Community Invited to Learn More About Bond Proposal Set for Nov. 28
In an effort to inform the community about the upcoming bond referendum, the Elwood Board of Education invites all interested residents to attend building tours on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The tours will be held at Harley Avenue Primary School, James H. Boyd Intermediate School, Elwood Middle School and Elwood-John H. Glenn High School beginning at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in each building. An administrator will guide residents through the school, identify current facility challenges and highlight the projects to be addressed through the proposed bond.
In addition, community members are also invited to attend a Superintendent’s Community Forum on Monday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Elwood Middle School. At that time, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert will provide an overview of the bond proposal and answer any questions residents may have.
All information related to the bond can be found on the district’s website, www.elwood.k12.ny.us. The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. at District Office.
Bond Vote Set for Tuesday, Nov. 28
The Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution at its Sept. 28 business meeting to present a bond proposal to the greater community for vote on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The proposal addresses a number of major renovations and repairs at all schools throughout the district to address aging infrastructure, as well as several academic enhancements.
The proposal consists of two propositions. The first proposition includes health and safety improvements at each of the district’s four buildings. These include total roof replacements at each school, repairs to crumbling sidewalks and curbing, abatement of contained asbestos and renovations to the cafeterias and middle and high school auditoriums. The first proposition also addresses academic enhancements, including renovations to the high school science labs, middle and high school art rooms, and family and consumer science classrooms. A Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics lab would also be created at the high school to provide students with additional hands-on learning experiences.
The bus loop at Elwood Middle School would be reconfigured through the first proposition, eliminating current congestion and safety concerns that exist during building drop-off and pick-up times. Additional parking would be added at James H. Boyd Intermediate School which would allow the building to host schoolwide events after hours. The first proposition also includes the addition of air conditioning to each building cafeteria, providing a cool, safe place for students to gather on days of oppressive heat, as well as the renovation of the high school tennis courts that are in extreme disrepair.
A second proposition will also appear on the Nov. 28 ballot. The second proposition includes the addition of a synthetic turf field at the high school, as well as a new concession stand, press box and outdoor restroom facilities at the main field. It is important to note that the second proposition can only pass if the first proposition is also approved by residents.
The total cost of Proposition 1 is approximately $34.5 million. If approved, the annual tax impact to the average community resident (with an assessed value of $3,800) would be approximately $221 a year or $18.42 a month. The total cost of Proposition 2 is $3.65 million. If Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 are both approved, the annual tax impact to the average community resident (with an assessed value of $3,800) would be approximately $333 a year or $27.75 a month.
Residents are encouraged to visit the district’s website, www.elwood.k12.ny.us, for detailed information on the proposal, as well as a tax calculator to help them determine what their estimated tax impact would be.
More information on the proposal will be sent to all residents in the coming months, and the district also looks forward to scheduling building tours for interested residents to see current building conditions firsthand.
“Over the course of the next two months, I look forward to as much community participation as possible,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert. “We want to provide as much information as possible to residents so that they can make an informed decision at the polls on Nov. 28.”
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6am-9pm @ District Office
