The Duanesburg Central School District has worked diligently to provide the community with multiple opportunities to learn about its proposed $6.9 million, tax-neutral capital project, known as Phase III of the Centennial Initiative. This phase includes several “wish list” items that could not be completed during Phases I and II.
The vote will take place TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, with polls open from 2-9 p.m. in the Library Media Center at the Jr.-Sr. High School.
To keep the community informed, the district has:
✅ Mailed informational postcards to all community members
✅ Invited questions via email at capitalproject@duanesburg.org
✅ Created a dedicated webpage with comprehensive project details
✅ Hosted a Virtual Forum on December 1
✅ Offered a Facilities Tour on December 4
✅ Held a Public Hearing on December 4
✅ Shared project information through coverage in the Daily Gazette
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
As a final effort to encourage voter participation, we would like to share answers to some of the thoughtful questions posed by community members—questions you may have as well:
Q. What does tax neutral mean?
Tax neutral means that the project will not increase the school district’s tax levy. In other words, the funding plan has been designed so that the cost of the project is fully covered through a combination of state building aid and careful financial planning—without requiring additional taxes from our community.
Being tax neutral ensures that residents’ school taxes remain stable and do not rise as a direct result of this project, enabling the district to invest in necessary improvements while maintaining fiscal responsibility and protecting taxpayers from new financial burdens.
Q. Why are roofs always included in capital projects and why don’t they ever seem to get completed?
To qualify for state aid when replacing roofs, each roof must first reach the end of its warranty period. The district’s roofs were not all installed at once. Instead, they were intentionally staggered so that their replacements would also occur at different times. This approach prevents the district from facing the extremely high cost of replacing all roofs simultaneously. As a result, roof replacements have been completed in phases based on warranty expiration dates. The final section of roofing at DES, included in Phase III, is the last remaining area that needs replacement. Once Phase III is complete, no roof replacements are expected for 20 years or longer.
Q. Why are we voting on this in December and not in May with the annual budget vote?
Although a capital project may be voted on in May alongside the annual budget as a separate proposition, it is often necessary to hold a stand-alone capital project vote. This allows districts to accommodate scheduling considerations such as project planning timelines, State Education Department review processes—which can take a year or longer—and the strategic bundling of construction projects to align with work already underway in the district. Voting on the Phase III Capital Project in December instead of May will help the district align Phase III work with the scheduled completion of Phase II and meet state timelines to secure funding and State Education Department approval.
Q. Why don’t school districts include funds in the annual budget each year to complete this kind of work? Why do they need to be done through separate funding and separate community votes?
The primary advantage of undertaking a capital project is that most of the costs can be reimbursed over time through state building aid, allowing us to complete the work with minimal—if any—tax impact. Each school district has a different reimbursement rate. Duanesburg receives 79% in building aid for capital projects. If we fold these projects into the general operating budget, we do not receive this aid, which ultimately increases taxes to cover the full cost of the work.
Q: What will interest rates be when we borrow for this project:
DCS plans to finance the $6.9 million cost of the Phase III Centennial Capital Project through the issuance of a bond. The district’s financial advisor has developed a conservative financing plan that accounts for potential changes in interest rates. Although interest rates are currently trending downward, there is no guarantee they will remain at those levels when the bonds are issued. By using conservative rate assumptions, the district can better ensure that the project remains tax neutral even if interest rates rise.
In addition, New York State building aid includes an interest rate component that adjusts based on prevailing market conditions. The district may also participate in the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) School Financing Pool, which can help align interest rates on the district’s debt service with state building aid reimbursements, to retain the tax neutral status.
Q: What are the steps involved with proposing a capital project and figuring out the scope and budget of the project?
Capital projects in New York school districts follow the same process:
(1) School districts are required to conduct a Building Condition Survey (BCS) every five years. This comprehensive review, completed by architects, engineers, and facilities staff, evaluates the condition of school buildings and identifies areas in need of repair or improvement, particularly issues that could worsen over time or create additional problems if left unaddressed.
(2) The district then reviews and prioritizes the BCS findings to develop a proposed scope of work that aligns with available resources and budget considerations.
(3) Input from key stakeholders is gathered to help refine the project. Once the scope and budget are finalized, the Board of Education must approve the proposal before it moves forward to a community referendum.
(4) If the community approves the capital project, the plan is submitted to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for review and approval. This process typically takes 12 to 18 months, after which construction may begin.