Reminder: Please Vote Dec. 6, 2022 – That’s Next Week – on Borrowing to Upgrade Eldred Schools, Sports Facilities and Grounds
Taxes Would Not Increase Due to These Projects
We want to remind you about the important vote coming up on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Eldred Central School District’s voters will decide whether to give the district authority to borrow $11.16 million to help pay for vital upgrades and renovations at George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School and Eldred Junior Senior High School. Taxes would not increase due to these projects because the funds would be borrowed only after two existing bonds – also known as loans – are paid off in 2025. The project’s total cost would be $12.73 million, with the district funding the difference. New York State would reimburse a portion of costs. Construction would be from 2024 to 2026. Residents will vote from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Eldred Junior Senior High School’s gymnasium. For information on absentee ballots, please contact District Clerk Lisa Sibirtzeff at sibirtzeffl@eldred.k12.ny.us.
We invite you to view a video explaining the bond project. It includes renderings of the improvements as well as video of the deterioration in places, such as our high school’s athletic fields, that prompted the bond project. You can find the video, and other materials outlining the plans, on our school district’s newly redesigned website, www.eldred.k12.ny.us. The improvements are designed to expand achievement in literacy, math, science, multimedia and sports. They also will further inspire students’ analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, all while enhancing communication, collaboration and innovation. The upgrades we’re planning:
- George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School: A new roof would replace the leaky original roof near the end of its useful life. New sidewalks would replace cracked, unsafe sidewalks.
- Eldred Junior Senior High School: A wider all-weather football field and track, which also would host soccer games and be open to the community, would be installed. In recent years, one third of home sports events were cancelled due to unsafe conditions for student athletes. In addition, new and expanded restrooms at the field would replace aged facilities with insufficient capacity. The field would have a concession stand and spectator seating would be added on the hill overlooking the field.
- Both schools: Libraries would be upgraded into global learning centers, multipurpose areas that foster collaboration, communication and academic growth. Both schools also would add a “maker’s space” for independent learning and teacher-directed group or individual projects.
The school district budget that residents vote on each year does not include discretionary funds for major work on facilities and grounds. Payments would be spread over 17 years, with the first payment due in June 2026. Thank you, and please remember to vote Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Eldred Jr. Sr. High School gymnasium.
Sincerely,
Traci Ferreira
Superintendent
Eldred Central School District