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From: March, Kevin
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 2:21 PM
To: 'opinion@dailygazette.com'
Subject: School Budget Votes 10/16/07


For your opinion page.

It is very important that all the people today of Rotterdam get out and vote.  For both Mohonasen and Schalmont, we have votes to upgrade our schools on Tuesday.  

Please remember that at Schalmont, we already went to the polls 7 years ago because the School Board saw that it was necessary to build on to the Middle School, almost doubling the size of the school, adding a new gymnasium onto the High School and various other projects.  

At that time, they did not look ahead to the issues that they are asking you to go and vote to approve them to spend more money out of your pocket.  Would building onto a school increase the price of heating the school over the year?  Well, I would say that every year since I can remember, the school year has run through the winter.  They couldn't have thought about this 7 years ago?  So, when this bond is in the middle of being paid off by the Schalmont residents, what ELSE are they going to find that needs to be fixed that they want us to come out and vote to give them more of our paychecks?

It's time to start reigning in the costs at the school.  I say take the money that has been promised to you via the state, since this is tax money that has already been taken from us.  Fix what you can with that.  Let's not take more money from the residents.  We already pay enough.

The school says that for a $100,000 home, this will "only cost" you another $3.50.  That is on top of the $1700 you're already paying.  So. what's another drop in the bucket?  Maybe this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Kevin March
Rotterdam

Please feel free to post my e-mail address as part of the letter.

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ROTTERDAM
Voters to weigh in on major school projects
Mohonasen, Schalmont: Work must be done
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   School officials from the Mohonasen and Schalmont districts are hoping voters will head to the polls today with preventive maintenance on their minds.
   Both districts are conducting referenda for projects largely funded through the state’s EXCEL aid. Schalmont’s planned $9.7 million capital project will require a 28 percent contribution from taxpayers; Mohonasen’s $21.8 million project will require no additional tax levy.
   The work must be done, offi cials from each district said.
   Waiting any longer on the improvements could end up costing taxpayers even more in the future, said Schalmont Superintendent Valerie Kelsey.
   “It’s things that need to be done,” she said. “It’s better to deal with it under a plan than deal with it in a crisis situation.”
   In Schalmont big-ticket improvements include $3.1 million to replace the high school’s original classroom heating and ventilation system, which is now more than 50 years old. Other large items include $1.4 million to replace windows and $1.06 million to install smaller, more efficient boilers.
   The high school’s bathrooms would be updated under the project, which allocates $150,000 to bring them up to modern standards. The project also proposes a $467,000 reconstruction of the cafeteria.
   Kelsey said the overall impact on taxpayers would be around 3.4 cents per $1,000 of property value. Schalmont residents owning a $100,000 property and with a tax bill of $1,700 would pay an additional $3.40 per year, reflecting a 0.2 percent increase.
   “We’re hoping people see this is a good solid project and they’ll be supportive,” she said.
   In the Mohonasen district, school officials plan to use $1.09 million received this year in state EXCEL aid as the local share of the building project. The project would be covered under an existing 95 percent building aid formula through the state, which would allow the district to spend up to $21 million.
   “For us, the EXCEL vote is at no cost to taxpayers,” said Superintendent Kathleen Spring. “If it doesn’t get approved in this bond referendum, at some point there will be a cost.”
   The project proposes a new fi ne arts wing near the Farnsworth Technology Center, creating three art rooms, one classroom and an art gallery. The Draper Middle School would receive a new roof.
   Schalmont residents can cast their votes between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. outside the high school gymnasium. Mohonasen residents can vote between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the high school gym.  

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ROTTERDAM
Mohonasen, Schalmont OK rehab projects
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net

   Mohonasen and Schalmont voters passed school district referenda Tuesday to finance capital projects to improve school facilities.
   Schalmont voters narrowly approved a $9.7 million project by 445 to 386. The project will require a 28 percent contribution from taxpayers, something that was commented on as voters left the polls.
   Superintendent Valerie Kelsey said a number of residents were vocal about their dismay over apparent increases in their school taxes. She said some people indicated they voted against the proposal because of the town-wide revaluation.
   “For sure, people did express that they had voted no because of the reval,” she said. “That was very clear at the exit polls.”
   In contrast, Mohonasen voters strongly approved a $21.8 million project requiring no additional tax levy. Voters approved the referendum 1,369 in favor and 160 against, district officials said.
   Superintendent Kathleen Spring said she was surprised by the level of people who turned out, but not necessarily by the results. She said the district made it clear to voters the need for the improvements.
   “We really made an effort to get people out to vote,” she said. “People were saying at no cost, we need to do this.”
   The cost of Mohonasen’s project was offset by $1.09 million the district received this year in state EXCEL aid, which will be used as the local share of the building cost. The project is also covered under an existing 95 percent building aid formula through the state, allowing the district to spend up to $21 million.
   In addition to various infrastructure improvements throughout the district, the Mohonasen project will add a new fine arts wing near the Farnsworth Technology Center, creating three art rooms, one classroom and an art gallery. The Draper Middle School will also receive a new roof.
   Schalmont’s project also makes use of state EXCEL and building aid, as well as the rental income generated from the former Schonowe school. The anticipated impact on the tax levy is 0.2 percent starting during the 2009-2010 school year.
   Schalmont’s big-ticket improvements include $3.1 million to replace the high school’s original classroom heating and ventilation system, which is now more than 50 years old. Other large items include $1.4 million to replace windows and $1.06 million to install smaller, more efficient boilers.
   The high school’s bathrooms would be updated under the project, which allocates $150,000 to bring them up to modern standards. The project also proposes a $467,000 reconstruction of the cafeteria.
   “We greatly appreciate the support of our community,” Kelsey said of the vote.