Fort Ann school officials want $3.7 million to improve site, upgrade facilities – Glens Falls Post-Star

FORT ANN Residents of Fort Ann school district will vote in September on a nearly $3.7 million capital project to replace and reconstruct roofs, improve parking lots, relocate and upgrade the fitness room and create a new 21st Century Learning Center.

The school board on Friday approved setting a Sept. 19 referendum for the $3.69 million project. The polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m.

Much of the work was identified by Mosaic Associates Architects in the five-year building conditions survey it prepared for the district, which has about 475 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Big-ticket items include about $300,000 to repave and improve the main parking area and bus loop and $183,000 to improve drainage and pave the rear parking lot.

School officials also want to transform a classroom into what they are calling a 21st Century Learning Center, which would include a collaborative learning area, MakerSpace area where students can do hands-on projects, LED monitors, multiple whiteboards, reconfigurable furniture and storage and cabinets.

The project allocates $90,000 for a relocated fitness room, including space for yoga, a universal gym machine, treadmills, exercise bikes and a renovated bathroom.

Other projects include fixing water infiltration in the basement, replacing six electrical panels, replacing gym lighting and adding switching, upgrading the public address system, replacing hot water heaters, upgrading exit and emergency light systems and replacing gym doors and hardware and exterior doors.

The project also includes installation of a new auditorium sound system, reconstruction of the stage apron and air conditioning for the high school computer lab.

A number of upgrades would be made to the bus garage, including replacement of the roof, main furnace and air handling unit; installation of new siding and of a fuel tank leak detection monitor.

The district plans to tap $200,000 from fund balance. It would bond the remaining $3.49 million and receive state aid reimbursement of 76.1 percent.

School officials have said previously they have debt coming off the books that would be timed for this project. Superintendent Kevin Froats said there would be no additional tax impact from the project.

The capital project will protect the communitys long-term investment in its schools and bus garage, he said in an email.

People can apply for absentee ballots. Applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven days before the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter on or prior to Sept. 18 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Completed ballots must be returned to the clerk no later than 5 p.m. Sept. 19.

You can read Michael Goots blog, A Time to Learn, at http://www.poststar.com or his updates on Twitter @ps_education.

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Fort Ann school officials want $3.7 million to improve site, upgrade facilities - Glens Falls Post-Star