CLINTONVILLE -- AuSable Valley Central School officials hope voters approve a capital project that will take the district into the next 30-plus years.

On Nov. 14, they are putting before voters a project that would not cost taxpayers any extra money. The nearly $30 million project would be covered by traditional state aid and EXCEL aid, which is exclusively designed to offset the taxpayers' portion of capital-project construction costs.

"We have an obligation to put this out there," said Superintendent Paul Savage. "For us not to act on this aid out there would be short-sighted."

SPECIAL FUNDS

Last year, the School District received $1,032,697 from the state in its final budget.

"At the time, most districts didn't know what that was," Savage said. "It was listed as EXCEL funding."

He learned the money was targeted to address major areas within capital projects, such as educational technology, health and safety, accessibility, physical capacity and energy efficiency.

"The aid is set up to offset the taxpayer portion of the project."

Savage said it was important for school officials, in reviewing potential capital projects, to form a proposal that would meet the needs of taxpayers and have no tax impact in terms of construction costs.

"We were very fortunate to get this, and it is an opportunity to make some improvements."

The project totals $29,850,000, of which an estimated $28,817,303 will be covered by traditional state aid and the remaining $1,032,697 by EXCEL aid.

AUSABLE FORKS SCHOOL

At AuSable Forks Elementary School, project work includes additional classrooms for pre-K and special education, a new stage, health and safety items, new gym seating and scoreboard, security upgrades, classroom renovations, emergency generators, technology upgrades, improved parent dropoff, library renovations with natural lighting, kitchen upgrades, floor finish upgrades and mechanical and electrical upgrades.

"We are looking at universal pre-K programs and special-education programs and need space," Savage said. "We are just strapped."

KEESEVILLE ELEMENTARY