Trending
Chautauqua Lake Central School District residents voted to approve a $18.5-million dollar capital construction project on Tuesday.
The results, certified by the Chautauqua Board of Elections, included 143 yes votes and 37 no votes, resulting in the highest approval rate for any capital improvement project in the history of the district.
"We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Chautauqua Lake community for their continued support of our district and our students," Superintendent Dr. Josh Liddell said. "The work we have planned for the capital project is going to greatly enhance our student programming and preserve our district assets for years to come. The various elements embedded in the project will enable us to continue to grow and progress as a district."
The improvements will cover building systems; building envelope improvements; information technology systems and infrastructure upgrades; cafeteria upgrades; technology program expansion; and athletic and site facility updates.
Specific areas addressed include the district's playground, generator, kitchen equipment, geothermal well vault, heat pump and fire alarm panel.
The project will also fund the installation of synthetic turf at the athletic complex.
"We are very pleased and grateful to see the overwhelming community support the school district received regarding our capital project," said Amy Webb, board of education president. "We thank our district leadership team, capital project committee and our board for their work in regards to project development."
The district's aid ratio is 72.1%, meaning for every $1,000 spent, about $720 will be reimbursed by New York state.
"This project will allow us to utilize our 72.1% state building aid ratio combined with capital-specific reserves to take care of critical maintenance items and a variety of instructional and athletic enhancements," said Jackson Graham, district business executive. "We do not anticipate any local tax increase for district taxpayers due to the project."