Residents in the Baldwinsville Central School District will head to the polls on Feb. 9 to decide whether or not to approve a $32.4 million capital project.

The project, which includes a new transportation facility, a new kitchen at C.W. Baker High School, renovations at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, roof repairs at two elementary schools and more, will not raise taxes, according to district administrators.

“The district is looking to avoid jumps in our tax levy,” Assistant Superintendent for Management Services James Rodems said in a release from the district.

Rodems said about 88 percent of the project will be paid for with state building aid. Up to another $3.5 million will come from the district’s capital reserves.

The project will create a new debt of $2.1 million, which the district will begin paying off in 2019-20. At that point, the debt from the district’s 2003 capital project will be paid off.

“It’s a matter of timing projects so new debt replaces old debt to minimize the effect of the new debt on our budget and tax levy,” he said.

The project includes the following:

New transportation facility — $24 million

The district is looking to purchase an industrial parcel in the Radisson Corporate Park outside the village on which to build a new transportation facility. Rodems said a new facility is necessary for several reasons:

• The old facility is 70 years old, too small for the district’s 150-vehicle fleet and located in the residential village of Baldwinsville.
• Moving the facility out of the village, Rodems said, would reduce traffic by 40 to 50 percent.
• Moving the facility would reduce diesel fumes in the village, especially in the winter.
• Expanding the operation would allow the district to contract with other municipalities, especially school districts, to repair and maintain their vehicles, thus reducing maintenance costs for them and lowering the BCSD’s costs of operation.

The district ultimately chose this site because it is not located in a residential neighborhood, is outside of the village, has multiple access points, has never been subject to property taxes and is large enough for the district’s needs.

Baker High School kitchen remodel — $1.2 million

Baker is still using its original, 64-year-old kitchen, which needs new coolers, additional storage space and repairs to the floor and wall tiles. It also needs to be reconfigured so that staff can more efficiently prepare meals and serve students as well as offer more meal choices, resulting in cost savings for the district’s food service department.

Replace press box and lights at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium — $600,000

Though a 2014 capital project had included repairs at the stadium, it did not make repairs to the press box. The design of the new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bleachers don’t work with the old box, so a new one is necessary. In addition, the existing stadium lights are 30 years old, inefficient and inadequate for the district’s current needs.

Other repairs — $6.6 million

Additional repairs include replacing roofs at Elden Elementary School, Van Buren Elementary School, the science wing at Baker and the Baldwinsville Public Library, which is owned by the district, as well as replacing damaged lockers at several buildings, masonry and window work, and repurposing of the current bus garage.

If the budget allows, the district may also be able to repair boilers and air handling equipment at Durgee Junior High School.

In a release from the district, Superintendent Dr. David Hamilton said the project will allow the BCSD to continue to provide premium services to its residents.

“Well-maintained educational facilities are an asset to a community,” Hamilton said. “The school district is a major reason why people choose to live in Baldwinsville and a major driver of the local economy. An investment in our facilities is an investment in our students and the future of the community.”

According to administrators, the entire project will be presented to the voters as one proposition. If this referendum is not approved, the district will not be able to make any of the proposed renovations.

The district will hold a public information meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 in the Durgee Junior High School cafeteria. The vote itself will be held from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 in the small gym at Baker High School.

Absentee ballots can be obtained by calling the district office at 638-6055 from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ballots must be returned to the district office by 5 p.m. Feb. 9.

For more information on the project, visit bville.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=4613.