SPECIAL NEWSLETTER - PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECT July 2016

PORT BYRON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dear Friends,

New York state provides school districts the opportunity to develop building projects every five years based on a building condition report performed by a certified architect. The report evaluates the condition of the district facility and its programmatic needs. Port Byron’s buildings and grounds were last evaluated in 2015.

At Port Byron, we look for three goals when developing building projects. The first one is to ensure there will be no local cost to taxpayers. We have an extremely high State Aid ratio for building projects. We take advantage of this aid and create capital reserve accounts to make up for the local share. The second part is to complete expansive maintenance work to the facility and buildings that will reduce annual costs, and, lastly, we want to enhance the district’s facility so that it’s a community center and asset beyond the school day.

The proposed project meets these three goals. It has no local cost to taxpayers. Your property taxes will not increase due to this project. The project has a long list of work that will repair aging or outdated plumbing, electrical and equipment. In addition,

we will eliminate the asbestos flooring in A.A. Gates Elementary School, convert to LED lighting throughout the facility and connect our boilers and fans to a new control system.

The lighting and new control system will save the district thousands of dollars each year, with the LED lighting conversion expected to save $30-35,000.

The project also aims to make the facility an even greater community asset. We will add generators so that not only can the district operate when a power outage occurs, but the facility will become a true Red Cross shelter in the event of an emergency.

The project also proposes renovating the athletic fields and increasing parking capacity for

DISTRICT OFFICE: Reconfigure office entrance to enhance safety and security measures.

BUS GARAGE: Reconfigure facilty layout and add a second vehicle maintenance bay.

DISTRICT WIDE: Update elevators, convert light fixtures to energy efficient lighting, install a generator that in the event of an emergency can power all of the district’s facilities, replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units that are that are 15 years old or older, and install an energy management system that will monitor, optimize and control the district’s energy usage.

A.A. GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Abate remaining asbestos flooring and ceiling tiles, upgrade gymnasium and some restrooms, and replace classroom cubbies.

DANA L. WEST JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH: Replace existing 12-inch lockers with 15-inch lockers.

ATHLETIC FIELDS AND SURROUNDING PARKING AREAS: An overhaul to the district’s sports complex will replace fields and facilities that have reached the end of their useful life and reconfigure fields, seating, restrooms and parking areas so they are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.

The complex's natural grass football field will be converted to a multi-sport turf field equipped with adequate lighting that would allow for all-weather and evening use.

Vote on Thursday, August 25, 2016Polls will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Port Byron Central School District’s

Athletic Center Lobby

Residents to vote on proposed capital projectPort Byron Central School District Superintendent Neil O'Brien discusses the project in the following letter to the community.

NO TAXPAYER IMPACT

Please see “Project” on Page 2

CAPITAL PROJECT at-a-glance

Proposed Project Financing

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Proposed project includes renovating, reconfiguring sports complex

events. Athletic Drive will expand to the auditorium entrance and a new all-purpose facility featuring an all-weather synthetic turf field will be constructed. The facility could host football, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse and track and field events. Savings from switching to a maintenance-free playing surface, along with hosting

sectional games will produce annual gains to our school budget.

Community members are invited to learn more about the project during upcoming town meetings. Please see the back of this newsletter for meeting information; it is also posted on the district’s website, www.pbcschools.org. The district welcomes your feedback on the

proposed project and I encourage you to contact me with any questions you may have.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed project 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 25 in the district's Athletic Center lobby.

Neil O'BrienSuperintendent of Schools

The first aerial image below features the current layout of Port Byron Central School District's athletic complex. The second image is an architect's rendering of the complex included in the district's proposed capital project that will go before voters on Aug. 25.

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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQsQ Why is the district having a

referendum vote?

A Port Byron Central School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment and well-maintained facilities for students, staff and the community. Just as a home ages and needs repairs, so do our schools.

