Voters in the Monticello Central School District will consider an $85.5 million “Classroom 2020: Phase II” bond referendum during the district’s annual school budget vote, which will be held on May 21. In a separate proposition, residents will also consider the creation of a $10 million capital reserve fund, similar to a savings fund, that could be used in the future to finance necessary district projects.
The Phase II bond would finance extensive renovations at each elementary school, reopen the Cornelius Duggan Elementary School (pending NYSED approval) and add a new theatre, secure walkway and athletic fields to the high school. The bond would also finance essential repairs at the district’s St. John’s Street Education Center, paving the way to relocate administrative offices and possibilities such as an alternative secondary school expansion, a tech education program and various community events. The maximum annual tax impact of the Phase II bond would be $2 per $1k of assessed home value.
“This Board is determined to end a cycle of kicking the can down the road when it comes to maintaining our facilities,” Board of Education President Lori Orestano-James said. “We have been honest with our constituents from day one that there are a large amount of repairs and improvements that are needed throughout the district, as indicated in the required NYSED building condition survey, and that continuing to delay these repairs will only increase costs and taxpayer impact. This has been a complex process, but the Board has done its homework and worked extensively with our team of architects, construction managers and independent financial advisors to organize this plan and we believe it represents the best path forward to meet the safety, structural and programmatic needs of this district at the lowest impact to our taxpayers. We continue to be committed to transparency and strongly encourage our constituents to read more about this project on our website and attend board meetings and other community events to ask questions and learn how the results of this referendum will impact the Monticello community for years to come.”