The Marlboro Central School District Board of Education has proposed a $19.49 million Capital Project designed to address key safety issues and enhance student programs throughout the District. The project would also address several high priority infrastructure updates that were identified in the State-mandated Building Condition Survey (BCS), an extensive facilities review conducted by professional architects and engineers every five years.
CSArch, the architectural firm hired to oversee the Capital Project—being called Vision 2020—reviewed Marlboro’s 2015 BCS and developed a list of items that they recommended be addressed. The findings were presented during a series of public Board of Education meetings held throughout February and March. The Board took the architects’ recommendations into account, as well as input from students, staff, and the community and an evaluation of the financial resources currently available when developing the final scope of work for the project.
“We are grateful to the Board for putting in the time and doing their due diligence in developing this Capital Project proposal, as well as to everyone who has lent their support and been involved throughout the process,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Brooks.
A strategic approach to financing the project has been carefully developed in order to leverage available funds so the work can be completed without needing an increase in taxes. The District is in fact anticipating a reduction of the budget and tax burden to taxpayers of more than $800,000. It is anticipated that approximately $11.6 million of the Capital Project would be funded with New York State Building Aid. The District also plans to use $3 million of funds already on hand to help pay for the project. The balance would be offset by the retirement of existing unaided debt that will be paid off by the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
“The current availability of State Building Aid combined with our ability to take advantage of retiring unaided debt is giving us the opportunity to protect our community’s investment in our schools while neutralizing the financial impact on taxpayers,” Brooks said.
“As a District, we take pride in keeping our students safe and preserving and improving our instructional facilities, and this project will allow us to do just that.”
The proposed project includes upgrades and repairs to all three of the District’s school buildings. Several enhancements would be made to improve safety and security, including a redesign of all main entrances to provide a secure area for visitors to be screened before being granted access to the school. The project also calls for the renovation or expansion of several learning spaces and support areas to enhance student programs and maintain high-quality school environments.
More information about the Vision 2020 Capital Project is available on the District’s website, www.marlboroschools.org. Further information will also be mailed to District residents in the coming weeks. The public will be asked to weigh in on the proposed project on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the Town of Marlborough Community Meeting Room, located at 21 Milton Turnpike in Milton.