Facilities Project: Frequently Asked Questions

3. When was the last time a school was built in Millbrook?

No completely new school has been constructed in the District since 1964. Additions were added to our two elementary schools in the early 1990s, and two classrooms were added to the high school in 1998.

4. When and where will the referendum vote be held?

Residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. The vote will take place in the auditorium at Millbrook Junior/Senior High School.

5. What are the voter requirements?

To vote in the referendum, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of the Millbrook Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the referendum, and a registered voter with the school district and/or Dutchess County.

6. How can I get an absentee ballot?

Applications for absentee ballots will be available at the District's two project information events, which are scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. on February 18 at the Millbrook Junior/Senior High School Cafeteria and February 25 at the Millbrook Free Library, Bennett College Community Room. Applications are also available through District Clerk Tonya Pulver in the District Office at 845-677-4200 ext. 100; the District Office is located in the Thorne Building (3323 Franklin Avenue). Note that March 2 is the last day you may request that an absentee ballot application be mailed to you, and March 8 is the last day you may pick up an absentee ballot application in person at the District Office. Absentee ballots must be returned to the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on March 9, 2004.

7. What types of classrooms and facilities are proposed in the new high school?

The proposed plan is composed of two propositions that encompass building a new high school (Proposition 1) as well as an auditorium (Proposition 2). Included in the scope of work are the following:

16 general classrooms

2 music rooms with practice rooms

2 art classrooms

4 science classrooms/laboratories

1 home and careers classroom

1 technology classroom

1 writing lab

1 teaching center

cafeteria and kitchen

library media center

gymnasium with locker rooms and lobby area

physical education offices

auditorium with stage

main lobby

elevator and stair towers

administrative offices

mechanical room

8. If the plan is approved, how would our grade level configuration change throughout the District?

Elm Drive Elementary School would continue to house grades K-2

Alden Place Elementary would house grades 3-5

The middle school (in the junior/senior high school building) would house grades 6-8

The high school would house grades 9-12

9. What is the rationale behind presenting this plan?

We must address overcrowding in our schools. Alden Place Elementary School operates over capacity, and Millbrook Junior/Senior High School is strained by our current student population in grades 7-12 (562 students). Although we have not had a dramatic increase in enrollment in recent years, we have experienced significant changes in education in the last decade. These changes include new academic standards, a host of mandated (but not funded) programs and services, and technology requirements that call for more and different kinds of learning space than is now available in our schools. As a result of this, a school that, for example, would easily have accommodated 1,000 students 30 years ago would most likely be too small to meet the academic needs of just 800 students today.
By changing our current junior/senior high into a middle school, we reduce student population in that facility. In doing this we provide appropriate space for educational programs and services, lessen the everyday wear and tear on the building, enable our custodial staff to spend more time on maintenance, free up much-needed storage space, and provide a home for the District Office (rather than paying rent at the Thorne Building). Additionally, we create a much needed, focused program for our sixth- through eighth-grade students.

Finally, since the proposed plan calls for the construction of a second access road, parking and traffic around the elementary and junior/senior high schools would be greatly improved.

10. But, why does the District need a new high school?

A new high school would address several important issues:

Overcrowding: With 562 students in our junior/senior high school, we are over capacity. Simply walking through the building's narrow hallways and single main corridor to get to class is difficult for students and staff. And, projections based on current enrollment of students in grades 3 and up indicate this growth will continue until we exceed 600 students in 2005.

Inadequate space: Only two of 12 specialized rooms (science, technology, art, computer, music, and home/careers) meet current State Education Department guidelines.

Increasing program requirements: Changes in program requirements have dictated more and different kinds of learning space than is now available in our high school. These mandated programs and support services, as well as the significant rise in extra-curricular and co-curricular participation levels, have decreased the effective capacity of the school — even as the student population has not increased dramatically — rendering the facility unable to properly meet the needs of its students. Because our facility has remained nearly unchanged since the 1960s, it reflects the program needs of a bygone era.

