On Jan. 23, Ogdensburg City School District residents approved a $65.5 million capital project referendum that will advance and improve the student experience in academics, athletics, and the arts, instructional programming; health, safety, handicapped-accessibility compliance and security measures; achieve energy efficiencies and other cost-saving measures; and protect the community’s long-term investment in its school facilities.
Voters approved the capital project proposal 259 votes to 47 votes.
“We want to thank all of our community residents who came out to participate in the voting process today,” said Superintendent of Schools Kevin Kendall. “This capital project will make it possible for us to improve and update our schools in a manner that will ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. We appreciate the outstanding support that the Ogdensburg community has for our school district.”
The project will touch every school building in the District, creating new student labs for robotics, drafting, and the CREATE program at Ogdensburg Free Academy. The Golden Dome will receive a new roof and other changes that will benefit our athletics program, hockey teams, and fans. JFK Elementary will see a new domestic water system, a new roof, and new surfaces on the playground. Madill Elementary will improve its front parking lot and upgrade the stage for student performances. The capital project also allows the District to build a new transportation building.
Ogdensburg will be reimbursed for 98 percent of the total project cost through state building aid, and the district is also planning to use $4 million of its capital reserve funds toward this project. The school-tax levy will not increase, meaning that property owners within the District will not see any additional costs in school taxes.
The next phase of the project is the final architectural design for each of the school buildings and site work plans. Improvements across the District are expected to be completed over the next 3 years. Once the project is approved by the State Education Department, which can take several months, a final construction timeline will be established.