Newark Central School District residents are set to vote on a proposition on March 21st that would authorize the district to borrow an additional $5 million to complete a $15.4 million capital project. The project was approved by voters in February 2022 and will include improvements to boilers, air-conditioning, and related systems in all five school district buildings.
If approved, the additional funding will ensure that the project can be fully completed, even if bids for the work come in higher than anticipated. The NCSD Facilities/Safety Committee made the decision to hold a special vote after bids for similar projects in other school districts across the state were received at higher-than-expected levels.
The approved project will install air conditioning at Lincoln, Perkins, and Kelley schools, as well as HVAC work at the high and middle schools, to allow for the possibility of installing air conditioning at those locations in the future. It will also replace aging boilers in all five instructional buildings. According to NCSD Assistant Superintendent for Business Ed Gnau, the project will provide filtered and cleaner air for students at the elementary level and a more conducive learning environment for students in the multi-story buildings.
The proposition set before voters will authorize the Board of Education of the Newark Central School District to expend additional amounts for the capital improvements previously approved by voters. The estimated maximum aggregate additional cost of $5,000,000 will bring the total project cost to $20,430,000. The tax to be collected in annual installments will be offset by state aid available therefor, and additional debt obligations of the school district may be necessary not to exceed $5,000,000.
Gnau emphasized that the vote is not to change the scope of the work but to allow for the full completion of the project as approved by voters in February 2022. Voting in the special election will be held from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Newark High School foyer.
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