By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
Residents of the North Syracuse Central School District will head to the polls next Tuesday to approve additional funding for improvements to Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School and purchase 2.5 acres of land adjacent to Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
In October 2016, voters approved $22.5 million for renovations to KWS Bear Road and work on a fuel island project. The proposed renovations were estimated at $20.9 million, but bids came in earlier this year at $35 million. The district rejected the bids and re-worked the scope of the project.
The district eliminated proposed additions to the back of KWS Bear Road, which would have encroached on wetlands anyway. Keegan said the district also determined renovations to the basement would have been too complex.
NSCSD now estimates the renovation will cost a total of $30,420,000. The district expects $12.43 million in state aid to help with the cost, leaving the local share of $17.99 million. The district plans to use $2,235,295 of its fund balance toward the renovation.
The additional project cost that will impact the tax levy is $6,764,705, or an additional 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. A homeowner whose property is assessed at $100,000 can expect an additional tax impact of $14.38. Someone with a home worth $150,000 can expect to pay $21.57 more.
The district expects the New York State Education Department will approve the renovations in December. Bidding will take place in January 2020 with construction expected to begin in April 2020. The majority of construction will be complete by January 2022, with the final completion/closeout stages reaching into March 2022.
During the 2020-2021 school year, the district will relocate KWS Bear Road’s fourth-graders to other schools within the district. NSCSD is seeking parent input on the logistics of this transition.
The second proposition of the Dec. 17 referendum asks voters to approve the purchase of 2.5 acres of land adjacent to C-NS for $195,000.
The district wants to turn the 2.5-acre site on New Country Drive as an overflow parking lot and emergency access road. NSCSD plans to pay for the land purchase from its fund balance, so there is no impact on the tax levy.
