Canton Project Costs Up For Vote
CANTON - Proposed building improvements at Canton Central School would boost school taxes, but the steepness of the hike depends on whether voters support the full $15 million project or just part of it.
Two separate funding propositions go before voters from noon to 8 p.m. Jan. 31 in the high school library.
Proposition I allows the district to spend $6 million, mostly for a new boiler system.
A second $9 million proposition is earmarked for middle school renovations, upgrades to athletic fields, a new all-weather track and other upgrades.
Proposition II will only move forward if voters approve Proposition I because school officials said installing a new heating system is the most crucial item on the project list.
Community members will have the chance to learn more about the capital improvement project and ask questions during two separate public information sessions scheduled for next week.
The first is from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium, 99 State St.
On Jan. 26 members of the public can participate in a building tour that starts at 6 p.m. in the high school office lobby. The tour will be immediately followed by the second information session, scheduled for 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
School Board President Barbara B. Beekman said the building tour will provide the chance to show community members the poor condition of the existing boiler system and other building needs.
"The tour will really help illuminate the scope of the problem," Mrs. Beekman said. "It will show the size and complexity of the heating system."
Despite facing another tough budget year, Mrs. Beekman said, waiting until the district's financial conditions improve isn't the best option.
"I don't think we have the luxury of waiting. The problems are pressing," Mrs. Beekman said.
Also, in the future the state is expected to reduce how much building aid is available to school districts, so Canton school officials want to take advantage of the district's existing 89 percent building aid rate.
The impact on the property tax rate varies depending on whether the full $15 million project is approved or just the $6 million proposition. Property taxes would not be impacted until the 2013-14 school year.
If only the first proposition passes, the tax rate would increase from $18.63 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to $18.67, according to estimates from school officials.
As a result, owners of a home assessed at $100,000 with the STAR exemption would see their annual school tax bill increase by $2.80.
Voter approval of both propositions would increase the tax rate to $18.90. Estimated yearly taxes on a $100,000 property with STAR exemption would increase by $20.25.
Items included in the $6 million Proposition I:
* Replacing the existing steam boiler heating system with a new hot water boiler system
* Removing asbestos and lead in floors, ceilings and crawl spaces
* Upgrading emergency interior and exterior lighting and fire safety infrastructure
* Repairing crumbling sidewalks and curbing
* Repaving the bus loop and access road
* Replacing inoperable bus lifts
Items in the $9 million Proposition II:
* A major renovation of the middle school to address instructional, security and safety deficiencies
* Installation of a campus-wide security system
* Upgrading of the school-wide technology infrastructure
* Necessary repair of athletic fields including replacement of existing cinder track with an all-weather track.
* Related site, health, safety and energy conservation improvements
