Feb. 28, 2008 - On Monday, March 3, North Colonie and Maplewood residents will go to the polls to vote on a $7 million capital project referendum that would fund infrastructure improvements throughout the district’s eight school buildings, plus Maplewood.

The polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all area elementary schools. Maplewood residents should vote at Goodrich School. All voters must be U.S. citizens, age 18 or older and residents of North Colonie or Maplewood for at least 30 days prior to the vote. Absentee ballots will be received until 4 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Anyone interested in an absentee ballot should contact the district office at 518-785-8591.

The proposed project encompasses about 75 projects, many of which were identified in the district’s five-year Capital Facilities Plan. The projects include improvements to building security, technology, energy efficiency and handicap accessibility; the installation of new, more efficient heating and ventilation equipment; and the replacement of roofs that have exceeded their useful life.

If approved, district residents can expect little or no tax rate increases as a result of the proposed project, thanks to the availability of state funding and current district reserves. The official annexation of Maplewood-Colonie Common School District on July 1, 2008, will provide North Colonie with an increase in traditional state building aid, from 48 to 68 percent for approved building projects.

In addition, EXCEL funding would pay for $1.8 million of the total project, covering the portion that is normally the local taxpayers’ share. EXCEL (Expanding Our Children’s Education and Learning) is a one-time-only form of state building aid to cover the cost of certain school repairs and improvements.

Approval of the referendum will enable the district to take advantage of this unique funding opportunity to proactively make necessary renovations and avoid costly emergency repairs to aging building systems. In addition, the proposed upgrades will keep the school buildings safe, improve energy efficiency to control costs, ensure compliance with building code and handicap accessibility requirements and provide students with a healthier and more comfortable learning environment.

If approved by voters on March 3, the proposed renovations would be completed in three to four years.

For more information, visit the EXCEL section of the district Web site at www.northcolonie.org or call 518-785-8591.