Florida voters go to polls Tuesday for $4.8 million capital improvement

Florida — Voters in the Florida School District go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to approve a $4.8 million bond proposal for capital improvements at the two district schools — Golden Hill Elementary School and S.S. Seward Institute - and the S.S. Seward memorial. The projects include upgrades or replacements of windows, doors, bathrooms, electrical systems, lighting, sidewalks, drainage, a roof and boiler. A major facilities study was completed this year, according to the district, that established the priorities for the improvements. If approved, the bond will spread the cost over the next 15 years while allowing the district to do the work over the next year, completing all projects by 2009. By approving the bond, the district would also be eligible for the state Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL) grant and state building aid. Plans also include using $600,000 in capital reserve funds for the projects. What this means to taxpayers is an increase of $1.62 per $1,000 of assessed value in Warwick and 37 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in Goshen. For the average taxpayer in the district, it would total about $4 per month increase. The vote will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the music room at SS. Seward institute.