OXFORD – After 2 1/2 years of planning and several trips back to the drawing board, the Oxford Academy and Central School District has received the approval of its residents to proceed with a proposed $4.65 million phase one capital project which will renovate and refurbish each of the school system’s existing buildings.
The matter was decided Thursday by voter referendum held from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Oxford High School. According to District Clerk Michele Rice, a total of 287 votes were cast, with 152 for the project and 135 against.
A total of 27 absentee ballots were received, she reported, 18 of which were counted. The remaining nine were deemed invalid.
Members of the district’s school board and administration, as well as community members who were involved with the process as part of a Facility Advisory Committee, expressed their happiness with the outcome of the vote.
“The board is very pleased with our community’s support of our Phase I Capital Project,” said President Robin DeBrita, speaking on behalf of the district’s board of education. “This project will address our building’s immediate needs and is the result of the dedicated efforts of many of our school staff and community members.”
DeBrita added her belief that approval of the project was a testament to the value and importance the Oxford community places on education.
Oxford resident and FAC Member Anna Stark also expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the vote.
“Passage of the referendum indicates that the Oxford community is committed to renovating, maintaining and preserving our historic middle school as an educational facility for our children,” she said.
After more than two years working to arrive at a project that would meet the approval of residents, the outcome was a relief for Oxford School Board Member Mary Branham.
“I wanted to see ... (the project) go through successfully,” said Branham, who was a member of the FAC before being elected to the board. “Thank you to all the voters who came out.”
Superintendent Randy Squier expressed his gratitude at well, to both the voters and all those involved with the process of putting together the proposal.
“I want to thank the employees and community members who participated in the planning that led to the board’s final scope of (work for) this project. Everyone who contributed should be commended for their patience and remaining focused on kids,” the superintendent said.
Of the project’s $4.65 million total price tag, $3,475,574 will be allocated to renovate and refurbish the 79-year old middle school building. The remaining $1,174,426 will be divided between the primary and high schools, where $666,164 and $508,262 have been allocated respectively to bring the buildings into compliance with current codes, upgrade the mechanical system, increase security and address other identified issues.
“This project addresses many of our more immediate needs with our buildings,” said Squier. “When this project is completed, our students and employees will be safe, and work in a more comfortable learning environment than they do today.”
According to a project timeline laid out prior to the vote, the Bernier Carr Group, the architectural consulting firm retained by the district, will begin preparing detailed design documents which will be submitted to the New York State Education Department for approval in May of 2010. They hope to have that approval by September in order to beginning the bidding phase in Fall of 2010.
Pre-construction planning will take place between December and January, with preliminary construction beginning in the early months of 2011 and heavier work waiting until students get out in the spring. Construction is expected to take between 12 to 18 months to complete.