Fort Plain Central School District > Archive > Capital Project vote to be held Dec. 13

Capital Project vote to be held Dec. 13

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, the Fort Plain community will vote on a $18,655,000 capital improvement project. If approved, the project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces such as the outdoor playground and athletic facilities.

Every learner and community member or organization that uses our facilities will benefit from these improvements.

This project would be funded in part by the district’s capital reserves and with reimbursable bond borrowing at no additional impact on local taxpayers.

The vote will be held at Harry Hoag Elementary School (polling in the school library) on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Our teachers and school district leaders believe in the promise of education. We feel strongly about creating a learning environment that guarantees each student the opportunity to get what they need from us in order to pursue a life filled with success and enduring happiness,” said Fort Plain District Superintendent Lauren Crisman.

“In creating this project, we have been both fiscally responsible and purposeful about what needs to be done to build a more safe and enriching learning environment that will support students now and help prepare them for their futures.”

Zero tax impact with the use of reserves and bonding

Funding for the cost of this project will be paid for using the district’s reserve fund and bond borrowing (reimbursable through New York State Education Department/NYSED building aid) at no additional impact on local taxpayers.

Breakdown of funding for this project:

  • Proposed Capital Project Cost: $18,655,000
  • Total from Capital Reserve Fund: $2,780,000
  • Bond Borrowing: $15,875,000

Cost to taxpayers: No additional cost to taxpayers. Projections assume a zero tax levy impact.

Proposed project scope

This project contains both needed repairs to enhance the safety and usability of our facilities for all and improvements that will, most directly, impact the learning experience for students and the staff who support them. All items included in the project proposal are based on the recommendations of the district’s Building Condition Survey and additional stakeholder surveys.

The New York State Education Department requires schools to complete a Building Condition Survey every five years in collaboration with a licensed architect. The most recent survey identified a number of immediate repairs to improve the general conditions of our campus.

These and other enhancements, include, but are not limited to:

  • Renovations to the circa 1970 Grade 1-3 wing of Harry Hoag Elementary School.
  • Renovation/repurposing of the atrium and auditorium spaces at the Jr./Sr. High School.
  • Paving of access road to athletic fields and track/regrade ball field.
  • Resurfacing of the playground spaces at Harry Hoag Elementary School.
  • Repairs to the Jr./Sr. High School fitness room roof/ skylight, public address/alarm systems and heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) system.
  • Replacement of the Jr./Sr. High School kitchen walk-in cooler.
  • Repair the West Street stairs leading to the Jr./Sr. High School.
  • Upgrade the master clock systems for both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School.
  • Repairs and upgrades to wash bays and carbon monoxide system at the Bus Garage to improve safety and efficiency.

Project timeline

If approved, the design portion of this project work would begin in late winter/early spring 2024 with a goal of having bids for the work approved by late 2024. Planned renovations and construction would begin in 2025.

Voting information

The vote on this Capital Project, including the use of funds from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund to help pay for this project, will be held at Harry Hoag Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the school library.

To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the Fort Plain Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote and not otherwise ineligible.

Absentee ballots

Absentee ballots are available for the Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 Capital Project vote.

Absentee ballots will be issued upon request to residents who will be out of town or unable to vote at the polls due to illness or disability.

Request an absentee ballot by contacting District Clerk Becky Smith at 518-993-4000 ext. 1000.

Absentee ballots that are returned by mail must be received by the district clerk at least seven days before the vote – by Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots may be picked up and submitted in-person at our District Office until the day before the vote – Tuesday, Dec. 12 by 5 p.m.

Resources

View the presentation by Superintendent of Schools Lauren Crisman from the Nov. 15, 2023 public hearing on the Capital Improvement Project.  If you are unable to access this document or the information it contains, please contact our District Communications Office. 

View the legal notice on the Dec. 13. 2023 Capital Improvement Project vote.