Trustees Finalize Capital Project Propositions for May 20 Ballot
Huntington School Board members made a last second addition to the capital project proposition that will appear on the Tuesday, May 20 ballot, deciding to include $70,000 to replace an aging elevator at Huntington Intermediate School.
Trustees are asking residents to approve the release of funds held in the district’s Building Improvement Fund. In June 2003, voters established the fund, also commonly referred to as the Capital Reserve Fund, to finance renovation and reconstruction projects.
“If approved, this proposition would not result in an additional tax increase since the district has existing funds designated for capital projects,” School Board President Richard McGrath said. “Voters are being asked to merely approve the release of the funds. This eliminates the need for the district to borrow money for the projects.”
Trustees added the elevator project to the list of other work after they were told that an earlier project to replace doors and windows at Huntington Intermediate School closed out $280,000 under budget, thus freeing up funds for the new work.
In addition to the Huntington Intermediate School elevator replacement, the proposed projects include: Construction of additional classrooms at Woodhull Intermediate School ($850,000), reconstruction of an exterior wall at Huntington High School ($405,000), construction of a security guard booth at Huntington High School ($25,000), completion of ceiling replacement at Woodhull ($120,000), replacement of the Southdown Primary School fire alarm system ($112,000), irrigation of athletic fields at Washington Primary School ($64,000) and construction of an asphalt play/activity area at Huntington Intermediate School ($72,000).
The funds represent dollars already provided to the district by taxpayers that, because of tight fiscal management and economizing, weren’t needed to pay for regular school operations. The source of the funding is the annual transfer of surplus monies from the district’s general fund.
The irrigation project at Washington School is for field utilized by high school soccer and lacrosse teams. Since the fields are in constant use and are not presently irrigated, it has become impossible to grow grass on large areas of the playing surface. The fields are also used by community groups after school hours and on weekends.
A second capital reserve proposition seeks permission to create a new Building Improvement Fund for the purpose of completing district wide renovation and reconstruction projects. Existing budget monies would again be used to capitalize the new fund. For example, if in any given year the district spends less money than it had originally anticipated, these surplus monies could be transferred by the School Board into the Building Improvement Fund. The fund could only be used for capital projects, such as new school roofs, windows, doors, boilers, facility improvements, etc.
If residents approve, the district would be authorized to transfer up to $2 million in any given year as may be available at the end of each fiscal year from June 30, 2008 through June 30, 2016. The ultimate amount would be capped at $10 million. Voters would still have to give permission before the district actually begins any project.
The school district would be able to apply for state aid on any capital project it completes. This fund would also utilize existing monies and allow the district to avoid borrowing funds through a bond issue. Passage of this proposition will not increase taxes.
Residents can vote on the two capital project propositions along with the proposed 2008-09 budget and candidates for three School Board seats on Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the lobby at Huntington High School.
Voter Eligibility
To vote in the election, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the Huntington School District for at least 30 days and registered to vote in a general election or with the school district.
Absentee Ballots
Applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the District Clerk’s office at the Administrative Offices, 50 Tower Street, Huntington Station, at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or up to the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 for them to be counted in the 2008 election and budget vote.
For information on voter eligibility or absentee ballots contact Distrtic Clerk Elizabeth Troffa at 673-2126.
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