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James Caldwell High School official Jim Devlin outlines projects in Caldwell‑West referendum
Summary
In a district video ahead of the March 11 referendum, Jim Devlin of James Caldwell High School described proposed capital projects at the high school — including technology, woodshop and STEAM lab upgrades, a new security vestibule and gym HVAC improvements — and the district said funding will come from state aid and reserves with no additional tax impact, as presented.
Jim Devlin, a chief at James Caldwell High School, outlined planned capital improvements for the school in a Caldwell‑West School District informational video ahead of a March 11 referendum. The district said the projects are part of Question 1 on the ballot and described the funding sources the district plans to use.
The projects at James Caldwell High School include technology upgrades, alterations to the woodshop and computer labs to support STEAM classes, a new security vestibule and an upgrade to the gymnasium HVAC system intended to reduce extreme heat and cold in physical-education classes and indoor sports. "With a successful referendum, we will be able to address the needs I've spoken about and many more throughout the district while locking in debt service aid from the state," Devlin said.
The district spokesperson explained that the improvements listed in the video are included in Question 1 on the referendum ballot and stated, "None of these infrastructure improvements will have an additional tax impact to residents." The spokesperson said the district plans to fund the projects through a combination of state debt service aid, $3,300,000 from the district's capital reserves, and by paying off current capital project debt.
The video is one in a series prepared by the district to explain projects included across individual schools; it also referenced a separate video that will discuss the proposed Colonel John M McHugh Athletic Center. The video closed by directing viewers to the district's referendum website for questions and reminding residents to vote on March 11.
The referendum date and the district's funding statement were presented in the informational video; the transcript contains the district's claims about tax impact and state aid but does not include independent verification of projected tax effects or the precise amount of state aid the district expects to receive. The referendum outcome will determine whether the projects proceed.
