BUILDING WORK –  BARE BONES:  Of the $31.2 million of building work that the Board supported in June, $22.1 million is critical to keep our buildings open and operating safely.  Because this portion of the work cannot be delayed, we are not asking for your input.

Bare Bones - $22.1 million.  These are the most critical projects needed to keep our buildings open and operating safely, including a boiler and distribution system and windows at Hommocks, a boiler at Central and roof work throughout the district. The boilers are more than 40 years old and are past their expected life. Note that if a boiler were to fail, we would have to close the school until emergency measures could be taken to restore heat. The community would not only need to pay more money to repair the boiler on an emergency basis, but would also inevitably need to replace the boiler anyway. The windows at Hommocks are plate glass or plexiglass with little to no seal remaining. New windows and boilers would provide some payback in energy efficiency.  Replacing them at a later date would be at a higher cost to taxpayers.  Roof work throughout the district is needed to prevent water infiltration to the buildings, deterioration of walls and increased levels of mold and other allergens.

BUILDING WORK – OTHER ESSENTIAL BUILDING WORK:  $9.1 million

Other Essential Building Work - $9.1 million.  All of these projects are considered necessary for the structural soundness of our buildings and the safety of our students.  While it may be possible to delay them for a little while, this work cannot be postponed for long.  Delaying them would likely result in a bond at a later date and higher costs to the taxpayers due to continued deterioration of the buildings and inflation.  Includes: repairing brickwork and other exterior preservation work; fire alarm systems, asbestos abatement and other safety and code compliance items; and electrical and bathroom work.
 

PLAYGROUND SURFACE AND DRAINAGE WORK – a total of $1.3 million for work at Chatsworth and Murray to address safety and drainage issues.   

This plan addresses the need for more playing fields that was identified more than eight years ago.  It enables one field to be added to District property without moving the Kemper Memorial.  The new fields and track would be open to community use when not being used by District programs. The main components are described below:

Memorial Field ($4.2MM): The football field would be reoriented, and a regulation track added around the field.  Capacity would be further increased by using a non-crumb rubber artificial turf surface and the addition of lights.

Manchester Field ($2.8MM): The track would be removed from the baseball field, and the baseball field shifted, making room for an additional field.  Capacity would be further increased by using a non-crumb rubber artificial turf surface and the addition of lights. Note:  Manchester cannot be done without first doing Memorial because it removes the track.

Central Field ($0.7MM):  This field is one of the most heavily used fields in the community.  Excessive use has resulted in frequently occurring holes that pose safety hazards and have caused the field to be closed for safety reasons. A non-crumb rubber artificial turf surface would be installed.

In addition, the proposal includes $0.4MM to expand the capacity of the high school’s Post Rd. parking lot and $0.1MM for work on Central’s parking and access.