Residents Approve Capital Project

Residents in the Marcellus Central School District voted on Tuesday, 12/7/21, to approve a $17.5 million Capital Project.

The final tally was 161 in favor, with 86 voting against.

Taking into consideration increases in the cost of construction, state building aid of about 80 percent, and use of debt replacement and $1.7 million in capital reserves, “we anticipate no additional local taxes will be needed to complete the project,” stated District Business Administrator Anthony Sonnacchio.

The project addresses critical maintenance items throughout the district, utilizing priorities from the five-year Building Conditions Survey.  The project will focus on re-roofing portions of all three buildings and re-paving and updating parking and roadways surrounding the high school.

Alternates have been identified for the project that will either allow the district to capture additional work should bids be favorable, or provide updated pricing to complete work in a future project. Alternates include construction of an agricultural education facility and related infrastructure, replacement of the remaining original windows in the DMS auditorium and gymnasium, and renovations in the original DMS boys and girls locker rooms. 

Now that the project has been approved, district officials will begin working on the design. The NY State Education Department is expected to complete their review of the project by the end of 2022, with bidding and construction scheduled to begin in 2023. 

"We greatly appreciate the continued support from our community.  We have been able to make excellent progress with facilities care, upgrades and repairs over the past few years as a result," shared Michelle Brantner, Superintendent of Schools.