidance to create a safe and secure main entrance off the bus loop. Upgrades to the building’s infrastructure are also included in the project.
The $32.8 million project will be funded by $24.8 million in state building aid, $5 million from the capital reserve fund and $3 million raised from taxes. Taxes are projected to increase by approximately $12.77 for a home with a market value of $100,000.
In the fall of 2018, the district embarked on a transparent and collaborative process with SES Study Team, LLC and community representatives to analyze and discuss district data and the future use of our buildings. The Community Advisory Committee identified options for future programming and potential facilities as they relate to the program vision of the Baldwinsville Central School District. We called this process Funding the Future.
In October 2019, the study options were presented after working with the Community Advisory Committee. The pandemic took precedence for a period of time until efforts could be refocused on Funding the Future. In the fall of 2020, the district began working on a plan with the State Education Department that addressed physical infrastructure options presented by the committee.
The Facilities Committee agreed to bring a project forward in June of 2021. This project initially involved multiple phases that would shift fifth grade to Ray Middle School and seventh grade to Durgee Junior High School. The district began working on plans to create additional space at Durgee and presented preliminary renderings to the public in August 2021.
District leaders, the Facilities Committee and Board of Education reviewed the project cost of the initial proposal and decided to reduce the scope of the project due to the escalating construction costs. Therefore, the project was reduced to include only work at Durgee and resulted in an overall project estimate of $32.8 million versus the original project cost of $89 million. The plans for the 2022 capital improvement project were scaled back to be financially responsible during this time.
The proposed work does not currently include realignment of grade levels, renovations at Ray, second floor additions at Durgee, or any major renovations of fields and parking on the main campus.This proposed work was carefully thought out to support the current students in the Durgee building, while also allowing for future work that could support grade level realignment in the future. The Facilities Committee is continuing to work on the next capital project proposal to ensure we continue to improve our infrastructure. The scaled back project drastically decreases the impact to the taxpayers.
To learn more about the $32.8 million project, visit bville.org or attend the public hearing on May 10 at the Transportation Center, 2810 West Entry Road, Baldwinsville.
