2020 Capital Project

A. “Cazenovia 2030 And Beyond” is the name of the District’s long-range facilities plan. Since the completion of our 2015-2016 capital project, the District and its Facilities Committee have been developing this plan to identify current and future facilities improvement needs and the means to achieve them. Throughout this process, we’ve gathered input by holding a community forum and meetings with building faculty and stakeholders, and we’ve focused on making decisions that first and foremost benefit students and learning, with effort to provide options with a minimal tax impact on our community.

A. The proposed 2020 Capital Project is intended as the first phase of the work that has been identified and prioritized by the larger, forward-looking long-range facilities plan, “Cazenovia 2030 And Beyond.” If approved by voters, it’s expected that the State Education Department’s approval for the 2020 Capital Project will be received by early 2020 with the bulk of work starting that summer. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by the end of 2021.

A. Just as one’s home ages and requires work to keep it in shape, so too, do our schools. Every five years, all school districts are required by the State to have a certified architect review the condition of their buildings and grounds. In 2015, our architectural consultant performed a Building Condition Survey (BCS) that examined the District’s existing facilities to identify problem areas requiring improvements, upgrades or replacement. The Facilities Committee studied these BCS items and developed a prioritized list of recommended capital improvements for the long-range facilities plan we’ve named “Cazenovia 2030 And Beyond.” The proposed 2020 Capital Project is the first phase of the plan; it will address the highest priority issues now, rather than delaying and facing future higher costs and further deterioration.

A. Cazenovia Central School District is committed to fulfilling our tradition of excellence and equity by providing our students and community with a safe and rewarding learning environment. Routine facility maintenance and repair work is typically funded within the annual District budget, with local taxpayers bearing the full cost. However, large renovations and replacement of “end of useful life” items, such as those included in the proposed 2020 Capital Project, would have a major impact on the local tax rate if included in the annual District budget. A bond authorization is the fiscally responsible alternative because the State reimburses 66.7 percent of the project’s aidable scope, and the expense is spread out over a 15-year period.

A. Safety & security upgrades, educational space enhancements, infrastructure upgrades, and community-shared spaces received top priority for inclusion in this project. These four project “cornerstones” also incorporate critical items identified in the 2015 BCS, such as code compliance, building systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), building envelope (roofs, windows, doors) items, and continued improvements to inclusive building accessibility work as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A. The vision of the “Cazenovia 2030 And Beyond” long-range facilities plan is to accomplish our facilities and academic program goals through a fiscally responsible and strategically phased approach. The 2020 Capital Project is being proposed as the first phase of work; it addresses critical needs and high-priority improvements. In the coming years, the District will continue to manage reserves, gather input, prioritize needs, and consider improvements for potential future phases — always aiming to provide the greatest benefits to our students and community with the lowest possible tax impact.

A. The District plans to pursue an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) as a separate phase of work; therefore we have intentionally omitted much of the energy efficiency related scope from the 2020 Capital Project. This strategy will allow us to finance the project by utilizing the energy savings to offset the local share.  Though a referendum would not be required, the District would receive an additional 10% in state aid with voter approval, enabling us to finance the EPC without a marginal tax increase.

A. Although a new field is not a part of the 2020 Capital Project, the District has begun to gather information relating to a possible synthetic turf field for the future. Several community members have established a foundation and are working with us to explore our options for the construction and financing of such a project. Over the coming months, the District expects to establish a task force to collect and share information about our options and potential costs.

A. The total cost of the project is $15,000,000. The project will be paid for by a combination of State Building Aid funding and local share relating to retiring debt.

A. Yes, it is. The New York State Legislature has given all Districts in the state an opportunity to use tax dollars to enhance their communities through school building improvements and renovations. This is an opportunity to keep some of those tax dollars in Cazenovia, working to improve the educational setting for our children and our community.

A. The critical needs and safety concerns that are included in this project would still have to be done, but if the referendum does not pass, they may instead have to be funded within the annual district budget and without the benefit of State Building Aid, leaving local taxpayers to bear the full cost.

A. There is a Public Meeting scheduled for December 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Buckley Gymnasium. There will be a capital project presentation and an open forum for questions and answers. Additional information resources are included on the District’s web site and will be available at each school.