WKTV reported our "no" vote Dec 15, but somehow missed us on April 4th. Your previous article is on wktv.com.
The people don't want the school to borrow for things we don't need. The school published roof repair/replacement cost estimates totaling $394,500 on the Jan 17 revised list for a big capital project. We have $1.5 million in reserve, more than enough to replace the roof at their estimate. They told us they estimate high. The roof is the building's most urgent need. Now the school board is trying to tell us it's illegal to fix the roof without a capital project, and further that we can't do that without borrowing millions. They blame state mandates.
They tell us the state is handing out free money and we should just take it. We voters don't believe in free money. Tax and spend is not working out for NY state either. The roof replacement is being held back in order to spend millions in a big capital project, with big borrowing and issuance of school bonds for investors. That same list of cost estimates shows closing costs on the loans at $325,000, and doesn't show us any anticipated interest payments.
Richfield Springs school is too big. Since the giant addition we have empty rooms to maintain, for a declining enrollment. We are getting all kinds of internet technology here, that in any normal business is replacing bricks and mortor.
This school is trying to branch out into all kinds of community engagement. We want them to focus on educating our students, instead. It is not the school's priority to become the face of the community. We have our churches, our village, our town, and many other fine institutions to handle our community.
We want to fix roof, and pay down the debt we owe on three previous projects before spending for all the bells and whistles.
