Warwick-Voters will decide on a $13.8 million school improvement project this Thursday, which has no tax impact).  

The proposal will provide funding for infrastructure improvements in four schools, including the expansion of the multi-sport natural grass playground and the new high school runway, the replacement of secondary school ventilators, the new roof of Sandfordville Elementary School and the Window Elementary School on Park Avenue. 

The referendum is scheduled to be held on December 2. The voting time is from 7 am to 9 pm. The polling point finder is located on the school district website: warwickvalleyschools.com

Warwick Referendum 2019: Proposal to upgrade schools without taxpayers paying any fees

Funding local projects: millions of dollars awarded by the Regional Economic Development Council

A park for everyone: Woodbury’s new sensory park caters to different needs

Keith Parsons, chairman of the Education Committee, said that according to the school building condition survey, the windows, roof and ventilation system have reached the end of their useful life, so replacement and maintenance are considered necessary. Expand the natural grass sports field into a multifunctional sports field that can accommodate more sports activities and events.  

Funding for the project will come from a state aid of US$8.8 million and a reserve fund of US$5 million. 

Parsons said that the proposal is a revised version of the proposal made in 2019. According to the school district’s website, the school district proposed a $14.9 million capital project in 2019, but did not increase taxes, but was rejected by an overwhelming majority. Parsons said that they have heard a lot of feedback from the community. One of the major changes to this proposal is that they want to expand the sports field instead of building two artificial turf fields.  

Parsons said that due to the pandemic, the region has not proposed any capital projects in 2020. He pointed out that the board of directors is listening to the opinions of the community to plan a feasible capital project that meets the needs of the community.  

"I am very confident to put this matter before our taxpayers," Parsons said.