Homer High School (Photo courtesy of Village of Homer website)
The Homer Central School District Board of Education (BOE) met on Tuesday to hear a presentation on the capital project and to prepare for the start of school in just four weeks.
The next Homer BOE meeting will take place on 6:30 p.m. Aug 30 in the HTEC building.
Change of Plans
The BOE heard from Hunt Engineering on adjustments to the planned updates that will take place during the capital project. Certain replacements have changed to repairs in order to save money in the face of massive inflation on construction materials, which is as much as 100% for some supplies, according to the presentation.
The roof will be repaired in places identified as problem areas, and a more complete replacement will wait until costs normalize, as it was found that the roof is in “fairly good condition”, according to the engineering firm. Asphalt work will also be reduced in thickness and scope, and along with the roof repairs will be scheduled to save on electrical site costs on lighting as well. Bathroom renovations at the elementary school will be prioritized over those at the high school, but tile work will be done across schools in order to maintain a cohesive look throughout the district. The press box at the athletic field will also remain in place for at least another year.
The engineering firm is on schedule to move forward and take bids on the work as planned.
Tax Reserve Explanation
The BOE approved a resolution for a Tax Certiorari Reserve, and took a moment to explain that the reserve is a requirement whenever a home or business in the district files an appeal over the assessed value of their property. The difference in taxes which would have been collected must be held in a reserve for 5 years in case it is determined that the appealing entity is entitled to a refund. After 5 years, a refund is issued or the funds are freed up for the district to use as planned.
School Year Prep
The board is making preparations for the upcoming school year including finalizing personnel items, establishing the committees for the new year, and approving the comprehensive school safety plan. The BOE also provided its meeting and presentation schedule, which can be found on the district website.
