Voters in the Frewsburg Central School District will go to the polls Dec. 3 to vote on a $5,656,000 capital project.

All of the work has been identified in the district’s 2010 Building Conditions Survey and its Five Year Capital Facilities Plan. As it stands now, the project includes auditorium upgrades for increased instructional use and community access; the relocation of the middle/high school office to improve security and facilitate student access; the construction of new physical science, reading and ISS classrooms; second-floor improvements such as study hall, computer classrooms and a new distance learning center, as well as comfort control of all spaces and new corridor lockers; and the replacement of the football field bleachers and press box.

The district will use $525,000 from its general fund to pay the local share, so no new local money is needed. State building aid will pay 85 percent of the project cost.

Regardless of where people stand on the Common Core State Standards, it is undeniable that education is changing. There are dozens of factors that help a child receive the best education possible – good teachers, administrative leadership, curriculum and an engaged family. Proper facilities can’t be forgotten. Education is already facing pressure to keep up with technology, and that pressure is likely only to increase in the future.

District officials can make a very good case for the building project, but they are still asking the public for approval to use more than a half-million dollars from the general fund. That expenditure keeps the building project from impacting the tax levy, but it is still money that could be used for countless other areas. Given that expenditure, we’re sure many district residents will have questions before they are comfortable giving a yes vote to the capital project. The district will hold a final public hearing on the project on Nov. 20.

Those with questions should be sure to attend.