St. Paul Fredonia will be hosting a disability and sensory-inclusive Santa event for special needs children and their siblings on Sunday, December 15th, from 2 to 4 p.m. This event is for children who may find traditional Santa encounters difficult or overwhelming and is St. Paul's FREE Christmas gift to our community!
While this event is taking place at the church, it is non-sectarian in nature and is open to all. Registrations are strongly encouraged. Learn more and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/bdf2aehu or by calling the church office at 716-672-6731.
The first Capital Project Question and Answer session is tonight at 7 PM at the Main Campus in the HS Library. Please enter the building through the High School Entrance. Attend in person or via Zoom for information related to various questions and answers about the overall project and each proposition. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions as well. To attend via Zoom use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/93248194698?pwd=NYYbiaWlDFL7tXt8AV1s65tXN56RZy.1
Due to the weather forecast for the next 24 hours, Fredonia Central School District will be closed tomorrow, December 5th, 2024. Stay safe everyone.
The first Capital Project Question and Answer session is scheduled for this Thursday, December 5, at 7 PM at the Main Campus in the HS Library. Please enter the building through the High School Entrance.
Attend in person or via Zoom for information related to various questions and answers about the overall project and each proposition. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
To attend via Zoom use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/93248194698?pwd=NYYbiaWlDFL7tXt8AV1s65tXN56RZy.1
To make sure we have provided as much information for our residents as possible, we will be hosting two Capital Project Question and Answer sessions over the next week before our public vote on Thursday, December 12 from 2-9 PM in the High School cafeteria. The sessions include:
Thursday, December 5 at 7 PM at the Main Campus in the HS Library. Please enter the building through the High School Entrance. The following Zoom link is available as well:
https://zoom.us/j/93248194698?pwd=NYYbiaWlDFL7tXt8AV1s65tXN56RZy.1
Monday, December 9 at 7 PM at Wheelock in the cafeteria. Please enter the building through the Main Entrance. The following Zoom link is available as well: https://zoom.us/j/93094422800?pwd=bYrzbIZ25LoKo8ardbxeHBaXwaMwdb.1
Feel free to attend in person or via Zoom for information related to a variety of questions and answers about the overall project and each proposition. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
Thanks for your consideration.
In case you missed it, here is a link to our Capital Project video: https://youtu.be/lUx62_2FpUY
Respectfully,
Brad Zilliox
Superintendent
Due to inclement weather, Fredonia Central School District will be closed tomorrow, Monday, December 2nd.
This Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to each of you. Our students, Board of Education, families, teachers, staff, and community members are the heart of Fredonia Central School District, and we are grateful for your support and dedication to our mission of helping everyone become their greatest selves. The spirit of collaboration makes our district a special place for everyone.
We wish you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and restful holiday filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving. Thank you for being an essential part of our Fredonia family.
Do you know someone who will be home for Thanksgiving and wants an absentee ballot for the upcoming Capital Project vote on December 12th? This includes recent graduates who may be home from college or the military.
Our District Office staff will be at the Events Entrance from 8 AM to 2 PM this coming Wednesday (November 27) for anyone interested in voting. The entire absentee ballot process can be completed in person in just a few minutes.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Pucci-Schaefer for an amazing performance at States -
NYSPHSAA 1-Meter Diving Champion and a Federation title!
Congratulations to Leah Marsh for her fantastic 16th place finish at States!
Read the whole story here: https://www.observertoday.com/sports/local-sports/2024/11/simply-the-best
Why is a community vote needed?
To proceed with the project, we must get voter approval. It is essential that the community come out to vote so that we can both achieve a majority approval and also so we know that we are moving forward with a vote that is representative of our community.
When and where will the vote be held?
The vote will be held on December 12th, 2024 in our High School cafeteria.
Who can vote?
People who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and have been residents of the District for at least 30 days before the vote are eligible.
Congratulations to our September and October Students of the Month in the High School!
https://online.fliphtml5.com/qorwz/xthc/
Congratulations and Best of Luck to Elizabeth Pucci-Schafer and Leah Marsh as they head to the Webster Aquatic Center to compete in the 2024 NYS Diving Championships!
We are so excited to share our new Capital Project Video with you!
https://youtu.be/lUx62_2FpUY
Thank you to Mr. Way for creating this video, and Dr. Z, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Beers for sharing their knowledge about our proposed capital project.
