On Monday the board reduced the project size to $94.5 million (the board had previously set the maximum project scope at $108 million).

“The board has made a fiscally-prudent decision while addressing the critical needs of our students,” said Superintendent Kevin Baughman. "The project still includes vital classroom additions, more efficient heating systems, safety and security improvements, handicap-accessibility, and major repair such as roofs and windows."

Niskayuna is eligible for about 67 percent state aid, meaning New York State will reimburse the district for 67 percent of construction costs. In meetings with the New York State Education Department this fall, it was discovered not all the work would receive aid, which would have increased the cost for taxpayers. The reductions ensure the entire project receives aid.

The change eliminates installing geothermal heating systems in the elementary and middle schools (a geothermal heat pump system would still be installed at the high school). Also, classroom additions at the elementary schools have been reduced from six to five rooms per building.

Further investigation by administrators into geothermal heating led them to cut the systems at all schools.

"Upon further study, we decided the initial cost is prohibitive, and the payback period — 15 to 20 years — is too long," said Baughman. The elementary schools and Van Antwerp Middle School will instead receive hot water heating systems, which will be more efficient than the current steam systems. Administrators estimate those new systems will save the district more than $330,000 in heating costs every year (this figure includes the proposed classroom additions).

The number of classrooms added at each elementary school would still be adequate for expected enrollment growth in the next 10 years, Baughman said. Smaller items reduced from the project include some technology funding and floor tile replacement.

Local cost reduced to $31 million
Because state aid would pay for about 67 percent of the total construction cost, the new local cost would be $31 million, payable over 20 years.

The cost to the local taxpayer would be minimized by two factors: 1) the reduction of large school district debt beginning in 2006-07 and 2) the continued growth and development of property in the Niskayuna school district.

Including those minimizing factors, the total local cost to the owner of a home with a taxable assessed value of $100,000 would average about $68 per year. (Note: The taxable assessed value includes application of the equalization rate and STAR reductions, and can be found on your school tax bill.) The estimated average rate would be $0.68 per $1,000 taxable assessed valuation.

Project details
The project addresses immediate needs in all eight buildings. Below are summaries, or see a detailed list of work by building

The Elementary Schools:
• Add five classrooms to meet growing enrollment, for special education classes and to replace two displaced rooms (see next bullet)
• Reconfigure two existing classrooms into smaller spaces for parent conferences, testing, and student services/support (such services are currently provided in hallways, basements, former closets and on stages)
• Replace the inefficient steam heating systems with more efficient hot water systems
• Replace inefficient windows
• Traffic safety improvements
• Increase handicap-accessibility by adding platform lifts on stages, automatic door openers at main entrances
• Replace old carpets with vinyl tile, which is allergy-friendly and easier to maintain

Niskayuna High School:
• Add eight classrooms to address growing enrollment, including one special education and one science room
• Replace the building’s inefficient and ineffective heating system with a high efficiency geothermal system
• Relocate to the center of the school and expand the media center, which cannot accommodate the number of students who wish to research and study
• Relocate and expand the music rooms so they are adjacent to the auditorium
• Reconfigure the traffic circles and pedestrian crossings to increase student safety
• Create a Study Commons in the center of the building where students can study
• Replace the roof (which regularly leaks and requires expensive repair)

Iroquois Middle School:
• Renovate and update two art rooms and two home & careers rooms
• Replace original windows (which are inefficient and in many cases permanently cloudy because of moisture trapped in the windows)
• Replace undersized 6-inch-wide lockers with standard 12-inch lockers (to better accommodate student books and belongings)

Van Antwerp Middle School:
• Replace the heating systems (which are inefficient and provide inconsistent heat around the building) with a more efficient hot water system
• Roof repair (sections regularly leak)
• Rebuild and re-point masonry
• Improve handicap-accessibility by adding a wheelchair lift

District-wide:
• Replace aging telephone systems with one district-wide system (which would be more economical and provide better security by adding telephones in every classroom)
• Increase security and student safety by installing exterior lighting, security cameras and window blinds at all schools (the high school would also receive a swipe card access system for staff entering the building after hours)
• Update classroom computer technology
 

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