Scottsville, N.Y. - The Wheatland-Chili School District says its buildings need upgrades.
Superintendent Deborah Leh calls it maintenance.
She compares the school repairs to those one would need for their home.
“Much of the work is behind the scenes and some of it you wouldn't notice until it breaks down,” Leh said.
Proposition One consists of $5.91 million dollars in repairs to T.J. Connor Elementary School, Wheatland-Chili High and Middle School as well as the bus garage.
Leh says the projects will mainly focus on renovations to existing buildings, health and safety, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Toilet room facilities to make sure they’re in compliance so that if someone is in a wheelchair they’ll be able to enter the facility as well as reach the sinks,” Leh said.
The project also calls for electrical and energy efficient upgrades, which the district says will cut costs in the long run.
The district is also exploring the idea of Proposition Two, installing a $1.8 million artificial turf field within the district.
“One of the benefits would be our students would be able to be on the artificial field for a longer period of time during the school year,” Leh said.
The exact location of the field will be determined if the proposal passes.
The field would cost taxpayers, but the school district is looking at the possibility of leasing it for revenue.
Scottsville resident Vincent Rubert says he understands that there are some taxpayers who are concerned about the tax increase, but he sees the projects as an investment.
“I look at it as if we invest in the community, we'll continue to keep our houses assessed where they need to be, maybe even more so we want to bring in new families as well,” Rubert said.
Another Scottsville resident, Brian Schroeder is somewhat undecided.
He says he supports upgrades to school facilities, but worries what impact having an artificial turf field will have on the community, if the district does decide to lease it to outside parties.
“What will this do in terms of traffic conditions or bringing in people into an area that might somehow result in security concerns?” Schroeder wonders.
The district says if Proposition One is approved, there won't be any increase to local tax rates.
If Proposition Two passes, residents will see an increase, for example; the total increase on a $100,000 home is $93 over 15 years.
If Proposition One does not pass, the turf field project cannot move forward.
