Capital Project

Although the district has continued to make strong investments into its educational program, it has held off on major renovations and upgrades since our last bond, which was over 12 years ago. Although our buildings still provide safe learning environments, education has continued to evolve and many of our spaces need updates to meet today’s standards. The emergency repairs we have completed over time have helped to defer complete overhauls, until now, when many of our infrastructural systems have simply reached the end of their lifespans. For example, the boiler at Eastport dates to 1965 and the school’s original chalkboards are still in classrooms. By bonding the proposed projects together, we will be able to reimagine our facilities to address current realities and future demands in what the Board believes is a financially prudent manner. The proposal in this capital project bond referendum will address the critical infrastructural needs of our facilities, improve learning environments, resources for all students, and upgrade arts and athletic facilities.

A bond provides immediate funds for long-term capital projects, such as modernization of schools, completion of major building system updates and repairs. Unlike a regular budget, a bond is financed over a longer period of time, similar to a mortgage. The district pays off its bonds in an average of 15-20 years.

If approved by the community, each of the district’s school buildings will see considerable building improvements to both infrastructural and instructional spaces. The projects include significant security updates at the entrances of each of the elementary schools, enhancements to instructional spaces, including art, science, technology and libraries, and flooring, masonry and restroom updates to aid building efficiency. Additionally, the auditorium and theater spaces at the Junior-Senior High School will be updated to support the district’s robust arts program. Athletic spaces, including the outdoor fields, wrestling room, weight room, locker room and dance studio, will also be modified to benefit the needs of the district’s student-athletes of all ages. To address structural deficiencies, the asphalt shingle roof at the Junior-Senior High School will be replaced with a metal roof and mechanical updates will be made to address heating, air conditioning and ventilation challenges.

Capital improvements of this scale cannot be included in the operating budget without significantly impacting the tax levy. A bond spreads the cost out over a longer period of time, mitigating the annual tax impact and maximizing the use of New York State building aid, which for ESM is estimated to be about 72%. This means that the local cost of the project is cut almost to a third of the total cost of the project

The plan was conceptualized with input from the Facilities Advisory Committee and after careful analysis of the district’s five-year facilities plan. The District also received input from its Health, Safety and Security Committee and from community members during two special capital project forums.

The proposal will now be put before voters on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Polls will be open between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. in Board Room 1220 at Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School.

The district’s upcoming retiring debt, which was incurred from the construction of the Junior-Senior High School and Tuttle Avenue, presents an optimal opportunity for this project to be considered without significantly impacting the local tax burden. The new debt associated with the proposed bond will essentially replace the old debt. When coupled with the district’s 72% New York State Building Aid, it would allow the district to complete these much-needed, major renovations at a fraction of the total cost.

Due to a 72% building aid rate and retiring debt from previous bonds, there will only be a minimal tax increase in four of the 20 years of this bond. The annual impact on taxpayers will vary throughout the course of the bond based on the debt that is coming off the books. For some years, there will be no impact and in others there will be a slight increase or even a decrease. Below is a chart outlining the increase per $1,000 of the portion of a homeowner’s school taxes.

2022-2023: $0

2023-2024: $0

2024-2025: $1.10

2025-2026: $4.10

2026-2027: $4.10

2027-2028: $4.10

2028-2029: -$5.40 (DECREASE)

2029-2030: $0

2030-2031: $0

2031-2032: -$14.40 (DECREASE)

This means, for example, if your school tax portion of the tax bill is $7,000, the first increase you will see would be in the 2024-2025 school year and come to $0.64 per month.

No. By law, the district is prohibited from spending above the amount approved by voters.

If approved by the community, the proposed bond projects will be submitted to the New York State Education Department for its required approval. Pending that process, it is expected the projects will begin in two phases, starting June 2023 and May 2024. It is anticipated all projects would be completed by September 2025.

Additional information about the proposed project can be found on the district’s website, Eastport South Manor