Canajoharie school official outlines $29.6 million capital project, says tax levy impact 'zero' under expected state aid

A presenter at a Canajoharie Central School District meeting described a proposed $29,600,000 capital project that would be carried out in two phases beginning in 2027 and finishing by about 2030.

The presenter said the district plans to use $2,000,000 from capital reserves and expects roughly 91% state aid for the project, and that—combined with debt falling off—the plan results in a tax levy increase of "0" as presented. "The overview is $29,600,000," the presenter said. "Capital reserve of $2,000,000, use, a tax levy increase of 0, and our aid is 91%."

If approved, the project budget would allocate about $11,600,000 to the East Hill complex and middle school, approximately $17,000,000 to the high school and roughly $1,000,000 to the bus garage and transportation facility. The presenter said about $18,200,000 of the project covers roofs, HVAC systems, driveways and parking lots and noted a concurrent $14,000,000 geothermal effort. "So 70% of it is just wrapped up into that," the presenter said.

Officials told attendees they built a large contingency into estimates because of supply-chain uncertainty and tariffs: "There's a 60% add on to the base cost due to the unknowns and the tariffs," the presenter said. The presenter compared that approach to another district with a $120,000,000 project that included a smaller contingency and is now facing overruns.

The presenter listed specific high-school work — rooftop and skylight replacements, seat replacements, plumbing and electrical upgrades, new air-handling units and a full fire-alarm replacement, noting some alarm components are no longer available from the original vendor. They also described two alternate high-school items (sidewalks and fencing near the tennis courts) that would be completed only if funds remain after contingencies.

Transportation work includes floor finishes at the bus garage and other updates that the presenter estimated at about $1,000,000, and a separate finishing project was referenced in the transcript with inconsistent naming (appearing as both "Capitol Alley" and "Capital Holloway").

The presenter addressed public concern about taxes and explained how state aid functions in the district's financing plan: "We get 91% aid, and we're gonna take full advantage of that," the presenter said in response to a 'state aid' question. The presenter also urged residents to vote: the public vote on the project was announced for Dec. 4, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with absentee ballots available by calling the district office and a residency requirement of at least 30 days before voting noted in the meeting.

Other details noted: consultant work by King & King was described as thorough and a recently completed $100,000 project was cited as an example of improved turnaround. The presenter recounted limited public reaction on social media and one phone conversation in which a commenter later posted positively about district leadership.

The meeting concluded after the presentation; the presenter moved to adjourn, a second was called and a voice vote closed the session.

Next steps: the district will take the proposal to a public vote on Dec. 4, and officials said they would continue preparing bids and timelines in advance of work starting in 2027.