Gilboa-Conesville CSD

The 2024 Capital Project is focused on enhancing our district facilities with a focus on safety, accessibility and improved functionality for our students, staff and community. This project addresses critical upgrades across both our bus garage and education building/site to ensure our school facilities continue to meet the needs of our community. 

Bus Garage

• Large Parking Lot Replacement
• Office & Conference Room Ventilation

Education Building/Site

• Gymnatorium– paint and acoustic improvements
• Modify secured entrance transaction window
• Exterior door replacement full building
• 1923 Building Locker Replacement
• Electric distribution in wood shop improvements
• Provide ADA connection between 1993 and 1929 building
• Septic system improvements (inside and outside of building)
• New Parking lot in current location of house.
• Pavement modification at Elementary
• Catch Basin Replacement at lower bus loop -
• Repair stairs west of high school
• Pavement at elementary on street parking
• Add curb to south side of Wyckoff
• Retaining wall replacement at gym loop
• Handrail and stair repair at gym loop
• Main entrance bollards
• Exterior Speaker Improvement

Alternative Scope Items

• Roof Overlay on all buildings except 1929 building
• Playground Equipment Replacement
• Gymnatorium- Cooling

Why is Gilboa-Conesville CSD considering a Capital Project at this time?

The Gilboa-Conesville School District is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment and well-maintained facilities for our students, faculty/staff, and community. Just as one’s own home ages and requires upkeep and repairs to keep it in good shape, so do our school buildings. 

Smaller routine repairs and maintenance projects can be funded through the district’s general fund as part of the annual school district budget. However, larger projects and capital priorities are typically too expensive to be funded through the annual school district budget. By funding these projects as part of a Capital Project, not only does it allow the district to spread the expense out over a longer period of time and fund projects it would not otherwise be able to accomplish, but it also allows the district to fund this work in large part through New York State Education Department Building Aid with far less impact on local taxpayers.

What is our rate of Building Aid for a Capital Project?

For GCCSD, our Building Aid ratio is 47%.  This means that for every dollar we spend on aidable work through a Capital Project, we receive 47 cents back to the district in Building Aid. 

How does this project benefit our students?

One of our values as a district is to provide a safe, nurturing and positive learning environment. Our facilities need to be upgraded to keep our students as safe as possible within our learning environment.  We also want to meet the needs of all students supporting them as they achieve their academic and personal potential as. It also helps create an environment where they can effectively demonstrate their skills and abilities at a high level.  As our mission statement reads, these kinds of improvements help our students be responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

How does this project benefit our community?

Our school district’s facilities are a reflection of our educational program. Upgrading our facilities helps us protect and increase property values while enhancing marketability to attract future homeowners. Not only can the proposed project be completed for a fraction of the actual cost, but it also has the potential to improve property values by improving the overall condition of our school buildings and the appeal of our community.

How were the components of the project selected?

Every five years, all school districts must have a registered Architect and Engineer evaluate the condition of their buildings and grounds. This is called a Building Condition Survey (BCS). The survey identifies areas where work is needed or mandated by current building and energy codes. Hunt Architecture assisted our district with this process over the past year and included discussions with our administration, Business Office, District Office, and Board of Education. We also shared information during Public Comment at previous Board of Education regularly scheduled meetings.  

After studying the BCS and the feedback from the architects, our district developed a plan to address these focus areas:

• ​Maintenance items (ie: Roofs, Mechanical, Electrical, Parking lots, Retaining walls)

• Improve ADA compliance throughout the district

• Playground improvements​

• Cooling system upgrades​

What is the current cost of the Project?

$7,895,000

How is the project being paid for?

State Aid, Capital Reserve Funds and Retiring Debt Service

What is the monetary impact to tax payers?

$0 (Zero)

Why doesn’t GCCSD use these funds to maintain our staff or programs?

Under New York State law, the district cannot borrow money to fund personnel or other operational costs. However, money can be borrowed to invest in the modernization and improvement of learning spaces that better support students, faculty/staff, and the community.

Can we wait to address the items included in the 2024 proposed GCCSD Capital Project?

Based on our Building Condition Survey (BCS) performed by Hunt Archetecture, delaying the work proposed in the 2024 Capital Project would result in further deterioration of items that require immediate attention or replacement.  We are following the recommendation from Hunt Archetechture who used their expertise in this area to provide solid recommendations for the greater good of the district and all involved.

Why is a community vote needed?

To proceed with the project, we must get voter approval.  It is essential that the community come out to vote so that we can both achieve a majority approval and also so we know that we are moving forward with a vote that is representative of our community.

When and where will the vote be held? Who can vote? Are Absentee ballots available?

We will hold the vote on December 17th,  2024 in our Auditorium from 12:00-8:00 pm.

People who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and have been residents of the District for at least 30 days before the vote are eligible.

All eligible voters are entitled to an absentee ballot.  You are an eligible voter if you are 1) a U.S. citizen, 2) eighteen years of age or older, 3) a resident of the school district for at least 30 days before the vote, 4) and not otherwise disqualified to vote by law.  The District Clerk shall mail absentee ballots to registered voters.  Applications for absentee ballots may also be applied for at the office of the District Office.  Such applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the vote set in this notice if the ballot is to be mailed to the absentee voter or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the absentee voter.  Absentee ballots must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the District not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

What guarantee is there that construction costs do not exceed the propostition amounts?

School districts throughout New York are required by law not to exceed the proposition amounts approved by voters.   Construction escalation is factored into the project budget and as phases are bid out and constructed, scope and bid acceptance decisions are made accordingly.