TUCKAHOE BOND FAQ’s

 

Q. Why are more classrooms required at the MS/HS?  (back to FAQ)
 A. We are out of instructional space. Not only are classrooms fully occupied, but due to space shortages,
classes are held in the Library (which adversely affects library use by the student population when
class is “in session”) and the Chorus Room. In order to free up classroom space, the District Office has
moved to leased space at 29 Elm Street in Tuckahoe.
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Q. Why new science classrooms?  (back to FAQ)
A. The science classrooms in the MS/HS have not been renovated for over 40 years. Science instruction has
changed dramatically and the current facilities were not designed to meet the requirements of the new
State-mandated science curriculum. Now there is much greater hands-on student interaction in science classes. In addition, the District requires students to complete 4 years of science in order to graduate (vs. 3 years for NY State) compared with only 2 years of science needed 10 years ago. Therefore, more students are taking more courses, increasing the demand on the program and facilities. These new science initiatives will prepare our students for college and for jobs in the global economy.
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Q. How does the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) impact this project?   (back to FAQ)
A. Renovation of toilet rooms, a new six stop elevator in the new wing, and wheel chair accessibility to the Library/Gym wing will bring the District into ADA compliance.
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Q. What is the cost of the Bond?   (back to FAQ)
A. The Bond amount is for $13.6 million dollars and may be financed over 30 years. If voters approve the Bond, they are actually authorizing the District to borrow $13.6 million - the project cannot exceed that amount. By spreading the impact over a long period of time, the cost is borne more equitably by those receiving the benefits.
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Q. How were the project costs determined?  (back to FAQ)
A. The District has hired an experienced architectural firm, Peter Gisolfi Associates, to design and develop this project. The firm has worked in many school districts throughout Westchester County. Peter Gisolfi Associates prepared detailed cost estimates for the building project and JMOA, a construction management firm, double-checked their figures. All costs are projected forward for inflation and also include a 10% design contingency and a 5% construction contingency.
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Q. How will project costs be controlled?  (back to FAQ)
A. A construction management firm will monitor and control the project on a day-to-day basis. On a weekly basis, the architect and school administrators will meet with the construction manager to get progress reports and help resolve issues and areas of concern. The District’s Facilities Committee will meet monthly to maintain broad oversight of the project. Our Facilities Committee is comprised of residents with successful careers in the construction field who volunteer their time and expertise to the District. The key members of the Facilities Committee have served for over 10 years through several bond projects. With their assistance, the District has completed projects on time and under budget.
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Q. What has the District done in the past to maintain its buildings?  (back to FAQ)
A. A recent State-mandated inspection of our buildings confirmed that they are in good condition and well maintained. In 1998, a $6.2 million bond was passed which addressed infrastructure issues in the District such as windows, electrical systems, painting, and limited ADA compliance. In 2002, the District entered into an energy performance contract which replaced the boilers at the MS/HS and installed energy efficient lighting upgrades throughout the District. As a result, the new addition will not require expansion of the current heating system which has adequate capacity. In 2003, a $1.6 million bond was passed which replaced the entire roof at the Cottle Elementary School and the remaining sections of the HS/MS roof which had not been replaced in the 1992 and 1998 bond projects. Over the past 3 years, we have been following a 5 year facilities plan prepared by ECG, consulting engineers to the District.
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Q. What are the prospects for increasing the District’s building aid from NY State?  (back to FAQ)
A. Under current State aid formulas, the District’s building aid ratio of 13.3% is far lower than neighboring districts such as Bronxville (20.1%), Pelham (35.1%), Scarsdale (19.5%), Ardsley (32.3%), Hastings (42.4%) and Dobbs Ferry (37.0%). For the past 18 months, the District has been working with local legislators to improve the level of building aid which the District receives from NY State and so obtain more equitable treatment.
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Q. What will be the impact of upcoming teacher retirements?  (back to FAQ)
A. The Board has approved a retirement incentive program for the District’s veteran teachers. Under this program, the District can achieve savings because veteran teachers are at the top of the salary scale whereas newly hired teachers are paid much less. Qualifying teachers have until January 15, 2006 to notify the Board of their decision to take advantage of the incentive. The District anticipates that the number of teachers who will participate will range between 8 and 12. If 8 teachers retire under this program, the District will breakeven in the first year (2006-07) and will start saving at least $350,000 per year in succeeding years. These savings will start at approximately the same time as the District would start paying for this project, if it is approved.
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Q. Will the District Office move back into the school once the building project is complete?  (back to FAQ)
A. The District Office was moved in early 2005 to ease the chronic shortage of classroom space at the HS/MS. Once the bond project is complete, the District Office may be moved back to one of the school buildings and the costs associated with the 29 Elm Street office would be eliminated. The costs of accomplishing this are included in this Bond.
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Q. What other benefits will the District gain from these additional classrooms?  (back to FAQ)
A. The additional classrooms will provide the space to allow the District to offer a broader range of Special Education programs. This will make it possible for more students to be placed in an appropriate program without leaving the District. This would reduce travel time for these students and be more cost effective.
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Q. How much will the Bond cost homeowners?  (back to FAQ)
A. With the current 13.3% building aid, the average annual cost of the Bond for a typical home with a $12,000 assessment will be $357 with Basic STAR and $308 with Enhanced STAR. If the building aid were to increase, the tax impact could drop by 10 – 20%. The tax impact could be further reduced as a result of the teacher retirements and the elimination of the costs associated with the District lease. This would reduce the impact on the annual budget to no more than 1.5 percentage points.
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Q. What school tax relief programs are available to homeowners?  (back to FAQ)
A. Under current law, school tax relief programs are available. These programs reduce school taxes for eligible residents and/or property owners.

Basic STAR
All resident homeowners are eligible for Basic STAR which currently offers a reduction of $2040 on the assessed value of homes.

Enhanced STAR
Senior citizens, 65 years and over, whose combined income is below $66,050 can receive a $3400 reduction in the assessed value of their homes.

Partial Exemptions
The School District offers a partial exemption to eligible senior citizens whose combined income is less than $32,399. This exemption reduces the assessed value of property from 50% to 5% based on income and is in addition to the Enhanced STAR reduction.

For more information, please call the Town Assessor’s office 771-3345. 
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