The School District of Niagara has two referendums on the ballot: $3,995,000 for facility improvements plus seeking permission to exceed its state-set annual revenue limits for four years.

The majority of the almost $4 million — $2,742,000 — would be used for infrastructure and capital maintenance, including HVAC and plumbing repair and replacement; roof and exterior wall repair to eliminate additional water damage; site improvements to better manage stormwater runoff; track resurfacing; and a new metal building for storage.

About $646,000 would go toward safety and security, such as security door stops for the classrooms, replacing bell and fire alarm systems and modifying access to the auditorium.

The final $607,000 would be used to create flexible spaces for collaboration, update the high school computer classroom, switch out furniture in learning spaces and purchase technology equipment.

The Florence County School District seeks approval Tuesday of an operational millage to allow the district to exceed its state revenue limit for the next four years. Similar multi-year referendums have been approved in the past.

If allowed to exceed its revenue limit, the district would see up to $250,000 more in 2020-21 and $500,000 annually for from 2021 to 2024.

If both referendums pass, property owners would pay $53 more for 2020-21 on a house valued at $100,000. This is a first time Niagara has attempted a referendum for operational expenses.

The Florence County School District is asking taxpayers to allow it to exceed its state revenue limits with a fifth operational referendum.

The district is projecting a roughly $300,000 deficit in its 2020-21 budget.

This referendum would replace the current three-year measure, but this time would be for four years, beginning fiscal year 2021-2022.

The mill rate for the 2020-2021 school year will remain the same as in 2019-2020 at 9.75 — or $9.75 per $1,000 of taxable property value, or $975 on a $100,000 home, said Ben Niehaus, district administrator.

The amount generated in the first year would be $1,250,000, the same as the expiring amount. That would increase to $1.3 million in 2022-23, $1.4 million in 2023-24 and $1.5 million in 2024-25.

“Although we are asking for increases in the second through fourth years, if property values continue to progress as they have in recent years for Florence County, the mill rate is projected to drop to 9.69, 9.59, 9.52 and 9.62 respectively,” he said.

This is the first time since 2005 the district is seeking to go above the $1.25 million annual threshold for its annual referendum, Niehaus noted.

“There isn’t an offering we provide that the board of education and the administration doesn’t deem essential for providing a strong, diverse academic foundation at the elementary school, while providing exploratory opportunities for high school students that attribute to all graduates being college or career ready per their selected pathway,” Niehaus said.

“Without the passing of this referendum to replace the current referendum, which is in its last year, very difficult decisions that will adversely impact students will have to be made during uncertain times.”

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.