What is the total cost of the proposed Capital Project if all three propositions are approved and how will it affect local taxes?
The full cost of the proposed project will be $51,700,000. Again, the current Proposition #1 and #2 are covered by a high rate of Building Aid at 77% and 78%. Proposition #3 generates less Building Aid at 29% since the total amount exceeds the MCA for site and outdoor work at the Main Campus. The other 71% will need to come from the local share.
The combined tax impact if all three propositions are approved is anticipated to be a 9.9% increase. :
The anticipated increases to the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation and tax bill impacts for households of various levels of assessment are as follows. The approximate impact for an average valued home within each town is highlighted in yellow.
What guarantee is there that construction costs do not exceed the proposition amounts?
School districts throughout New York are required by law not to exceed the proposition amounts approved by voters. Construction escalation is factored into the project budget and as phases are bid out and constructed, scope and bid acceptance decisions are made accordingly.
Can we wait to address the items included in the 2024 proposed FCSD Capital Project?
Based on our Building Condition Survey (BCS) performed by Young and Wright Architectural, delaying the work proposed in the 2024 Capital Project would result in further deterioration of items that require immediate attention or replacement. We are following the recommendation from Young & Wright Architectural who used their expertise in this area to provide solid recommendations for the greater good of the district and all involved.
Why doesn’t FCSD use these funds to maintain our staff or programs?
Under New York State law, the district cannot borrow money to fund personnel or other operational costs. However, money can be borrowed to invest in the modernization and improvement of learning spaces that better support students, faculty/staff, and the community.
Why not fund repairs and renovations through our regular annual budget?
As mentioned, large building projects such as roofs, plumbing, and structural renovations are too costly to include in a school district’s annual operating budget. Through a bond vote, we can borrow funds to be repaid with Building Aid that may only be used for Capital Projects and cannot be used for operational expenses. By spreading the cost over several years through a Capital Project, and maximizing available building aid, we can complete millions of dollars of essential repairs and renovations with less impact to the local taxpayer. If the work is not part of a voter-approved Capital Project, the District would be responsible for 100% of the costs.
You got this ladies!!! Best of luck as you take on Windsor tomorrow at 3 pm in Candor, NY.
Can't make it to the game? Catch the live stream here: https://highschoolsports.org/new-york/nysphsaa/section-6
Congratulations to Senior Elizabeth Pucci-Schaefer on her commitment to dive at Penn State!
https://www.observertoday.com/sports/local-sports/2024/11/pucci-schaefer-commits-to-dive-at-penn-state/
Why is the project divided into 3 propositions?
The propositions “chunk” the larger project into smaller, more digestible parts based on a general category and tier the cost of the project within each category, providing the local taxpayers with a degree of choice.
How was it determined what items were included in each proposition?
Proposition #1 represents work that needs to be done to keep our district running smoothly and safely from a facilities perspective. This upkeep is essential to us maintaining and protecting our investments in our district buildings and keeping our students and adults warm, safe, and dry. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the cost associated with this proposition is paid for by Building Aid, resulting in a lower tax impact on taxpayers.
Proposition #2 represents work that enhances our instructional Music program, promotes the quality delivery of curriculum, and adapts to the increasing number of students participating in our Music course offerings. Without larger instructional spaces, we may need to limit participation and cap enrollment based on the current available space. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the cost associated with this proposition is paid for by Building Aid, resulting in a lower tax impact on taxpayers.
Proposition #3 represents a multi-use artificial turf field at the Main Campus, improving our current athletic fields and creating the safest playing surface possible for several sports. Without improvements, our student-athletes will continue to play on the grass surfaces that several student-athletes, coaches, parents, and community members have expressed safety concerns about. It also includes resurfacing of tennis courts which need repair. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of the cost associated with this proposition is paid for by Building Aid, which results in an increased tax impact on our local taxpayers because the total amount of work exceeds the Maximum Cost Allowance (MCA) for the total amount of site or outdoor work at the Main Campus. The portion of the total amount that exceeds the MCA is not aidable. The MCA is set by the NYS Education Department and is not controlled by our district.
Congratulations to Sophomore Trenton Krenzer as he represents Fredonia High School and Section VI the NYSPHSAA Cross Country Champions ships this Friday, November 16 at Queensbury High School!
