Today, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, registered voters in the Edgemont Union Free School District will have the opportunity to vote on the “Building Dreams” capital improvement bond. The vote will take place at Edgemont Junior Senior High School between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The $62,071,470 proposal is $7 million less than the May 2024 proposal and offers a smaller, streamlined scope. Needs such as schools’ vehicular access roads and parking will be addressed in the future after additional strategizing with the community. With an approved project, New York State will provide financial aid to offset the financial burden on taxpayers. The District currently is aided at 45% of the approved expenses associated with capital projects. The bond’s anticipated tax impact is an average net increase of $520 in school taxes for every $1 million of assessed property value, beginning in the 2025-2026 school tax year.
Capital Improvements
If approved, improvements would begin in phases in winter 2025 and conclude in fall/winter 2027:
- – Classroom, office and teacher work-room renovations.
- – Safety and security upgrades.
- – Dedicated STEAM classrooms.
- – Air conditioning installation and upgrades.
- – Athletic field improvements and upgrades.
- – Cafeteria and kitchen renovations and additions.
- – Emergency vehicle-access improvements.
Spending Allocations
- – Edgemont Junior-Senior High School projects: $40,415,000.
- – Greenville Elementary School projects: $9,950,000.
- – Seely Place Elementary School projects: $6,425,000.
- – Cost escalation for projects completed in 2026 and beyond: $5,281,470.
Two Distinct Ballot Propositions
Voters have the opportunity to consider two unrelated propositions today:
- – The capital improvement plan funding.
- – Authorizing use of up to $500,000 from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund, which was created to advance a range of ongoing improvements. This additional funding will supplement a budgetary allocation and a generous Edgemont School Foundation donation to renovate Edgemont Junior Senior High School’s Auditorium. This proposition is not related to the bond and has no tax implications.
To learn more about the proposal, please visit https://sites.google.com/edgemont.org/bond2024/edgemont-bond-2024.
