Voters approve PHCS Project

PARISHVILLE - Voters in the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District overwhelmingly lent their support to a proposed $500,000 capital project.

“I’ll be able to sleep a little better knowing we’ll be able to get these upgrades for the kids, especially the wireless. That will be nice,” said Superintendent Darin P. Saiff, referring to the installation of a wireless internet system.

By a more than three to one margin, 53 to 15, voters approved of the project, which will now enter its design phase. For that portion of the project Mr. Saiff said the district will turn to King & King Architects, Syracuse.

One the project is designed the final proposal must be sent to the State Education Department for approval.

“We anticipate work beginning next winter and hopefully completing the work by that summer,” he said.

The project is slated to include an upgrade to their fire detection and alarm system, an expansion of the district’s security system, the installation of a wireless data network, an update to the clock and public address systems, replacement of emergency lighting and exit signs, the replacement of outdated lighting fixtures in the gymnasium and auditorium, an emergency generator and a new roof over the bus garage.

Two other items that the district would like to include in the project include renovations to the locker rooms and some new playground equipment.

However, Mr. Saiff said he doesn’t think those two items will be able to fall within the project’s budgets.

“The preliminary estimates on work in the locker rooms were quite high,” he said, also adding, “Playground equipment is very expensive.”

When asked why he thought the voters offered such overwhelming support, Mr. Saiff replied, “I think this project encompasses some upgrades to the building that we require at this time and by using our remaining EXCEL aid and some money from our capital reserve we were able to this project with no projected tax levy increase.”

Mr. Saiff explained that with an 82 percent building aid ratio and $65,858 in EXCEL added to $35,000 taken from their capital reserve fund, the district will be able to completely fund the project without having to increase taxes in support of the project.