Voters overwhelmingly support AuSable Valley building project

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November 14, 2007

By STEPHEN BARTLETT The Press Republican Wed Nov 14, 2007, 11:15 PM EST

CLINTONVILLE -- Voters overwhelmingly approved an AuSable Valley Central School capital-project proposal that will not raise taxes.

The nearly $30 million proposal is covered by traditional state aid and EXCEL aid, which is exclusively designed to offset the taxpayer portion of capital-project construction costs.

The vote passed by a tally of 253 to 95.

"We're definitely very pleased about the vote," Superintendent Paul Savage said Wednesday night. "I can't say enough about how grateful we are for the strong voter support to enhance the future of the district."

Last year, the School District received $1,032,697 from the state in its final budget that was listed as EXCEL funding, targeted to address major areas within capital projects, such as educational technology, health and safety, accessibility, physical capacity and energy efficiency.

The project that voters decided on Wednesday totaled $29,850,000, of which an estimated $28,817,303 will be covered by traditional state aid and the remaining cost by EXCEL aid.

Work at AuSable Valley Central School will include additional classrooms for pre-K and special education, a new stage, health and safety items, new gym seating and scoreboard, security upgrades, classroom renovations, emergency generators, technology upgrades, improved parent drop-off, library renovations with natural lighting, kitchen upgrades, floor finish, and mechanical and electrical upgrades.

At Keeseville Elementary School, work will include additional classrooms for pre-K and special education, kitchen and serving reorganization and safety items, new gym seating and scoreboard, additional faculty restroom facility, new wood-chip boiler, new generator, technology and security upgrades, and improved bus exiting.

The majority of work is planned for the Middle/High School and will include construction of additional classrooms, a new stair tower to eliminate a dead-end corridor, reconstruction of cafeteria, fitness-center enlargement, health-classroom reconstruction, library reconstruction with natural lighting, multi-purpose special testing room, replacement of corridor floor finishes, asbestos abatement and security upgrades.

Other work scheduled for the facility will entail connecting settled floor in pool corridor, reconstructing deteriorated exterior walks and ramp, adding a new wood-chip boiler and generator, upgrading the home and careers room, providing handicapped lift for auditorium stage, health and safety items, technology upgrades and more.

Savage said there will be additional energy costs associated with heat and electrical of about $35,000 yearly. However, there will be significant energy savings because of some of the changes. In all, the School District predicted around $149,700 in annual energy savings.

sbartlett@pressrepublican.com