OCM BOCES Seeking Voter Approval For Several Capital Projects, Including Cortlandville Campus – Notes Growing Enrollment

OCM BOCES says planned capital projects, primarily to address aging infrastructure and classroom renovations, will go to voters on Wednesday, November 19th. OCM BOCES says capital improvements are planned for the McEvoy Building in Cortlandville off of Clinton Ave.

Jackie Wiegand, Marketing Coordinator for OCM BOCES, says classroom renovations will be at the Career & Technical Education (CTE) buildings in both Syracuse and Cortland. She also added their enrollments have been increasing and these improvements are the first step in addressing much-needed building improvements necessary to accommodate growth.

“Addressing these issues now helps us avoid larger, more expensive repairs down the road,” OCM BOCES District Superintendent Matt Cook, Ed.D., said. “More importantly, our students at OCM BOCES deserve to learn in safe and welcoming environments that can accommodate our growing needs.”

OCM BOCES says this is the first time in over 30 years that it is asking voters to approve a capital project aimed at addressing infrastructure, improving safety, and upgrading their facilities. Enrollment, in the past 5 years, has significantly increased in the CTE programs, growing by 30%.

To be eligible to vote, you must be 18 years of age or older, a US Citizen, and a resident in one of the 23 school districts for at least 30 days prior to November 19. Cook added in a release the increase in enrollment, despite a declining student population, is credited with the region’s expanding workforce needs in advanced manufacturing due to the arrival of companies associated with Micron.

The overall cost for the capital improvements is estimated at $30.5 million with 65% to be covered by state aid. The remaining 35% will be shared proportionately among OCM BOCES’ 23 component school districts based on student enrollment. You can find the tax impact for each district HERE.

Improvements at the Cortlandville campus include: gym renovations, a partial roof replacement, exterior wall system replacement, window replacement, elevator upgrades, security entry vestibule and office renovations, and several classroom renovations. The facility will also undergo 9 mechanical, electrical & plumbing upgrades. Those improvements can be found HERE.

Voting will take place on Wednesday, November 19th from 10am to 8pm at 1710 Route 13 in Cortland. School districts include: Cincinnatus, Cortland, DeRuyter, Homer, Marathon, McGraw, and Tully.