CANTON — Canton Central School will host a community forum (tonight) Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the high school Library at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the need for voters to approve additional funds to complete the district’s capital project.

Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the upcoming referendum vote requesting an additional $10.5 million to complete the capital project approved by voters in 2021.

The vote will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the high school library from noon until 8 p.m.

In May 2021, residents of the Canton Central School District approved a $27.5 million capital project to improve existing buildings and classroom spaces as well as athletic facilities. On Tuesday, February 14, voters will decide on an addition of $10.5 million to the project budget.

The project will address key health, safety and security measures in the district. The additional funds, which account for inflation and supply chain challenges faced since the original vote, will bring the project total to $38 million.

District residents that are not enrolled in the STAR program, will see an increase of $72.44 annually per $100,000. Residents with the STAR Program will see an increase of $50.71 in their annual taxes. Residents enrolled in the Enhanced STAR Program will see an increase of only $18.18 in their taxes per year.

The tax impact from the project is as follows:

• Without STAR per $100,000, $54.91 for previous project, $17.53 from additional $10.5M, new rate is $72.44.

• With STAR per $100,000, $38.44 for previous project, $12.27 from additional $10.5M, new rate is $50.71.

• With Enhanced STAR per $100,000, $4.40 from additional $10.5M, new rate is $18.18.

The project includes addressing athletic and community spaces. This entails creation of multi-purpose artificial turf field with lights, relocating the pool to high school athletic complex, renovating and expand the fitness center, relocating the high school locker rooms, relocating the concessions to provide interior and exterior services, and adding restrooms accessible from the outside.

Also, the bus garage will see the replacement of failing electrical and HVAC systems, and replace the fuel island.

Other work includes replacing kitchen and serving line equipment to meet ADA compliance, replacing elevator motors and mechanical components, a new parking lot on current soccer field, and reconstruction of all existing parking lots and driveways.

The project also includes relocating and renovation of CTE and STEM classrooms, remodeling of the current prop room into dressing for the auditorium, converting current pool space into band, chorus and music classrooms, updating the auditorium curtain control system, and updating auditorium lighting control systems.

Replacement of the remaining two domestic hot water boilers is also planned, as well as HVAC and plumbing upgrades.