Groton school district plans for capital project

As the 2021-22 academic year began for Groton Central School District, Superintendent Margo Martin kicked off a day of professional development and required trainings for all faculty and staff Sept. 7 by first welcoming everyone back and acknowledging years of service to the district in five-year increments.

Martin then gave an overview of the proposed capital project that the district and the Board of Education (BOE) have been discussing and planning over the past several months through engagement with two separate stakeholder groups to elicit community input — one for Ross Field and one for the Groton Elementary School (GES) Science Learning Center.

In addition to these special projects, other proposed work would include capital project needs based upon the required five-year building condition survey information from June 2020.

“All that we do is first measured by our district’s mission, vision and core beliefs, always starting with the first core belief: ‘students are our first priority. No exceptions,’” Martin said. “Recognizing our responsibility to provide a safe environment for our students that promotes family and community involvement, the district is designing infrastructure work that includes a new roof on the bus garage, new pavement and repairs to the existing infrastructure in both buildings, in addition to new drainage, playing surface, lighting and outbuildings at Ross Field. In doing so, our goal is to provide a facility that can be utilized by several of our athletic teams and community groups alike.”

BOE member Sam Rose, who is also a community member and member of the Ross Field stakeholder committee, said he remembers when Ross Field was part of a capital project referendum in 2015 that was defeated.

“I was one who was against the last project because I was a football player for Ithaca High School in my younger years and was of the opinion that football was meant to be played in the mud,” Rose said. “Since sitting on this committee and being able to hear presentations from other schools who have turf fields, I am now absolutely in favor of it.”

Rose also mentioned his added delight that having a turf field can be used in “so many ways by so many different areas of the school district and the community and that we can do it without raising any taxes for it.”

Rose has grave concerns about Ross Field as it is now, as do many who are familiar with its downfalls. Stay tuned for future articles here in this column that will explore some of those issues.

Martin also spoke about the proposed expansion of initiatives around STEAM to the elementary level.

“We recognize the need to build student passion for science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) starting at a young age,” Martin said. “That project would involve renovating part of the GES basement into a science learning center for students to receive innovative project-based learning in the areas of science and math in a way that encourages exploration and discovery, hands-on learning and problem-solving, while building a love for STEAM.”

The proposed phase 1 of the project would take place in summer 2022 and would include the renovation of Ross Field into a multipurpose sports complex, site work at GES for a baseball field and minimal inside work at GES and the Jr./Sr. high school.

Phase 2 of the project would commence in summer 2023 with new pavement at various parking lots, the new roof at the bus garage, other necessary infrastructure work as identified through the five-year building conditions survey and the new science learning lab in the GES basement.

“Over the past few years, the BOE has established capital reserve funds to offset any local share costs of this project,” Martin said. “Therefore, it would come at no additional cost to taxpayers. In other words, a 0% tax levy increase. Debt service will remain stable as we have a capital project rolling off at the end of 2022-23 as the new project would roll on.”

Throughout the fall, the district will be sharing the design, timeline, budget and overview of all work via e-newsletters; public presentations at BOE meetings and other locations; home mailings; visual displays at school events such as open houses, plays and athletic contests; and of course, right here in “Groton on the Inside”!

The 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 BOE meeting will include a presentation by Ashley McGraw, the district’s architectural firm, and the BOE will have the complete proposal presented for its approval at a BOE meeting in October.

“Although the date has not been finalized, we anticipate putting the public referendum forth for a vote the week of Dec. 6,” Martin said.

In the meantime, please feel free to contact Martin at (607) 898-5301 should you have any questions about the scope of the work.

Groton on the Inside appears weekly. Submit news ideas to Linda Competillo, lmc10@cornell.edu or (607) 227-4922.

In brief: 
 
Chicken at the Legion

The Groton American Legion Post 800 will offer its “Famous Chicken Barbecue” once again Sept. 25, beginning at 10 a.m. until sold out.
Chicken dinners include a half chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll and a brownie for $10. Chicken halves only are $8 each. To pre-order, call (607) 898-3837.

Library news

The Groton Public Library Book Club is back to meeting in person, and its next meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 will be held in the GPL’s new great room. This month’s book is “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles.

The GPL continues to partner with Friendship Donation Network to offer free, healthy food every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until gone, but beginning Sept. 14, the food giveaway will transition to the library’s new addition for in-person selection of the food. Please bring your own bags and use the side entrance.

GPL’s September hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Curbside pickup is still available by calling (607) 898-5055 during open hours.

Groton election district change

Per the Tompkins County Board of Elections, there will no longer be voting at the West Groton Church. Those who customarily vote at the church will now vote at the Groton Town Hall on Conger Boulevard.