Prattsburgh school district readies capital project vote

PRATTSBURGH - Prattsburgh school district residents are to vote on a $2.4 million capital project Nov. 26.

The school district has proposed a range of improvements that officials say will have a minimal impact on local taxpayers. This would be accomplished by applying state building aid to meet 90 percent of the costs and applying $375,880 ($788 per student) in EXCEL grant funds to meet the balance of the project costs. It is probable that the actual costs to the district would be zero.

The main items being considered in this project are:

 Increasing security systems at all three buildings

 Eliminating the moisture issue in the first floor of the 1924 area of the main building (Remove underground moisture that is entering the substructure of the building)

 Replacing boilers, pumps, unit ventilators, piping, and converters in the main building (This equipment is in excess of 33 years old and requires constant maintenance. Upgrades would provide significant energy and maintenance savings)

 Upgrading the energy control systems in the 1924 and 1956 areas of the main building and in the agriculture building (This equipment is in excess of 33 years old and is inefficient. Upgrades would provide significant energy and maintenance savings)

 Repairing walls, floors, and ceilings in areas where needed

 Upgrading lighting (In areas where new lights would conserve energy)

 Improving water tempering and plumbing fixtures in the main building

 Upgrading the school telephone and intercom system (The current system is in excess of 25 years old and requires constant maintenance)

 Replacing the metal mansard on the auxiliary building (Solidify building shell and improve insulation value)

 Improving the concrete exterior entrances at main building loading dock and computer lab (Stairs and railings are in excess of fifty years old and are deteriorating)

The project has been designed so at least 97 percent of the cost would be covered by a combination of state building aid and the state EXCEL Grant. In addition, there would be significant savings in energy and service costs as a result of these improvements.

Since much of this work is necessary in the next three years in order to prevent deterioration and costly repairs to the building and the mechanical systems, officials say it makes fiscal sense to take advantage of the state funding available rather than perform this work with local tax dollars.

The purpose of the state EXCEL grant is to assist school districts in maintaining the infrastructure of their facilities. The funds must be used on existing health and safety issues, handicap accessibility, technology infrastructure needs, and energy systems improvements.