Sherburne-Earlville asks voters to approve $25.2 million project
SHERBURNE – On Tuesday, Dec. 18, voters in the Sherburne-Earlville School District will be asked to approve a $25.2 million project that administrators say will address the current and future needs of the district.
Assistant Superintendent Thomas Strain explained that while the district has a beautiful and well-equipped facility, the middle/high school building was constructed in 1970, and even the newer elementary school building is now 11 years old.
“Technology is rapidly changing, and the number of hours the school is occupied increases every year. Energy costs continue to increase, and school security is always a concern and a priority. We have an obligation to protect our investment in the facilities, and we presently have an opportunity to update and upgrade our facilities at virtually no cost to local taxpayers,” Strain said.
Although the cost of the improvements is high, Strain explained since the Sherburne and Earlville Districts merged in 1970, the state provides additional building aid, totaling a 95 percent ratio. In addition, several districts are currently taking advantage of another state funding source: EXCEL Aid. Sherburne-Earlville has been designated $1.3 million in EXCEL Aid, which can be used for improvements in educational technology, health and safety, which includes building security, accessibility for students with disabilities, expansion of physical capacity and energy efficiency.
Finally, the state provides an additional 3 percent aid for high poverty districts, which includes Sherburne-Earlville. “This will reduce our local cost to zero,” Strain said.
The assistant superintendent pointed out that the mere availability of state funds was not reason enough to undertake such an extensive plan. He explained that there are several issues at the school that could be improved by taking on this project. “We have an opportunity to address issues confronting every school district as well as those unique to Sherburne-Earlville,” Strain said.
The plan calls for an array of varied improvements to be done. “Some parts of the project will address normal wear and tear – deteriorating paving, worn stairways, masonry sealing and repointing – items that would need to be addressed anyway, but when done within a building project the cost isn’t borne by local taxpayers,” Strain explained.
The building project will also include improvements to the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, which should make the school more energy efficient. Ice and snow melt systems will be installed at the entrances. A new stage floor and sound system will be added to the auditorium. A wall in the swimming pool area will be replaced, due to condensation damage. A new wall covering, seating and increased access will be added to the pool gallery. The middle school main office and guidance office will be relocated, so they are closer to the main entrance. A new security system will be implemented, allowing for card swipe access and automatic doors at the main entrance and cameras to be placed at each major entrance and corridor intersection. Occupancy sensors will be added to the classrooms, and several other upgrades and improvements are planned.
The school plans a Dec. 18 referendum. Additional information on the proposed building improvement project will soon be available on the school web site at www.secsd.org.
Assistant Superintendent Thomas Strain explained that while the district has a beautiful and well-equipped facility, the middle/high school building was constructed in 1970, and even the newer elementary school building is now 11 years old.
“Technology is rapidly changing, and the number of hours the school is occupied increases every year. Energy costs continue to increase, and school security is always a concern and a priority. We have an obligation to protect our investment in the facilities, and we presently have an opportunity to update and upgrade our facilities at virtually no cost to local taxpayers,” Strain said.
Although the cost of the improvements is high, Strain explained since the Sherburne and Earlville Districts merged in 1970, the state provides additional building aid, totaling a 95 percent ratio. In addition, several districts are currently taking advantage of another state funding source: EXCEL Aid. Sherburne-Earlville has been designated $1.3 million in EXCEL Aid, which can be used for improvements in educational technology, health and safety, which includes building security, accessibility for students with disabilities, expansion of physical capacity and energy efficiency.
Finally, the state provides an additional 3 percent aid for high poverty districts, which includes Sherburne-Earlville. “This will reduce our local cost to zero,” Strain said.
The assistant superintendent pointed out that the mere availability of state funds was not reason enough to undertake such an extensive plan. He explained that there are several issues at the school that could be improved by taking on this project. “We have an opportunity to address issues confronting every school district as well as those unique to Sherburne-Earlville,” Strain said.
The plan calls for an array of varied improvements to be done. “Some parts of the project will address normal wear and tear – deteriorating paving, worn stairways, masonry sealing and repointing – items that would need to be addressed anyway, but when done within a building project the cost isn’t borne by local taxpayers,” Strain explained.
The building project will also include improvements to the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, which should make the school more energy efficient. Ice and snow melt systems will be installed at the entrances. A new stage floor and sound system will be added to the auditorium. A wall in the swimming pool area will be replaced, due to condensation damage. A new wall covering, seating and increased access will be added to the pool gallery. The middle school main office and guidance office will be relocated, so they are closer to the main entrance. A new security system will be implemented, allowing for card swipe access and automatic doors at the main entrance and cameras to be placed at each major entrance and corridor intersection. Occupancy sensors will be added to the classrooms, and several other upgrades and improvements are planned.
The school plans a Dec. 18 referendum. Additional information on the proposed building improvement project will soon be available on the school web site at www.secsd.org.
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