Board approves change in capital project scope
New referendum vote set for Feb. 8, 2006

Due to as much as a 40 percent increase in the cost of many construction materials, the Board of Education decided at its meeting on Jan. 3, 2006 to delay construction of Phase IV of the district-wide capital project. The project was approved by voters in February 2004.

Phase IV included work at Kingsborough, McNab and Meco Elementary schools that will now be included in a referendum that will go before voters on Feb. 8, 2007

Although the 2004 bond did include a financial buffer to cover additional expenses and cost increases, the actual increase in the cost of many construction materials soared far beyond the rates of increase in the past. The board had originally looked at eliminating only parts of Phase IV, along with parts of Phase III.

“The board felt it was important to complete all of the work at Park Terrace and Boulevard at this time,” Superintendent Dan Connor said. “And we feel confident that the work at Kingsborough, McNab and Meco will eventually be finished.”

Phase I of the project, the transportation facility, is almost completed, with peripheral items and the punch list to be done. Phases II and III, the High School/Middle School and Park Terrace and Boulevard projects, were already too far along to allow for any cuts, Connor said.

“The change in the scope of the project will not affect the quality of education offered at any of our schools,” Connor said.

By delaying Phase IV, Business Manager Paul Blowers said there will be approximately $5 million left in the capital project fund, which can be applied to the 2007 referendum. Additionally, the district will be using state EXCEL aid to pay the local share of the cost of the project. There will be no tax increase as a result of the proposed bond.

<back