GERMANTOWN–Voters in the Germantown Central School District rejected an $11.3-million capital improvement plan Tuesday. The final result of the vote on the proposition was 345 No votes to 312 Yes.
A release from the Board of Education issued Tuesday evening after the polling closed thanked the members of the volunteer Community Facilities Committee (CFC) for their nine months of work to study the school facilities and make recommendations to the board.
The recommendations were presented in October 2014 and board members approved holding the vote on the proposition in January 2015.
There was extensive discussion in the district about the proposal, and the district anticipated reimbursement from the state for 58% of the project’s cost. One of the most controversial parts of the plan was a 400-seat auditorium that would have cost over $6 million. Supporters said it would be a welcome upgrade to the school and an asset for the community, but opponents criticized the cost and the wisdom of building an auditorium at a time when enrollment continues to decline.
The board and district Superintendent Susan also thanked all of the residents who came to the school to vote.
The board is scheduled to meet March 18 and could indicate then whether members will consider a second vote on a modified proposition.