More stringent graduation requirements: Additional Regents requirements mean our Millbrook students must accumulate 23 credits now to secure a Regents diploma. This is up from the 16 credits required to graduate from high school in the 1970s. We must provide appropriate learning space to help students achieve these requirements.

Parking, traffic, and safety concerns: Because the current facility is used for school and community programs, parking and the single ingress/egress provided on Alden Place are congesting our roads and parking lots, causing concern for safety. The plan for the new high school includes constructing an entrance road to the school from Church Street as well as building an additional parking at the high school. This parking would double our current capacity at the high school and relieve parking congestion at the elementary school.

11. Are our District schools currently over capacity?

Yes. A long range planning study commissioned by the District and prepared by the Western Suffolk BOCES Office of School Planning and Research in January 2001 showed that both Alden Place Elementary School and Millbrook High School will each exceed 100% of their functional capacity in the period 2001-2010. The study noted that "to allow for realistic enrollment of students at each grade level and scheduling flexibility, operation of each school should remain below 90% of the functional capacity."

12. If our current high school classrooms are inadequate for high school programs, will they be suitable for middle school programs?

The current high school building is in good condition structurally. In recent years, the Board has replaced the boilers and the roof, and refurbished the auditorium. This building will serve as solid programmatic space for middle level youngsters.
By removing a significant number of senior high students from this building to the new high school, it will be easier for the District to address items needing repair. With a reduced overall capacity, we will be able to address timeworn items while the building is occupied by performing improvements in vacant space while students work in classrooms undisturbed by the upgrades. Our current, overcrowded environment does not afford us this option.

13. Does this plan call for renovation of Millbrook Junior/Senior High?

Previous plans included some renovation work at the junior/senior high, but to reduce the overall cost to taxpayers, this work was eliminated in the final plan. However, by making the current junior/senior high a middle school, we will lower the student population in that building, thus reducing the overcrowding in the main hallway and lessening everyday wear and tear throughout the building. Our custodians, who are responsible for both maintenance tasks and set up/tear down of rooms that serve multiple purposes, will have more time for building improvements since fewer students mean fewer room changes.

14. Why does the proposed plan call for the creation of a grade 6-8 middle school?

Educational trends in the last two decades show a shift from junior high schools (usually grades 7-9) to middle schools (either grades 5-8 or 6-8). Middle schools, unlike junior high schools which tend to imitate high schools, address the developmental characteristics of students in this specific age group. This allows educators to focus not only on students’ intellectual development, but also on their physical, moral, ethical, social, and psychological development.
The establishment of a middle school (or middle school concept) was also one of the key areas identified by the Citizens Facilities Committee.

15. Why doesn't the District just expand and modify Millbrook Junior/Senior High rather than building a new high school?

A number of plans for renovation of the junior/senior high have been developed and presented to the community for review. However, at the facilities project update held in November 2003, participants overwhelmingly supported the construction of a new school rather than creating a "middle school-within-a-school" by renovating the existing junior/senior high school.
Another factor is the limited amount of space available for expansion due to the layout of the site. In addition, renovations of the magnitude it would take to add enough space to fully support both middle school and high school programs in the same school would bring with them two to three years of construction. Construction during the academic year would require a significant amount of disruption for our students and staff.

16. How would Alden Place Elementary School be impacted by the proposed plan?

If voters approve the plan, sixth-grade students would relocate from Alden Place Elementary School to the new middle school, bringing Alden’s student population in the remaining grades 3-5 closer to the building's recommended functional capacity. This would free up space in the overcrowded, overused all-purpose room that currently serves as cafeteria, gymnasium, and music space within the school. There would also be more space for hands-on science, computer, and math work, as well as multi-discipline learning. With 25% fewer students, there will be less everyday wear and tear on the building. And finally, with a reduced population, the custodial staff will have more time to perform maintenance duties.

