Financial Information

lTotal Project cost is $6,755,000.

lThe Building Aid Percentage currently assigned to Heuvelton CSD is 94.4%.

lThe average marginal cost to a taxpayer with a $100,000 Enhanced STAR property will be $6.00/year. (See cost to taxpayers on reverse side.)

This Capital Project will:

lProvide the best learning environment for our children.

lReduce annual repair costs.

lProvide for major capital expenditures that are not part of the annual operating budget.

lTake advantage of State Building Aid Funds.

Heuvelton Central School District87 Washington StreetHeuvelton, NY 13654-0375

Visit us on our Web site:http://heuvelton.schoolfusion.us

LocalPostal Customer

PRSRT STDECRWSS

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

EDDM RETAIL

Dear District Residents:

The Heuvelton Central School District Board of Education has

proposed a capital improvement project to upgrade our school

facilities with minimal cost to the taxpayers.

On March 26, 2015, the Heuvelton Central School District voters

will go to the polls to decide on the proposed $6,755,000 Capital

Project. The last time the District asked residents to commit to a

capital improvement project was in December 2007. For this project,

the District will receive State Aid of 94.4% for eligible project costs.

The District will apply $350,000 of unappropriated fund balance to

help reduce the remaining cost of the local share. (See the Average

Marginal Cost to Taxpayers table in the inside of this newsletter.)

The public must authorize this allocation of funds.

The proposed project includes health, safety and security, energy,

technology and sitework improvements to the School and Bus Garage.

In proposing this new bond referendum, the Board of Education is

seeking to provide quality instructional spaces for our students while

maximizing state aid that funds renovations and replacements at a

time when state funds are available to cover the majority of the cost

of the work.

Residents are encouraged to review the information provided in this

brochure and to attend the information session. If you have specific

questions or comments, you may also contact the District Office at

344-2414. Information is also available on our Web site

at http://heuvelton.schoolfusion.us.

Sincerely,

Susan Todd, Superintendent

The Heuvelton Board of Education

Michael Davis, President

Andrew Martin, Vice President

Keith Carmany

Dennis Durant

Barbara Knauf

Michelle McGaw

Thomas Nichols

Public InformationMeeting:Wednesday

March 11, 2015

6:30 p.m.

New Large Group Instruction Room

In order to be eligible to vote, you must be:lA citizen of the United States.lAt least 18 years of age.lA legal resident within the district for a period of 30 days immediately prior to March 26.

Voters:lDO NOT have to own property.lDO NOT have to be a parent or have children in school.

LEGAL ADDRESS IS THE ADDRESS ON YOUR 1. Drivers license. 2. Federal Income Tax form. 3. Car registration form. 4. Where you are registered to vote in county, state and federal elections.

Vote March 26, 20151:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Poulton Auditorium

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Why now?

Over time, our facility needs will continue to grow, not diminish or go away. We don’t expect SED’s contribution to capital project costs to get any better than they are right now.

We also know that construction costs continue to escalate with each passing year. The construction industry is a very competitive marketplace right now. Owners who can undertake construction in this climate benefit from lower material and labor costs.

If we choose to wait and pursue the same project in the future, we would expect the cost to the taxpayers to be higher.

What happens if the project is voted down?

Costs could go up. The financing for this project will allow the Heuvelton Central School District to spread payments for the work over several years to correspond with the building aid that we receive from the State. If voted down, several of the items will need to be addressed in the annual operating budget thus taking funds away from our academic programs and overall operations.

School Building

• Window reconstruction - replace Kalwall in High School Gym with aluminum units

• Masonry restoration - water entry at exposed steel columns

• Provide natural lighting to Computer Lab 207 with skylights

• Northeast Entry reconstruction - replace spalling concrete walls and ramp

• Roof replacement at select areas• New band risers for Auditorium

performances• Replace wood bleachers in Elementary

School and High School Gyms• Elementary School Gym locker room and

toilet room reconstruction• Network infrastructure upgrades• Replace sanitary piping and galvanized

water piping in Elementary School crawl space

• ADA toilet room renovations• Site lighting upgrades• Drainage improvements at Girl’s softball

field• Reconstruct/extend nature trail• Expand parking area• Asphalt surfacing and restriping• Science Room upgrades• Auditorium upgrades• Food Service refrigeration equipment

improvements• Provide enclosure for art room kiln• Select flooring replacement• Provide security film at Main Entrances

exterior doors and vestibule doors

Q & A

What is a Capital Project?

It is like home improvements for schools. By NYS Law, the school district inspects its property regularly, working with an architect to maintain a five-year, capital improvement plan. Some issues require immediate attention, while other repairs and upgrades can be spread out over time. This is done in much the same way a homeowner plans to fund major repairs, such as a roof. For school districts, this is called a “Capital Project”. To further encourage schools to maintain or improve their facilities, SED reimburses districts through “Building Aid” for capital projects. SED pays a percentage of capital project costs, and the district pays the balance known as “Local Share”.

Why are these projects needed?

It is needed for health, safety, and energy efficiency. Several areas of the campus require upgrading for increased energy efficiency as well as health and safety. Based on their condition, many of these items were identified as needing improvements in the Building Condition Survey required by SED. In a time of scarce resources, it is even more critical to make such upgrades as it will save the District in energy costs which can be better used for educational programming.

What is the cost of the project and what will the taxpayers’ share of construction costs be?

The total project referendum amount is $6,755,000. The marginal cost of this project for the taxpayers will be about $6/year for a taxpayer with Enhanced STAR exemption and full value assessment of $100,000. The Board of Education decided from the very beginning of project discussions that the only way this project would be put to the voters is if it costs the taxpayers a minimal amount.

The District’s building aid ratio from the state is 94.4%. This means that the state pays for .944 cents for every $1 of eligible project cost. (The chart on right breaks out the taxpayer’s average annual marginal cost). In addition to the building aid from the state, the District will apply $350,000 of unappropriated fund balance to help reduce the remaining cost of the local share.

What’s in the Project

Our mission is to provide a family atmosphere which will allow members of our community to learn to their utmost potential, in a warm, supportive environment. We, the unified Heuvelton community, are dedicated to developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for our students to be successful, contributing members of our society.

Bus Garage

• Roof replacement• Concrete slab repairs• Fire alarm upgrades• Sewer pump replacement• Asphalt resurfacing

Basic Enhanced Full Value No STAR STAR STAR

$50,000 $9.00 $4.00 -

$75,000 $14.00 $8.00 $2.00

$100,000 $19.00 $13.00 $6.00

$125,000 $23.00 $18.00 $11.00

$150,000 $28.00 $22.00 $16.00

$175,000 $33.00 $27.00 $20.00

$200,000 $37.00 $32.00 $25.00

* 15 Year maturity

Average Marginal Cost to Taxpayer *(Annually)