Florida School officials explain $4,347,000 project re-vote

FLORIDA - Three months after residents in the Florida School District defeated a $4.83 million capital bond by 3 votes, school officials are offering voters a revised plan to pay for repairs and renovations to Golden Hill Elementary, the S.S. Seward Institute and the S.S. Seward Memorial Building on March 31. Florida school officials met Monday to outline the proposal, which now totals $4,347,000. The project was originally estimated at $9.5 million. But through community input, the bond was modified to $4.83 million. Voters defeated the proposal 204-201 on Dec. 11. Less than 14 percent of the 2,894 registered voters in the district went to the polls that day. The capital bond project will provide cover basic renovations and repairs in and around the grounds of the three buildings as well as to improving security within the buildings. There is a long list of things that Florida School District officials plan on updating. Some examples include removing and replacing the windows at the 1929, 1964, and 1968 sections of the S.S. Seward Institute. They also hope to replace deteriorated sidewalks around the building. At Golden Hill Elementary, they plan to update their security camera system. And at the Seward Memorial Building, install a new fire and smoke detection system. Past capital projects include the Memorial Building in 1990, the S.S. Seward Institute in 1995 and Golden Hill Elementary in 2001. Board members argue that if this project is defeated, they will have to add $500,000 in the school’s annual budget each year for the next ten years for the same maintenance and repairs. If the capital project is passed, work is slated to begin in spring 2009 and should be completed by fall 2010. Upcoming On March 25, there will be voter registration at 3 p.m. at S.S. Seward Institute. There will be another public information on the capital bond project on March 27 at 7 p.m. at Golden Hill Elementary. The re-vote for the capital project is scheduled to take place on March 31, starting at 6 a.m., in the Seward Music Room at S.S. Seward Institute.