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Amherst Central School District board backs committee plan to ask voters about heating and gym work after costs rise
Summary
District presenters told the board that phase 3 of the $68.7 million capital referendum is now estimated at about $44.8 million, leaving $7.6 million in the original authorization; the capital committee recommended three May propositions including a tax‑neutral $12.5 million authorization to complete the high‑school heating conversion and a separate $17 million ask that would raise taxes by about 19¢ per $1,000 assessed value if approved.
District presenters told the Amherst Central School District Board of Education that rising construction costs have pushed the estimated cost of phase 3 of the 2022 capital referendum well above original projections and laid out three options to finish the work.
The board heard that the referendum originally approved in December 2022 totaled $68,700,000 and that, after phases 1 and 2, about $7,600,000 remains available. Project presenters told the board phase 3 is now estimated at approximately $44,800,000 if construction occurs in 2027–28. "This spike... really led to about a 50% increase, for the cost of construction goods and labor," Project Presenter (S10) said, citing market volatility, labor shortages and pandemic‑era losses as drivers of escalation.
The capital committee recommended the board ask voters in May to approve three propositions: the annual budget vote; a tax‑neutral $12,500,000 authorization intended to fund the high‑school steam‑to‑hot‑water heating conversion (the committee's top priority); and a separate proposition for an additional $17,000,000 that would cover auditorium theatrical systems and gym work but would carry a tax impact. Presenters said the additional $17 million would equate to roughly 19¢ in tax increase per $1,000 of assessed home value; presenters gave an example that a $300,000 home would face about a $57 annual increase if that proposition passed.
Board members discussed tradeoffs and scope reductions already made to keep the project manageable: presenters said some finish work, dressing‑room upgrades and ADA/elevator scope were removed from the current proposed phase 3 to preserve core mechanical and safety work. The district also described procurement strategies such as direct purchases for high‑value items and conservative contingencies to limit overhead.
Board members raised procedural questions about timing and ballot strategy, including whether to pair the capital authorization with the regular budget vote; presenters explained that placing the authorizations on the May ballot would allow the district to frame the ask as continuation of the existing project and avoid some separate‑vote administrative triggers (45‑day notices and newsletters) that would follow a standalone vote.
After discussion the chair asked the board to indicate support for the committee recommendation; the chair announced the motion "carries 7‑0."
The board also noted that State Education Department (SED) review remains a scheduling uncertainty: presenters said SED review timelines are outside the district's control but that staff are targeting SED submission in 2026 to keep a 2027–28 construction window.
Next steps: the board committed to continued stakeholder outreach and to return with final language and scheduling for the May propositions. The board then moved on to other business.
