On Tuesday, February 13, voters will head to the polls to decide on a $47.17 million capital project. This is the second of three planned capital project referenda (2021, 2024, 2027) to modernize and renovate our eight school campuses. The district has created a long-term plan to invest in periodic renovations and improvements to address infrastructure needs and enhance learning spaces, while also working with fiscal advisors to minimize the tax impact on our community.
If approved, the 2024 capital project would provide funding to make substantial expansions and renovations to Van Antwerp Middle School, including a cafeteria and classroom addition ($25.3 million); modernization and upgrades at all five elementary schools with a focus on community areas like cafeterias, gyms, library media centers and the most outdated classrooms ($20.4 million); as well as high priority infrastructure work at Niskayuna High School including the replacement of the paneling system on the exterior wall of the auditorium ($1.5 million). The proposed tax increase (0.85%) would equate to $42.75/year (per $300k market value).
If approved, the proposed projects will further the work that began following voter approval of the 2021 referendum. Those projects focused largely on the high school athletic complex, the classroom addition and renovations at Iroquois Middle School (the first phase in our middle-level reconfiguration) and other infrastructure improvements at our elementary schools. The district prioritized that work in the first round of projects because it largely concerned safety and functionality of our campuses.
Our goal in the 2024 capital project is to create modern, inviting spaces that foster collaboration, connection and community amongst students, faculty and staff. We are also prioritizing the work needed to complete our middle level reconfiguration. The details of that work will be explained in this newsletter. We encourage you to visit our website or reach out to us at TheFuture@niskyschools.org with your questions. We are committed to providing our students with world class educational programming and facilities. This project, if approved, is a positive step forward toward that goal.
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