Owego Apalachin Elementary School Financing is Approved

It will still be another two years before children in the Owego Apalachin school district will able to move back in their own elementary school.  But voters yesterday approved the borrowing component of funding the reconstruction of the school that was destroyed in the 2011 flood by an 80 percent margin.

District officials say even with the borrowing of $9.6 million, there will be no tax increase since the money will be repaid through state aid.

The vote yesterday dealt with the issuing of serial bonds, which passed in a vote of 684 to 170 while the second proposition authorized the school to spend money from its capital reserve.  That measure passed by an 81 percent majority with a vote of 690 to 166.

The board of education is expected to certify the results during its Thursday morning.

The old school has been demolished in preparation for the construction of a new facility, that will be larger and have upgraded equipment.

The district hopes to have the new school ready for students for the 2015 school year.

Ever since the flood, students have been bussed fairly long distances to other facilities in neighboring Broome County. Owego Apalachin District Superintendent, Dr. Bill Russell says that arrangement has been a stress on students and staff.

Once the votes are certified by the board of education, the district is looking to have construction getting underway in November.