Ron Kessler of LaBella discussed a project that will be split into three propositions and added to the district budget vote in May.

Proposition Two is the most extensive. It includes an office addition at the junior/senior high school, resurfacing of the track and the football field, and auditorium, cafeteria and media center renovations. The proposition also covers work on the junior/senior high school cafeteria, reconfiguring of parking areas at School 3, School 7 and the middle school, and a classroom addition at School 7. Proposition Two would cost $53.3 million.

Proposition Three would add lighting to the baseball and softball fields and tennis courts. All three would get resurfaced, the fields with synthetic turf. Erection of a toilet room building for the athletics area is also planned. Proposition Three would cost $5.3 million.

Proposition Four is to put in air conditioning at all district classrooms. That would cost $24.9 million.

OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Ron Kessler of the LaBella engineering firm, right, talks about a proposed Dunkirk City School District capital project Wednesday. Looking on are Board of Education President Ken Kozlowski (left) and Superintendent Michael Mansfield.

Propositions Two and Three would not bring a tax increase to district voters, but Proposition Four would lead to an estimated tax hike of 1.2%.

The district plans to spend down a sizable capital reserve for the projects.

Superintendent Michael Mansfield said Proposition Two must pass before Propositions Three and Four can be enacted. Similarly, Proposition Four is dependent on the approval of Propositions Two and Three.

Tim Abbey, district buildings and grounds coordinator, said construction of all the projects should take about six years, from 2025-31.

Mansfield said the junior-senior high school office addition would allow the district to put in a secure entry vestibule at the site. It would allow people to enter district offices without actually entering the school.

Kessler said the 10 new offices in the addition would put administrative staff “on the right side of security. The addition would also free up space for teaching, he added.

District voters will vote on all three propositions during the annual budget and Board of Education vote May 21.