November 1, 2007 - The North Colonie Central School District would be able to complete $5.8 million in safety, accessibility and infrastructure improvement projects at little or no cost to taxpayers through the Legislature’s one-time only state aid program—EXCEL (Expanding Children’s Education and Learning).

Approved by legislators in April 2006, EXCEL Aid provides $1.8 billion in infrastructure improvements for New York City schools and $800 million for school districts throughout the rest of the state. EXCEL Aid may only be applied to projects related to health and safety, accessibility, energy costs/consumption, physical capacity expansion or school construction.

Under the EXCEL program, North Colonie has been earmarked for $1.8 million. Maplewood School, which recently gained voter approval as the district’s seventh elementary school, is eligible for $56,000. Once Maplewood officially becomes a part of the North Colonie Central School District on July 1, 2008, the newly consolidated district would be able to utilize these monies to cover the cost for certain repairs and improvements that normally would be paid by district taxpayers.

Possible projects include enhancing building security, installing more energy-efficient devices, and replacing outdated heating and ventilation equipment, as well as roofs that have exceeded their useful life.

Additionally, because of the consolidation, North Colonie will receive an increase in state building aid, from 48 to 68 percent, that will pay for the remaining approximately $4 million.

For the school district to move forward with any capital project, voter approval is required. District officials are finalizing a vote date, which will be announced in the near future. Look for more details on the district web site at www.northcolonie.org, in the district newsletter and via communication materials from each of the district’s schools.