Clymer Central School Superintendent Beth Olson, right, and resident Cindy Willink are pictured greeting area district residents as they come to vote on a proposed capital construction project. Photo by David Prenatt

CLYMER — Clymer Central School District residents overwhelmingly approved a capital construction project by a vote of 180 to 26 this week.

The $4.5 million project will address long-standing issues in the areas of deferred maintenance, asset preservation, safety and security and energy efficiency. The project includes roof restoration, foundation repairs to a retaining wall, restoration of the septic system, fire alarm and phone system upgrades, reconstruction of the front steps, lighting upgrades and replacement of the controls system.

“It’s really a nuts and bolts project to keep our school functional and to keep our kids safe,” said Superintendent Beth Olson. She noted that most of these projects have been needed for some time and the maintenance staff has struggled to keep the equipment operating.

Olson emphasized that the project will have no additional tax impact for residents. The project will be paid for through the state building aid and district reserves. At present, the state aid building ratio for Clymer is 83.8%, which leaves 16.2% for the district to provide.

“Our message to the public is that we will have no additional tax impact,” Olson said.

Olson said that once the project has been approved, it will be sent to the state for final approval.

“Once the project has the commissioner’s name on it, the funds are guaranteed,” Olson said.

Clymer resident Eleanor Aikens, who has lived in the district all her life, assisted people with how to vote. She said she wanted the project to be approved so that Clymer could remain a viable school.

“I’m not for merging,” she said. “I suppose it has some benefits, but I think the personal contact you have in the community is a big reason to keep a school going in a small town.”

The roof repair is by far the biggest aspect of the project, Olson said, and will cost $1 million. A brochure mailed to all residents notes that the roof is no longer under warranty and has undergone several patching jobs.

The repairs to the foundation of a retaining wall is also an essential element of the project. Olson noted that the retaining wall is the only area with foundational problems. The school building itself is solid, she said.

The flyer sent to residents states that the septic system has been “a challenge for the maintenance staff to keep operational.” Olson added that it “definitely needs some adjustments.”

The brochure describes the mechanical control system as “currently antiquated.” The project will completely replace the system which will allow for “better control of our HVAC equipment and improved ventilation.”

The project also calls for all of the lights to be upgraded to LED, thereby creating long-range savings.

Olson noted that delaying these improvements would likely result in high costs for the district, should any aspect of the project suddenly require emergency repairs. “That would definitely have a tax impact,” she said. “We are trying to be pro-active and address these areas before there is a problem.”