17. Is there anything in the plan about Elm Drive Elementary School?

Elm Drive Elementary School is not addressed in the current plan.

18. How would the plan address the traffic and parking issues on Alden Place?

The proposed plan includes construction of a new road and additional parking. Not only would this double the current amount of available parking at the high school and relieve traffic congestion on Alden Place, but more importantly, it would provide a second access route for emergency vehicles.

19. Is an auditorium at the high school necessary?

Construction of an auditorium would enable us to dramatically improve large-group instruction activities, and provide space for large-scale testing, assemblies and meetings. In addition, the New York State Learning Standards include expectations for student achievement in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts. An auditorium would help us give our high school students the opportunity to actively engage in these art forms, helping them get the experiences they need to meet state requirements.

20. Why did the Board present the auditorium as a separate proposition?

Throughout the development of the capital improvement plan, Millbrook residents clearly communicated they want options. The Board has strived all along to provide alternatives to the community, and presenting the auditorium in a separate proposition is another means of offering voters a choice.

21. What does this project cost?

The estimated project cost of Proposition 1 is $17,951,889 and Proposition 2 is $2,845,064. This includes construction, site work, incidentals such as furniture and equipment, professional fees, contingencies, and associated financing costs. For both propositions combined, this translates into a monthly cost of less than $20 per household (without STAR exemption). Since Proposition 1 would approve the spending of $1 million from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund, the local share of the project costs would be further reduced. The tax impact of the bond would begin to take effect in the 2005-2006 school year.

22. How would the proposed plan affect my school taxes?

The estimated tax impact to residents for Proposition 1 would be $197* annually. The combined impact for Propositions 1 and 2 would be $229* annually.
*Note: The District used a home with a true value of $275,000 to provide examples of tax impact. True value is the assessment divided by the equalization rate. True value is used to determine the percentage of the tax levy across the six towns we represent. Assessed value is the value of a taxable piece of property as determined by each town's assessing practices. The differences in the cost to the taxpayers in each town within a district reflect the differences in assessing practices in each town. The equalization rate for each town (as determined annually by the New York State Office of Real Property Services) ensures every taxpayer pays his or her fair share of taxes. To find the assessed value of your home, look on your most recent tax bill.

23. What interest rate is being used in cost estimates for the bond issue? How long is the bond’s length?

The estimates for the bond rate have been calculated at 5%. The issue term has been calculated for 30 years.

24. What is the overall bonded indebtedness now? Are any bond issues being retired during the life of the new bond?

The District is in a very enviable position with regard to bonded indebtedness at the present time. Including the recently completed roofing project at the current junior/senior high school, the District’s total bonded indebtedness is less than $4.7 million.
The District is in the process of refunding all the outstanding bonds of the 1992 issue, while reissuing new bonds at a reduced rate, thus saving the District more than $100,000 in interest. Additionally, all the District's current debt will be retired during the life of the new high school bond (if approved). The 1992 and 1998 issues will each retire by 2011 and 2012 respectively and the roofing project bonds will be retired by 2018.

25. Does a new school mean we will hire more teachers, administrators, and support staff, which will then increase our annual operating budget?

The impact to our operational budget will be minimal because of the grade reorganization. We will reorganize our current secondary assignments to include some middle level teachers and some secondary (9-12) teachers. And, some staff will likely work at both levels.
The new high school would require the addition of a nurse and custodians, as well as custodial support and utilities. However, since the District Office would move from the Thorne Building into the new middle school (currently Millbrook Junior/Senior High School), the District would realize savings from rental fees for that space. As a result, we estimate the annual operating budget would increase by $216,845 if only Proposition 1 is approved and by $225,108 if both Propositions 1 and 2 pass.

26. Will we save money in the annual operating budget by moving the District Office from the Thorne Building into the new middle school?

