Oswego County BOCES Proposed $35.4M Renovation Project

School districts are required by New York State Department of Education (SED) to have a Five-Year Facilities Plan on file to remain in compliance with SED standards for occupancy. In October 2009 a leadership committee, comprised of superintendents and board members from the nine school districts in our county along with Oswego County BOCES (OCB) board of education members and administrators, was established to explore how OCB should address its facilities plan. Our current five year plan was filed in 2009 and contains $20M in critical needs work that is scheduled to be completed by 2014. This critical needs plan focuses on health and safety concerns by addressing many original construction (circa 1969) infrastructure improvements including replacing failing and obsolete systems such as fire alarm, clock, telephone, HVAC, lighting, and electrical, while also updating plumbing and drainage.

The leadership committee recommended the plan to include an additional $15.4M to provide:
• Improved student program space (renovation of current classrooms and labs, providing flexible space to adapt to future program needs);
• Updated classroom and program equipment;
• Added security measures (single point of entry for visitors and students);
• Improved vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns;
• Opportunity to include green initiatives and technologies.

The majority of the work is for student program space re-configurations and renovations, site work, and the purchase of equipment and classroom furniture. The remainder will cover general construction incidental costs (surveys, construction insurance, architects, attorneys, etc.).

This renovation project proposal has been substantially pared down from the last project proposal and will address the critical needs work outlined in the five year facilities plan, as well as provide an additional $15.4 million for improved student program space as identified above. The nine school districts will be able to finance the $35.4M project over 20 years. Click here to see the estimated annual fiscal impact for district residents. For more specific tax impact data that includes a town-by-town breakdown, please click on the district charts below. Note: The dollar figures you see on all documents represent the total payment per year for this referendum.

• Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District
• Central Square Central School District
• Fulton City School District
• Hannibal Central School District
• Mexico Academy and Central School District
• Oswego City School District
• Phoenix Central School District
• Pulaski Academy and Central School District
• Sandy Creek Central School District

Vote Date: Monday, February 28, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Voting Eligibility and Information:

The referendum is open to all residents of the Oswego County BOCES region.

You are eligible to vote if:
• You are a U.S. Citizen;
• You are at least 18 years of age;
• You have been a legal resident of the Oswego County BOCES district for at least 30 days prior to the voting date.

Oswego County BOCES Region Map

Please Note: All persons offering to vote will be asked to provide proof of residency along with address and signature. Acceptable proof of residency includes: driver’s license, non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card. Persons who do not provide proof of residence will be asked to sign a declaration in order to be allowed to vote. Pre-registration is not required.

Absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the Oswego County BOCES Clerk, Melissa Allard, at (315) 963-4222.

Questions?

Call (315)963-4222 or email renovation@oswegoboces.org