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Though $8.9 million seems like an overwhelming number, the actual cost for residents of the school district in Ballston Spa, Charlton, Milton and Malta will be only $3.35 per year, starting in 2016. That number is the projected net tax impact on the average home assessed at $220,000.
The referendum will fund Phase Two of the district’s facilities master plan—Phase One, which was approved in October 2010, is already in motion and consists of constructing a new elementary school building to replace the current Milton Terrace South Elementary School and adding significant infrastructure, energy efficiency and health and safety improvements at Malta Avenue, Milton Terrace North and Ballston Spa Middle School. Dr. Dragone said Phase One is currently on schedule and even ahead of schedule in certain areas of the project, as well as on budget.
Phase Two, which will be voted on by residents December 4, will mainly focus on renovations and mechanical work at Wood Road Elementary School. Dr. Dragone said the school is the only one in the district with no improvements made, even though it was built in the 1970s. Renovations include closing in the current open classrooms; asbestos abatement; renovating bathrooms for handicapped accessibility; replacing carpets with flooring; upgrading boilers and hot water generators; repairing and upgrading mechanical systems; upgrading electrical systems and replacing the gym floor.
Phase Two will also improve the athletics facilities at Ballston Spa High School. The tennis courts and the track currently have deep cracks throughout, so plans are being made to strip the entire surfaces to make asphalt repairs to the base. After the stripping, a new lining, surface and striping will be applied to the courts and track.
The mechanical systems in the pool have also reached their lifespan, so the dehumidification unit and the filter will be replaced.
Finally, Phase Two will provide scoreboards at the varsity soccer/lacrosse field, baseball field and softball field.
If approved, all renovations of Phase Two would begin the summer of 2014 and is estimated to be completed by January of 2017.
Qualified voters of the Ballston Spa Central School District will hold a vote December 4 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the Ballston Spa High School (for residents of Ballston, Milton, and Charlton) and the Malta Town Hall (for Malta residents). The issue will appear on the ballot as Proposition No. 1: Facilities Improvement Bond.
For more information on the Facilities Improvement Bond Referendum, visit the school district’s website at www.bscsd.org or give the district office a call at (518) 884-7195.