Many routine repairs and projects are funded within the annual district budget, with local taxpayers bearing the full cost. Large repairs and improvements, such as those included in this project, would have a major impact on the tax rate if included in the district budget.

A bond issue is a fiscally responsible alternative, because the state reimburses a percentage of the cost and the expense is spread out over a longer period of time.

Q Why is this work needed?

A Every five years, school districts are required to have a certified architect review and report the condition of their buildings and grounds.

Last year, Port Byron’s architectural consultant examined the district’s facilities and identified any potential issues and academic program enhancements. The district studied those items and developed a recommended list of the most prudent areas of facilities improvement. These items address health and safety, security, energy efficiency, athletic program enhancements, and common area improvements.

Q How were the project’s components chosen?

A The district is following the three guiding principles:

1. It shall not increase the tax levy. The district is committed to financing capital projects using state funds and its capital reserve account. The district does not want to ask the residents to shoulder a greater tax burden, therefore the project was prioritized to address necessary maintenance and safety issues before looking at upgrades in facility and programming.

2. The project must offer chances for the district to lower its costs in the annual budget by finding ways to do things more efficiently or for the district to produce revenue.

3. Programming considerations must offer the community greater opportunities to use the facilities and improve opportunities for students.

Q If approved, when would work begin?

A It’s expected that the State Education Department’s (SED) approval for the project will be received by early 2018, with the bulk of work expected to start that summer. It is anticipated that the project will be completed during the fall of 2019, whioh would pose minimal impact on students, staff and academic instruction.

Q What is the total cost of this proposed project and how can it have no tax impact?

A The total cost of the project is $13 million dollars. The project will be paid for by a combination of State Aid funding, energy efficiency funding and the district’s capital reserves.

Q Isn’t State Aid just my tax dollars, too?

A New York state legislature has given all districts across the state an opportunity to use tax dollars to enhance their communities through school building improvements. This is an opportunity to keep some of those tax dollars within the community.

Q What if the referendum does not pass?

A The building maintenance and renovations included in this project are necessary, according to the Building Conditions Survey. If the project is not approved by voters, the bulk of the project would have to be done without the benefit of State Aid funding.

Q Where can I find out more about the capital project proposal?

A Community meetings have been scheduled for early August. The times, dates and locations are listed on the back page of this newsletter. The meetings will feature a project discussion and an open forum.

Information about the proposed project is also available on the district’s website, www.pbcschools.org.

Non-Profit Permit #2U.S. Paid PostagePaidPort Byron, N.Y. 13140

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Port Byron Central School District30 Maple AvenuePort Byron, NY 13140

Neil F. O’Brien - Superintendent

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Joseph Verdi, PresidentMelinda Quanbeck, Vice PresidentLawrence AbrahamChristopher RecckioRoger SevillaBenjamin VitaleRobert Ware

Janet Tamilio, District Clerk

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Please Vote!Thursday,

August 25, 20169 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Port Byron Central School District's

Athletic Center Lobby

Follow Us!

Find Port Byron CSD on Facebook: facebook.com/PortByronCSD

and on Twitter:@PortByronCSD@AAGatesPBCS

Voter qualificationsAll voters must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a district

resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

No pre-registration is required, but personal identification/proof of residency is required (e.g. driver’s license with current address, utility bill showing resident’s name and current address.)

Residents will not be allowed to vote without proper identification.

Absentee ballotsAbsentee ballots are available to residents who will be out of town or unable to

vote in person on August 25 due to illness or disability.

Ballots are available be obtainable between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, from the District Clerk.

Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. prevailing time, on Thursday, August 25, 2016.

Community MeetingsLearn more about the proposed project during the following public meetings:

Monday, August 15, 2016 at 6 p.m. - Montezuma Town Hall Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 5 p.m. - Mentz Town Hall

Wednesday, August 17 , 2016 at 6 p.m. - Conquest Town Hall Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 6 p.m. - Throop Town Hall