Capital Reserve Proposition Takes Shape
While Huntington School Board members have not yet taken any final action, the outlines of a possible capital reserve fund proposition are taking shape in the Huntington School District.
Superintendent James W. Polansky outlined $1,715,500 worth of needed projects in five of the districts buildings that officials would like to see included in a May 21 proposition. Monies for the work already exist and are set aside in a reserve fund created by residents to cover the cost of such projects. The district will not need to borrow or incur any interest expenses should a proposition pass.
"It remains critical that we continue progressing with our multi-capital plan to ensure that our facilities are fully functioning and capable of supporting routine day-to-day activities," Mr. Polansky said. "Our school buildings are in particularly good condition, but decades of use generally dictate that certain items and systems will need upgrade or replacement. Again, the district's capital plan is designed to accomplish these upgrades and replacements in an incremental manner so that the labor and costs involved are more manageable."
The district is considering the following projects to include in this year's capital reserve fund proposition:
Huntington High School
• Renovation of girls' locker room: $320,000
• Electrical upgrade to kitchen/basement hallway: $50,000
• Library roof replacement and masonry wall repair: $75,000
Total: $445,000
J. Taylor Finley Middle School
• Renovation of the boys' and girls' locker rooms: $560,000
Total: $560,000
Nathaniel Woodhull Intermediate School
• Purchase of modular classrooms complex: $332,000
• Replacement of the public address system: $120,000
Total: $452,000
Jack Abrams School
• Replacement of in-ground oil tank: $192,500
Total: $192,500
Jefferson Primary School
• Replacement of clock system: $40,000
• Replacement of stage wiring: $26,000
Total: $66,000
If the district is awarded the large grant it is seeking to establish a STEM magnet school, two additional capital projects will be added to the list of work at Jack Abrams School. The projects total an estimated $310,000 and include renovating 45 year old science laboratories ($225,000) and replacing an original water booster ($85,000).
The monies in the capital reserve fund 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.