Jordan-Elbridge voters reject turf, approve repairs

by Catie O'Toole / The Post-Standard
Thursday December 11, 2008, 9:45 PM

JORDAN, NY - Voters in the Jordan-Elbridge school district today approved only one of three propositions in a $27 million capital project.

Many repair projects that needed to be done passed, but voters rejected a proposal to install artificial turf and improve the athletic facilities.

Here is a breakdown of the votes:

Proposition 1: Replace a wastewater treatment system at the high school and construct parking; purchase 3 1/2 acres of land east of the high school to construct an off-site storm water retention basin; additions at the high school and renovations to district's four buildings; and replace existing grandstand bleachers with handicapped-accessible seating and create new concession stands, bathrooms and locker rooms.
Cost: No more than $21.9 million.
Vote: Passed, 720-583.

Proposition 2: Consolidation of playing fields at the high school and construction of new baseball and softball fields, refinish existing practice fields, add lighting to the two tennis courts, and build an athletic field where the existing wastewater treatment plant is located.
Cost: No more than $3,387,000.
Vote: Failed, 679-619.

Proposition 3: An artificial turf field at the existing high school stadium.
Cost: No more than $1.76 million.
Vote: Failed, 767-530.

Since only the first proposition passed, the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will pay $12 a year with Basic STAR, $18.96 a year without STAR and $27 a year with Senior STAR.

The school district plans to pay for the majority of the project using state building aid, state Excel aid and some money from a capital reserve fund.

"Proposition 1 contains a lot of work that we really need to do," Superintendent Marilyn J. Dominick said. "We're thrilled that the community stood behind us."

School officials said they plan to ask the state to expedite the review process and consider the wastewater treatment plant and the storm water retention basin as urgent so they can begin work in the spring.

Meanwhile, the school board will discuss whether it wants to put the two propositions that failed tonight up for a re-vote, Dominick said.

Staff writer Catie O'Toole is working on a complete story for tomorrow's Post-Standard.