MacArthur School Rebuild Vote Set for April

A date is set for a vote on proposed plans for rebuilding the MacArthur Elementary School on the Southside of the City of Binghamton, which was destroyed in the 2011 flood.

Binghamton City School District officials presented plans for the project to residents at a public meeting March 27th. The proposal calls for a new 120,000 square foot facility to be constructed above the 500 year flood plain and includes several environmental-friendly innovations like solar panels.

The vote is scheduled for April 15th following a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 8th at 164 Hawley Street.

The district needs 60 percent of the vote to be affirmative in order to be able to go ahead with the project.

A portion of the cost of the rebuild is covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency funding. A little under $3 million of the costs would have to be covered locally. If approved, the project would add about $6 onto the average school tax bill.