Questions and Answers
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Why is the District proposing a capital project now?
The Orchard Park Central School District is proposing the current project to meet the needs determined by the current condition of our buildings, to ensure our facilities are inclusive for all students and ensure our facilities are safe for our students, staff, and community members. It is crucial that this project is done now as this project will prepare the district to meet future needs by:
- Providing new pre-K classrooms
- Providing additional classrooms
- Enhancing existing classrooms
- Adding and updating music rooms
- Creating additional physical education and athletic instructional areas
- Replacing the current high school pool
What is the total cost of this proposed project and how will it affect my taxes?
The total cost of the capital project is $114 million. The project's cost would be funded by a combination of the District's Capital Reserve and serial bonds. When paying back the bonds over a 15 year period, we will be receiving NY State Building Aid that will pay for the majority of principal and interest payments. We have retiring debt service starting in 2022-23 which continues to decline over the life of this project. There will only be four years, from 2028-29 to 2031-32, that the local share will need to be supplemented by available Debt Service Reserve funds to keep the impact on taxpayers level. This is a part of our financing plan. There will be no new tax levy increase due to this capital project.
How was the proposed capital project developed?
The Facilities Committee had a licensed architect perform a Building Condition Survey, a comprehensive facility review that considered work completed in previous projects and the conditions of all facilities. Additionally, they met with the administration and district committees to discuss instructional areas requiring attention and programmatic needs. The Facilities Committee then developed the current project's scope, delivery, timeline and financing in alignment with the District's long-range facilities plan.
How will the site work at the Middle School and South Davis campus impact the community and traffic?
In order to improve traffic congestion around our village schools, the district commissioned a traffic assessment as part of the project planning process. The analysis of this assessment can be found here. The new traffic pattern will allow for more ways to access the campus, which will decrease congestion and safety concerns on Thorn, S. Lincoln, S. Davis, and 20 A for automobile and for pedestrian traffic.
Will the community still be able to utilize the pavilion and the green space associated with the pavilion?
Yes. The site work on the South Davis/OPMS campus will enhance and improve the community's ability to use the space.
When will the work take place?
The project will be completed in four phases. It is anticipated that the first phase will begin in the spring of 2023 and the fourth phase is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2026.
What if the referendum does not pass?
The critical safety requirements and facilities that reached their end-of-life identified by the mandated Building Condition Survey would still be necessary. If the referendum does not pass, these requirements will still need to be addressed. A bond vote allows the District to receive partial reimbursement of the project's cost through State Building Aid. Without this aid, the funds for any required work would have to come from the annual budget, with local taxpayers bearing the full cost. This, more than likely, would lead to a tax levy increase.
Why is the District proposing a new turf field and new bleachers?
The Orchard Park High School turf field was put in in 2008. A turf field typically has a 15-year life span so the field is currently at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. The New York State Education Department is requiring that the bleachers be replaced as they are not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.