POTSDAM - The board of education has trimmed the scope of work for a potential building and renovation project down to $18 million, a total that if approved could be spent without creating an additional burden on the district’s taxpayers.

“We’ve got it down to a level that will not affect taxpayers,” said Wade A. Davis, who chairs the board’s buildings, grounds and transportation committee. Mr. Davis noted $15 million of the project total is construction costs with another $3 million in incidental expenses.

The board is scheduled to approve the scope when they meet on Oct. 23.

“There were several items from the building condition survey that are included,” Mr. Davis said, adding work will be done at the bus garage, as well as each of its school buildings.

The project includes a district-wide fire alarm system upgrade at a cost of $275,000.

The bus garage is scheduled to receive $836,000 worth of work, including $263,700 in roof work, $279,600 for pavement improvements and $208,600 to replace and relocate the district’s fuel tank.

At Lawrence Avenue Elementary, the district is planning to spend $2,585,750, including $451,000 to replace the building’s lighting fixtures and $1,591,300 in roof work.

Work scheduled for AA Kingston Middle School totals $2,463,300, including $549,200 to replace the building’s lighting fixtures, $438,800 to upgrade the building’s electricity distribution system and $206,800 in roof work.

The bulk of the project’s work will come at the high school, which is slated to receive $8,841,990 in work.

Work at the high school includes $669,900 to replace the building’s lighting fixtures, $1,760,840 in exterior work to the building, including new windows and siding, $3,860,800 to upgrade the building’s heating system and $1,302,700 in roof work.

“We focused on energy efficiency,” Mr. Davis said, adding once the project is complete, the district can expect to see lower heating and electric bills.

The project will be paid for with $885,000 in capital reserves and financial aid from the state at a rate of 86.1 percent. The project, which will be financed over 15 years includes a local share of $2,804,086 which will be offset by the capital reserve and $173,643 in debt payments from previous projects that is coming off of their books prior to the 2014-2015 year, when Mr. Brady said the district will make it’s first payments on this project.

Looking at a chart provided by the district’s Fiscal Advisors, the district’s financial consultant, Mr. Brady noted the new debt will be slightly less than what is coming off of the books.

“With the old debt coming off and the new debt coming on, you will still see a slight decrease,” he said.

The district is planning to hold a vote on the project this December.

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