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Educational Facilities Planning and Implementation Process
Educational Facilities Planning and Implementation Process.pdf (8MB)
Update on State EXCEL Aid and a Possible Capital Project
From Tom Burns, Superintendent
I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some information regarding a new form of aid being offered by New York State, how it works, and how it could affect a possible referendum and small capital project in the near future.
The program, called EXCEL (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning), was included in Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2006, and will be funded through the Dormitory Authority of NYS. Schools would be allowed to utilize this aid for projects involving the following:
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Education Technology
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Health and Safety
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Accessibility
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Physical capacity expansion
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Energy
For more information on EXCEL aid, you may view State Education Department Field Memo from 9/06 at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/EXCEL/ExcelQ&A062606.htm
Under this program, Parishville-Hopkinton would be able to utilize moneys to pay the local portion of a project. This is particularly true in our case because we are considered High Needs and already possess a high building aid ratio. The New York State Council for School Superintendents reached this conclusion: “EXCEL can greatly assist schools without a dramatic local tax impact. Schools are encouraged to take advantage of this program.”
Our total EXCEL apportionment was $376,658. Based on this amount, we have obtained an analysis from Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc., 120 Walnut Street, Syracuse, NY, of the size of a potential project that the school district would need to undertake in order to capture this full allocation of EXCEL money. Their analysis revealed a total approved project cost would be $2,116, 056.
At this point, the Board has agreed it would be wise to look into the feasibility of utilizing this new aid for items that were either cut from the last capital project, or were indicated as needing attention within five years according to our most recent Building Condition Survey, completed by King & King Architects and Sacks Engineering in 2005. Based on the level of satisfaction with the recently completed project and the effective working relationship that was established with King & King, the Board approved my recommendation to begin the process of developing a scope and cost analysis with the architectural firm, with a possible public referendum in April.
This scope and cost matrix was shared with the Board at our January 16, 2007 meeting. King & King architect Jeff Siddell explained that the pricing he used was very conservative, and that on top of the pricing (in today’s dollars), he had built in a 20% contingency to arrive at the total. With all of the items off the Building Condition Survey included, as well as uncompleted items from the previous project, and a few extras, the total amount was $2,628, 756. A Board ad-hoc committee consisting of Ward Remington, Willard Witherell, and Jim Young agreed to meet with me to prioritize the list of necessary items in the event this $2.6 M cannot be trimmed down to the $2.1 M EXCEL allotment. This prioritizing should be completed by the February Board meeting. In that eventuality, the Board can use the established priorities to create alternates which might be added back into the project if bids come back lower than anticipated or other cost savings can be realized. The scope of the work that is included at this point would be:
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Interior Electrical Distribution Upgrade to 1969 wing
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Possible full system upgrade of public address system
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Reline existing boiler stack
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Domestic Water and Sanitary Drainage Piping Replacement
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Replace Existing Domestic Hot Water Heating System
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Renovate Lobby Bathrooms
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Add 100 gallon Fuel Oil day tank to boiler plant
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Add Air conditioning to computer lab, server room
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Replace 1969 wing unit ventilators and improve ventilation in other areas
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Extend of digital control system (Siemens) to include 1969, 1990 wings
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Replace main gym lighting, other lighting upgrades
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Auditorium video projection and sound system, carpet and curtain replacement
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Roof replacements in all areas with exception of 2004 additions
As you can see, these items mostly deal with upgrading the physical plant. If the Board approves the proposed plan at their February meeting, we will be getting information out to you as quickly as possible regarding community informational meetings and a referendum date. (See Educational Facilities Planning & Implementation Process attachment) We would also be submitting a letter of intent to the State Education Department’s Office of Facilities Planning. This office will be handling dozens and quite possibly hundreds of capital project plans for review, so timely submission will be in our best interest.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me here at school with any questions, and I’m sure the Board members would be willing to answer any questions as well, or pass any input along at our meetings. As always, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation for your continued support of our children!
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