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Marion Central outlines $24.1 million capital project; board approves reserve funding to support a no‑tax‑impact referendum
Summary
The school business administrator presented a reserve fund report that adds $480,000 to the 2018 capital reserve (bringing the authorized allotment to $5M and leaving roughly $3.9M available). Administrators outlined a proposed $24.1M capital project with a December 9 voter referendum and asked the board to consider resolutions on Oct. 7.
The Marion Central School District presented its annual reserve fund report and moved forward plans for a proposed $24,100,000 capital project that administrators say can be structured with no tax impact by applying the district—apital reserve.
Miss Kwokka, the school business administrator, told the board the external auditor provided final figures for excess fund balance. The board was asked to approve the reserve report, which includes interest earned of about $174,000 over the fiscal year and limited use of reserves to purchase buses. The administrator said she recommended adding $480,000 to the 2018 capital reserve to reach the voter‑authorized allotment of $5,000,000; after prior uses, that would leave about $3.9 million available to apply to a capital project.
On scope and schedule, administration presented a draft project and timeline: the board is expected to approve two resolutions at an October meeting (the seeker and the voter referendum authorization), a voter referendum is planned for Dec. 9, and, if approved, detailed architectural work and SED review would follow with construction anticipated to start in 2027 and substantial completion in late 2028. The presented cost estimate totaled $24,100,000 (about $23,000,000 construction plus DASNY fees and capitalized interest), and administrators noted those figures are estimates and may change during design and bidding.
Elements shown in the draft scope include elementary improvements (water mitigation, auditorium/library/cafeteria air conditioning, exterior doors, restroom renovations, pavement), a full high school roof replacement, and a substantial rework of the high school ag/music wing to accommodate plant science and expanded music spaces, plus bus‑garage HVAC and fueling station replacements. Administrators emphasized that no architectural drawings have been finalized and that stakeholder input and iterative design would continue.
The reserve fund report was moved and approved by voice vote, clearing the way for October timetable decisions about the referendum resolutions.
