As a former superintendent of schools in a small city school district, it is important for the public to be educated on Proposition # 1 for a vote on November 7, 2023.

If approved, this proposition will amend the state Constitution to repeal the debt ceiling of capital projects for small city school districts. Presently, the 57 small city school districts in New York State are limited and can only borrow a maximum of 5% of the five-year average of all taxable real estate within the school district. All other schools such as rural and suburban school districts may borrow up to a maximum of 10% of all taxable real estate in that district.

This anomaly was created before budget votes were allowed in small city school districts such as Jamestown or Dunkirk. No one’s taxes will be affected by this vote. It is an opportunity to make the state rules and regulations for all school districts and to get rid of an outdated restriction that affects small city school districts.

Small city school districts have difficulty financing needed capital improvement projects that affect health and safety projects, roofing replacements, facility renovations, HVAC improvements and keeping up with the changing state education requirements.

Basically, these districts need to phase or “stagger” their capital project into smaller projects that have to take place over a number of years to stay under the 5% debt limit cap. The staggering of a capital project over several years often results in significant delays and even higher costs and more prolonged learning environment disruptions for our students.

The current 5% debt limit is a relic from the past where there were many differences in laws governing small city budgets. But now, small city school districts are subject to the same budget vote procedures and property tax cap limits as their rural and suburban counterparts.

A Yes vote on Proposition #1 will allow all schools to have the same ability to create the best possible learning environment for our children. I encourage all voters to vote yes for Proposition #1 on November 7, 2023

Raymond Fashano was superintendent of the Jamestown Public Schools District for 10 years and is presently the executive director of the Chautauqua County School Boards Association.