Heuvelton Central School District residents approved a $25M Capital Improvement Project on Thursday, with 126 votes in favor and 20 votes against.
The project, which will begin construction in 2025, will be funded primarily through state aid with a reimbursement rate of 94.3%. The district’s capital reserve fund will contribute $2.6M. There will be no tax increase associated with the project.
“I appreciate the contributions of our Facilities Committee and stakeholder groups that provided input throughout the Building Condition Survey (BCS) process,” said Superintendent Jesse Coburn. “Board members Mr. Andy Martin and Mrs. Jacqueline Bill stepped up to serve on the Facilities Committee and spent many hours reviewing BCS material and helping to develop the proposal. The outcome of the vote validates their insights and priorities on making these significant capital improvements for the district.”
The capital improvement project will focus on several areas of improvement. In the area of building infrastructure, the primary parking lot will be reconstructed, electrical feeders will be replaced, masonry will be restored, and the HVAC system will see improvements.
To address space adequacy concerns, the kitchen and serving area will be expanded, and the cafeteria will be reconstructed to accommodate separate dining areas for elementary and secondary students. Additionally, there will be a designated concession and cafe area.
The high school gymnasium will also see improvements, with a total reconstruction to bring the gymnasium up to current standards. Existing space will be renovated into a fitness center, and locker rooms will be upgraded. The nurse’s suite and student support areas will also see improvements to increase student privacy and expand resources.
The final category of improvements will address student and staff safety, with upgrades to the building’s main entrance, the addition of heated sidewalks, and the replacement of multi-party toilet rooms with individual toilet rooms.
Also included in the project are improvements to the community walking trail, and addition of bathrooms that can be securely accessed from outside of the building during school events.
Heuvelton Central School will share project timeline information as well as updates as the project progresses at https://www.heuvelton.k12.ny.us/apps/pages/CIP_2023.