Polls Open Today For CCS Improvements Proposals

CANTON - Voters head to the polls today to decide whether Canton Central School District officials can spend up to $15 million on building improvements with state aid covering an estimated 89 percent of the cost.

Replacing the existing heating system, parts of which date back to 1953 when the original high school was built, is the central part of the proposed capital project.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. in the high school library. Voting is open to district residents 18 years and older who have lived in the district for at least 30 days and are U.S. citizens. Residents do not have to be registered voters to cast their ballots.

Two separate propositions will be on the ballot. Proposition 1 allows the district to spend $6 million to replace the existing steam boiler system with a new hot water system.

Funding in Proposition 1 would also pay for asbestos removal, upgrading siding and curbing and repaving the bus loop and access road. It also covers replacing inoperable bus lifts, upgrading emergency interior and exterior lighting and fire safety infrastructure.

Proposition 2 is for $9 million and would pay for a variety of improvements to McKenney Middle School, including closing in the 1970's-style open classrooms and upgrading bathrooms and locker rooms. The second proposition will only move forward if Proposition I is approved.

Scott J. Sanderson, the district's director of operations, said replacing the heating system is crucial and will save money that otherwise would be spent on costly repairs.

Over the past few years the heating system has experienced numerous problems including two weeks ago when a water supply pump broke and temporarily shut off heat at McKenney Middle School. Steam leaks have also needed repair this winter.

"We've had costly repairs that have had to come out of the operating budget. Emergency repairs are costly to taxpayers because they're not covered by state aid," Mr. Sanderson said Monday.

The new system is also expected to cut the district's fuel bills by roughly $30,000 a year because the number of pumps will be reduced from 33 to nine. The number of boilers would be reduced from five to four and 142 existing steam traps would all be removed.

Upgraded lighting in the building complex is supposed to further reduce the district's utility costs.

The second proposition also provides funding to install a campus-wide security system, upgrade technology, replace the existing outdoor cinder track with an all-weather track and upgrade athletic fields.