$33 Million Albany School Referendum to be Decided on by Voters Tuesday

ALBANY - The Albany school district is bringing a $33 million bond referendum to voters on Tuesday.

If passed, the money will be used to update school security, add more parking, add more gyms, expand classroom space, build a new 800-seat auditorium and create more community space.

About 25 percent of the money would be used to enhance security. Upgrades would be made to buildings to better control the entry areas and move offices towards the entrances.

Greg Johnson is the superintendent of Albany schools and says they've run into space concerns due to growing enrollment. Projections show the district growing around 15 percent between 2008-2009 and 2020-2021.

To relieve overcrowding, portable classrooms have recently been brought in for Avon and Albany Elementary schools at a cost of $115,000 per year.

"We've put some portable classrooms on our elementary school, we leased some space at a local church. That's worked for a little while but it's not the long term solution for our school district," Johnson says.

There are three buildings in the district, two elementary K-6 buildings and one seconday school for grades 7-12. If the referendum passes the district would move 6th grade to the secondary school building, which would create more elementary space.

If the referendum passes, the owner of a $150,000 home can expect to pay an additional $120 in taxes per year.

Johnson says he feels the money would end up benefiting the entire community, adding if the referendum passes, about $6.2 million in donations from local businesses will also go towards the plan.

"It's never fun to propose raising taxes for residents but considering the needs we have with growth, limited space and the opportunity of donations-we really think it's a good plan and opportunity."

You can learn more about the referendum by clicking here.