Less than 40 people attended the third and final public information session Tuesday night held by the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District in an effort to inform residents and field questions regarding the proposed capital project. The capital project plan will come before voters Thursday, Dec. 11.
The main concern raised by taxpayers Tuesday night at the meeting was the cost of the plan and the tax impact. Several residents questioned how the district could come before voters with the project, which carries an estimated total cost of $27 million, in light of the recession. Supporters of the project maintained between 78 and 90 percent of the bill would be picked up by New York State aid, which would almost certainly not be available in the near future as a result of the economic crisis. The project, which has been divided into three propositions that residents will each vote on separately Thursday includes renovations to all four district buildings, upgrades to athletic facilities and the building of an all-weather field and sports stadium. Proposition 1 includes all work to be done on school buildings; Proposition 2 would create a centralized athletic facility at the high school campus; Proposition 3 focuses exclusively on an all-weather field. Polls for the public vote will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Dec. 11 at the high school, 5721 Hamilton Road, Jordan. For more information, visit the district’s Web site at jecsd.org. Look for full story in next week’s The Advocate.