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Questions and Answers
1. What is
EXCEL aid?
EXCEL Aid (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning) is a
new form of state aid available to districts on a one-time
basis. It is intended to cover the cost of certain repairs and
improvements including education technology, health and safety,
accessibility, physical capacity expansion and energy
enhancement/reduced consumption. The New York State Legislature
included the aid in the budget last April. However, the terms and conditions for applying for EXCEL aid was
not announced to districts until October.
Click here for more information on the NYS Department of
Education Web site.
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2. How much will the project cost local
taxpayers?
The local share of the project’s cost will be covered 100
percent by state aid. EXCEL aid, a new category of state aid for
schools to cover the cost of certain repairs and improvements,
would cover the local share of the cost (21 percent of the
project's total cost) with
traditional state building aid picking up the remaining 79
percent of the project's total cost.
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3. Why propose this project now?
It is important for the district to review its facilities and do
work as needed. A number of capital projects have helped to
updated Duanesburg’s facilities in recent years. However, there are still
repairs and renovations that need our attention. This
project will address some of these concerns now while taking
advantage of extra state funding to cover the local share of the cost.
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4. Why are renovations needed in the
Rainbow Room (Art Annex)?
The Rainbow Room/Art Annex, located outside of the main entrance of the
secondary campus, currently serves as an additional art room. To
continue using this facility, it must be connected to the
municipal water and sewer system, a bathroom and sink must be
added, the flooring needs to be replaced with vinyl tile and
heating issues caused by exhaust from the art room kiln are in
need of repair.
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5. What is the projected timeline for this
project?
If voters approve the $1.398 million capital project on
December12, plans would be submitted to the State Education
Department for approval the following month. Pending approval,
the project could go out to bid in the spring. Work could
commence in June and be completed for the 2007-08 school year.
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6. What will happen if this project is not
approved by voters?
These problems will not got away. If these issues are addressed
now they will be funded 100 percent by state aid. In the future,
we may lose the benefit of EXCEL aid and there may be a cost to local taxpayers.
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7. When and where can I vote?
The vote will be held on Tuesday, December 12 from 1 to 9
p.m. in the Duanesburg Elementary School Gym.
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8. What are the qualifications to vote?
You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the school
district for at least 30 days prior to the vote and a U.S.
citizen.
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9. How can I get more information or give
feedback on this proposal?
- Attend the public hearing
on Tuesday, November 14, at 7 p.m. at the Middle/High School
in room 124B.
- Read the Special Edition: Capital Project
newsletter, which will
be mailed home to district residents the first week in November.
- Call the district office at 518-895-2279.
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