A rendering of the new athletic complex in the Bainbridge-Guilford School District's proposed capital project. The project recently passed with a vote of 140-71, as did the Sherburne-Earlville capital project with a vote of 170-81, and the Unadilla Valley capital project with a vote of 144-18. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Bainbridge-Guilford (BGCSD), Sherburne-Earlville (SECSD), and Unadilla Valley Central School Districts (UVCSD) recently held votes to allow stakeholders to have their say in proposed capital projects.

At BGCSD, the project had a total cost of $15.4 million, and would provide renovations and upgrades to all three schools, the district bus garage, as well as complete a brand new athletic complex with an artificial turf.

The areas of improvement were identified by a building condition survey, which the state requires every school district to complete every five years.

"It’s a tough economy. We don’t know what the future’s going to hold, and we’re a rural community and we try to be respectful of our taxpayer dollar," said BGCSD Superintendent Tim Ryan. "But at the same time, we have buildings, like people’s houses, that require constant upkeep, and so in this project we’re going to be addressing safety features, new doors, some heating and cooling systems, fuel tanks, a new kitchen at Guilford Elementary."

Fortunately, the project will have no tax impact on residents, Ryan said.

"When we did a building project in 2017, the voters learned at that point that there would be a slight increase [in taxes] each year for 15 years, to cover that project," he explained. "So that continues, because we’re only in year five of the 15. So with that piece, and the $4 million from the reserve, and the state aid that we get back, it’s covered. So there’s no additional tax impact to the voters."

The capital project was approved by voters with a total of 140 in favor and 71 not in favor.

Also approved by voters was the $29 million SECSD capital project, with 170 voters in favor and 81 against.

The project features upgrades such as an outdoor learning and play area, a secured entrance to the middle and high school, STEAM renovations and improvements to agriculture and technology science programs, improvements to the high school gym locker rooms, and select bathroom renovations in the middle and high school, among many others.

SECSD Superintendent Robert Berson said projects were identified through surveys with the school community and the Sherburne-Earlville area.

"We did staff, student, parent, and community surveys, and all that information came back and obviously we couldn’t do everything that everyone wanted because that would be cost prohibitive," said Berson. "But the focus being, how can we have no new tax impact for our community, and what are some bigger items that people are passionate about, and how can we identify those things?"

The project will have no additional tax impact to the community, thanks to state aid, capital reserves, and other financial strategies by the district.

At Unadilla Valley, UVCSD voters approved the $17.8 million capital project with a final vote of 144 in favor and 18 against.

The scope of the project includes public restrooms, team rooms, and a concessions building for the athletic fields; new plumbing and fixtures in the locker rooms; renovations to the main secondary school gym; replacing the generator; installing single-stall restrooms; HVAC upgrades; roof repairs; cafeteria equipment upgrades; blue gym renovations; playground replacements; wayfinding signage in driveways and parking lots; and bus garage upgrades.

More information on the BGCSD capital project can be found at bgcsd.org/CapitalProject.aspx. More information on the SECSD capital project can be found at secsd.org/2022CapitalProject.aspx. More information on the UVCSD capital project can be found at uvstorm.org/article/940323.