Brewster Central School District Bond Referendum
Vote October 9, 2009

On October 9th, Brewster Central School District residents will go to the
polls to vote on two bond propositions for capital improvements to District
facilities. The two propositions are:

Proposition 1: Modernization at H.H. Wells Middle School

Instructional Space Improvement. The facilities at Wells Middle School are
undersized and substandard for today's instructional program. The proposal
includes a new Science classroom addition, providing 8 new classrooms and
support spaces. This addition will add sufficient area to allow for major
renovations in the existing building to right-size the currently undersized
classrooms and eliminate the use of modular classrooms outside the building.
In addition, major program areas would be enlarged to relieve
overutilization of existing spaces, including PE, music, the library and
cafeteria. Reorganization of the building would allow for separation of
public areas as well as special subjects from core educational functions,
and existing circulation problems would be corrected.

Building Infrastructure. Many of the basic building systems and finishes -
roofs, windows, heating, ventilation, floor and ceiling finishes - are
original to the 1957 building or are inefficient and contribute to greater
energy consumption and maintenance costs to the District than need be. Most
of the building will be touched by proposed infrastructure upgrades. These
are necessary improvements that will need to be completed one way or another
in order to preserve the building, improve safety and increase operational
efficiency and cost savings over time.

Proposition 2: Synthetic turf athletic field and bleachers at the District
campus

Community Assets. Brewster is one of only a handful of local school
districts that currently does not have a synthetic turf playing field. The
construction of a multipurpose synthetic turf field for competition,
practice and community use will provide Brewster with equivalent facilities
to other schoo! districts in its conference division, will extend playing
time for all field sports, and relieve the pressure on existing, overtaxed
natural grass fields. Our athletic facilities serve the needs of thousands
of students and residents every day. This will be a tangible year-round
recreational asset for everyone in our community. The project includes the
field, home and visitor bleachers and lighting. It also includes some
safety-related infrastructure repairs at the High School which need to be
performed and also help provide State financial support for the fields
project. In addition, clock and public address system upgrades, as well as
server room improvements are included at BHS.

Why are these projects needed?
Improvements will help Brewster Schools maintain the high quality of the
District, thereby preserving the investment the community has made in its
school facilities. The quality of a school district directly impacts the
value of every home.

Proposition 1

. The District is struggling to maintain its excellent educational standards
in a facility that is not up to the same standard. The project will remake
the building so that it can continue to serve the District for the next 50
years and meet the needs of the educational program.

. Most of the infrastructure upgrades will be inevitable in the next few
years. Cost savings realized from improved energy performance will be
reflected in future operations and maintenance costs. Completing this work
now also saves money later by avoiding cost escalation and potential
interest rate increases.

Proposition 2

. The existing natural turf fields have significant use limits, due to the
need to provide rest and recovery. Synthetic turf fields have no inherent
limitation on use, thus dramatically extending playing time. The
availability of a synthetic turf field, lighting and bleachers benefits not
only students but the town recreation department and all community
residents.

. The District will receive a generous $1.2 million in grant and donated
funding for this project. Together with State building aid, the cost to
taxpayers is almost negligible.

What is included and what is the cost?

Proposition 1

. 17,000 square foot science addition new entrance canopy rightsized
classrooms improved circulation expanded space for special subjects and
programs major infrastructural upgrades to building finishes, heating,
ventilation, and electrical systems air-conditioning in many areas

$ 25,650,000
Average Southeast Patterson homeowner tax impact: $100 per year

Proposition 2

. 205' x 360' synthetic turf field accommodating football, soccer, field
hockey and lacrosse two sets of bleachers with press box field lighting
scoreboard lacrosse netting High School infrastructure work includes clock
and PA system upgrades and server room air conditioning

$ 3,475,000
Average Southeast Patterson homeowner tax impact: $8 per year