Moving the high school population to the new school would enable us to create adequate space for middle level programming, develop necessary storage space we currently lack, and relocate the administrative offices, thus reducing our budget expenses. At the anticipated rental fee for the Thorne Building for next year alone, and allowing for only moderate increases over time, this should save the District more than $1 million over the life of the bond.

27. How much will the state pay for the new school?

Our District is eligible to receive up to 23% of the costs on space declared as eligible. If both propositions pass, the state's share of our project would amount to $4,783,299.

28. What is STAR, how do I know if I am eligible, and how do I apply if I am?

The School Tax Relief Program or STAR provides a partial exemption from school property taxes. All New Yorkers who own and live in their one-, two-, or three-family home, condominium, cooperative apartment, manufactured home, or farm dwelling are eligible for a STAR exemption on their primary residence.
The STAR program is composed of the basic or standard STAR exemption, which is available for owner-occupied, primary residences regardless of the owners’ ages or incomes; and the enhanced or senior STAR exemption, which is available to senior citizens who meet the age and income requirements of the program.

To receive a STAR tax cut, homeowners must file an application with their local property assessor. Applications are available from local property assessors, online at www.orps.state.ny.us/star, or by calling 1-888-NY-STAR-5. STAR applications must be filed with the local property assessor. Senior citizens meeting the age and income criteria for the enhanced STAR must renew their application each year; property owners who have filed for the basic STAR exemption do not need to renew their application.

Complete information about the STAR program is available online at www.orps.state.ny.us/star/.

29. What is a capital reserve fund?

The Millbrook Central School District's Capital Reserve Fund was authorized by voters in May 2001. Proposition 1 asks voters to approve the use of $1 million from this fund to offset the total amount the District must bond for. Note that this does not cost taxpayers any additional money since the District already has those funds.

30. I've heard the District is trying to get an exemption from the Wicks Law. What is this law and what impact would an exemption have?

The Wicks Law is a 90-year-old mandate that requires government agencies in New York State to use multiple contractors on most construction projects. In most other states, in federal agencies, and in the private sector, a single prime contractor can be used.
Since studies show this mandate adds from 10% to 30% to the cost of a project, the District has contacted our state legislators and asked for an exemption to this law. Exemptions have been authorized in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Oneonta, and New York City schools are exempt from this law.

Senator Stephen Saland recently introduced legislation that, if it passes, would authorize an exemption from the Wicks Law for our District. This bill will be known as Senate 6156. Assemblyman Patrick Manning is sponsoring identical legislation in the Assembly.

31. If the referendum is approved, how can residents be assured the project would be kept on track?

By law, the District cannot exceed the amount of the public referendum once it has been approved by voters. In addition, the primary role of the District's construction manager, The Palombo Group, is to manage the budget process and construction schedule. A construction manager represents the District in dealing with all contractors and subcontractors to ensure the project scope not only addresses the District's issues, but also that the project is completed on time and within budget.

32. What happens if the project is not approved?

If voters reject the proposed plan in March, our space, facilities, and programmatic issues would still need to be addressed. The learning standards and graduation requirements in effect mean we will have serious difficulty meeting the academic needs of our students in the very near future if we do not do something now.If the referendum is not approved on March 9, the Board legally has a variety of options from which to choose. These include, but are not limited to, re-presenting the exact same project for public vote after 90 days or altering the plan and re-presenting it as soon as legal notice requirements are met (45 days). In either scenario, if a referendum is approved on a subsequent date, the timing of the project schedule would be pushed back and costs would be higher (state aid is likely to be reduced as soon as June). Throughout this time, the issues in our schools would remain unresolved.

33. What is the timeline for this plan?

Between now and the referendum date, the public will continue to be informed about the plan. If voters approve the bond on March 9, 2004, the District's architects would immediately start finalizing project plans, drawings, and the construction schedule. This extensive planning/design phase normally takes several months. Construction and renovation work would then be expected to begin in spring 2005 and be completed by December 2006.