Sharon Springs Central School hopes to join the list of schools cashing in on New York State’s EXCEL grants.
Architect Bill Bateman is working on a contract for SSCS that would include identifying potential problems that would likely qualify for the EXCEL grant—money that will be lost if the school doesn’t use it.
“It’s a gift certificate—not a coupon that you have to buy something to be able to use,” said Business Manager Tony DiPace of the EXCEL money.
“Taxpayers have already paid for it. If we don’t use it, we lose it.”
EXCEL money must be used on things like building infrastructure and security; it can’t go to curriculum.
Possible projects at SSCS include replacing the playground because of safety issues and addressing security concerns inside the school.
SSCS has been allocated about $350,000 through EXCEL.
Mr. DiPace said many districts are using their EXCEL money to leverage large building projects, but SSCS has decided against that.
Voters still have to approve any EXCEL projects; SSCS is looking at a spring vote and if voters approve, work could start almost immediately.
“We want to make it really clear that this is taking the taxpayers’ money back,” said Karen Cookson, school board president.
“This is something we’ve already paid for.”