Capital Projects Bond Vote
Thank you for your support!
Voters approve zero tax referendum
Port Jervis School District
residents approved the proposed
$1.85 million School Renovation
Project Referendum.
The vote tally was 497 yes; 129 no.
 Passage
of the referendum will allow the
district to use reserve funds to
replace the Middle School roof,
install a wireless network at the
High School and
make needed upgrades at other Port
Jervis schools. The capital project will be financed
entirely with state building aid and allocations from the
district capital reserve and fund balance accounts.
ARCHIVED STORIES
Zero tax referendum going before voters Dec. 13
Referendum newsletter
On December 13, the district will seek public approval to use reserve funds to
replace the Middle School roof and
make needed upgrades at other Port
Jervis schools. If approved, the
$1.85 million building renovation project would be financed
entirely with state building aid and allocations from the
district capital reserve and fund balance accounts.
The zero tax referendum would allow Port Jervis to replace the
leaking Middle School roof; make needed technology upgrades;
install an emergency generator at Hamilton Bicentennial
Elementary School; and address several long-term facilities
needs.
 The
deteriorating roof was identified recently as an urgent need by
Highland Associates, the architectural firm hired to evaluate
the structure and functionality of the Middle School building.
The roof, which is 10 years past its life expectancy, has
cracked in several spots. Previously repaired sections are
starting to leak.
Board of Education President William Onofry stressed the
importance of replacing the roof, while the district explores
viable solutions
to the school’s long-term building needs. “Whatever course the
school district takes regarding potential renovation or
construction will take at least five years,” he said. “The
Middle School roof needs to be replaced to maintain the
integrity of the building and ensure
the health and safety of our students and staff.”
Click here
to see Record NewsWatch interview of BOE President Bill Onofry.
Click here to watch the report
on cable news station YNN.
District putting
zero tax school renovation referendum before voters December 13
POSTED: OCTOBER 20, 2011
The Board of Education voted unanimously Oct. 18 to seek the
community’s approval to use reserve funds to replace the Middle
School roof and make needed upgrades at other Port Jervis
schools.
The Board also established a facility review committee,
comprised of board members and district administrators, to
explore viable solutions to the Middle School’s long-term
building needs.
Building Referendum details
 The $1.85 million building
renovation referendum – which would be financed entirely by
state building aid and allocations from the district capital
reserve and fund balance accounts –
will be put before voters Tuesday, Dec. 13.
If approved, the
referendum would allow the district to
•
replace the leaking Middle
School roof;
•
upgrade technology at both
elementary schools and
Port Jervis High School;
•
add air conditioning to the
ASK Elementary School cafeteria;
•
install an emergency
generator at Hamilton Bicentennial
Elementary School;
•
continue ongoing efforts to
renovate antiquated school bathrooms.
The deteriorating roof was the most urgent need identified by
Highland Associates, the architectural firm hired by the
district to evaluate the structure and functionality of the
89-year-old Middle School building. The roof, which is 10 years
past its warranty, has cracked in several spots. Sections that
were repaired are starting to leak.
Middle School Building Assessment
In a report to the Board, Highland director Donald Kalina said
an extensive building assessment revealed other significant
problems ranging from warped floors and inefficient utility
systems to undersized classrooms and security concerns. He noted
that, while the three-story building is structurally sound, “The
Middle School is deficient in regards to today’s educational
standards.”
The problem is created by the overall layout of the building,
which was designed to meet the educational needs of the early
1920’s. The classrooms are small with inadequate lighting, poor
ventilation and sagging ceilings. Most are considered
sub-standard because they do not meet the New York State
Department of Education (SED) size requirement of 770-square
feet per classroom. None of the antiquated bathrooms meet
today’s requirements for handicap accessibility.
Other deficiencies include the impractical location of the
school office and common areas. Instead of being easily
accessible on the ground floor, the administration and nurse’s
offices, cafeteria, and library are located on the second and
third floors. For security reasons, a school’s main office
should be located at the front entrance where it can serve as a
point of entry, and control, for visitors.
School Board establishes committee to explore renovation
& construction options
Highland Associates estimates
that it would cost approximately $17 million dollars to correct
the educational deficiencies and renovate the building’s
structure and systems. The district must now determine if it
should spend millions of dollars to renovate the aging building
or invest the money in a new school. The facility review
committee has been tasked to work with Highland Associates to
explore alternatives and provide the community with a list of
renovation and construction options. School Board President Bill
Onofry said, “Our goal is to determine the best and most
affordable option for our students and our taxpayers.”
Onofry, who is heading the committee, expects it will take
approximately six months to complete the facility study. The
Board will hold a special meeting to share the committee’s
recommendations with the public and seek input from taxpayers,
faculty and staff, and students.
In the meantime, Onofry noted it is important for the district
to attend to the immediate problem – the leaking roof. “Whatever
course we decide to take in regards to any potential building
renovation or construction will take up to 5 or 6 years,” he
said. “The Middle School roof needs to be replaced to maintain
the integrity of the building and ensure the health and safety
of our students and staff.”
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