Haverling rolls out $18 million building project
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

Last week's informational meeting at Haverling High School included architectural drawings of the district's proposed $18 million capital project. A second informational meeting will be held at 7:30 Dec. 12.

BATH - Haverling school officials last week opened the district's proposed $18-million capital project to public comment, with about 20 district residents and 10 students attending an informational session in the high school auditorium.

"The timing is good on this," school Superintendent Marion Tunney said of the project, which would qualify for a nearly 94-percent reimbursement through state building aid, plus a one-time cash infusion through the state's EXCEL program.

District officials have calculated the $18-million project would add 80 cents to the annual school tax bill of a property valued at $50,000 and qualifying for New York's basic STAR exemption. The project would have no impact on the tax bill of a senior citizen with a $50,000 property and full STAR exemption.

The project calls for an array of renovations and improvements to the primary, elementary, middle and high schools, including:

• Enhanced electronic security measures

• Improved electronic data infrastructure

• Additional "smart boards" for classrooms

• Larger 5th and 6th grade classrooms

• New roofing

• Improved rigging and sound and light systems in the high school auditorium

• Renovations to the high school cafeteria to accommodate larger shifts of students

• Upgraded boys' and girls' locker rooms.

A separate proposition would authorize the school district to spend $1 million to purchase artificial turf for the high school football field and equipment to maintain the turf. That proposition, however, is contingent on passage of the primary $18 million project, Tunney said.

Approved together, the two propositions would create the following tax impacts:

• One dollar per year for a $50,000 property covered by the basic STAR exemption

• No impact for a $50,000 property covered by the full STAR exemption.

District residents expressed a variety of concerns during a half-hour period following the district's one-hour presentation. Those concerns included:

• Plans to purchase five half-acre properties for a total of $50,000 near the soccer field to accommodate more parking. Several residents questioned whether the additional space was needed.

• Additional operational costs stemming from the renovations. A Hunt Engineers representative said the additional costs would be "very inconsequential."

• Possible overcrowding of the high school cafeteria, where some students already are forced to eat quickly due to long lines. Tunney said high school officials will study ways to reduce the congestion.

• Whether the renovations are mandated by the state, or recommended by the Haverling school board. School officials responded the state mandates only a building condition survey and a five-year plan for implementing recommendations based on that survey. The specifics of the survey and plan are at the discretion of the local school board.

"You may not agree with every single thing that is in this project," Tunney said. But, referring to the one-time state reimbursement ratio, she added: "I think it's a good deal."

The district will hold an additional information meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in the high school auditorium. The public referendum will be from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 18.