With its 1999 capital project complete, Cooperstown Central School has begun the process for its next capital improvements project.

CCS board members have signed a contract, in the amount of $7,500, with Bearch Compeau Knudson, architects and engineers, as consultants for the 2003 Capital Improvements Project.

The board of education has compiled a list of improvements that pertain to the state required 5-year rescue plan that focuses on rebuilding education in schools, said Mary Jo McPhail, Superintendent of Schools.

The list contains required items, as well as things we would like to do, she said.

James Collison, district business manager, explained that the list is a long one, including the repair of fuel tanks in the bus garage, window and roof repairs, and possible additions on the current gymnasium.

A board work session will be scheduled to determine the scope of the project, said McPhail.

"We need to determine where we would get the highest amount of aid and still get needs met," said McPhail.

"It is all very preliminary right now," said Walter Bennett, CCS building and grounds supervisor. Bennett described one of the required items being the replacement of two fuel tanks because of their age.

The school board will decide at some point during the school year how each project will be funded, said McPhail. It is unclear whether the replacing of the fuel tanks will be put in the budget for next year or in a capital project. The question remaining is "do we want to wrap these things up for a capital fund or just do the repairs out of the general budget? If [the tanks are] put in the general fund as a necessary repair, something else might not be done," said McPhail.

The determination of what will be included in the 2003 capital plan will be what we can get state aid on and what we can't, said Collison.

Bearch Compeau Knudson were the architects for the most recent capital project. Most of the work for the project was done in the summer of 2001, and was completed that winter.

The project consisted of renovations to the middle and high school.

Improvements were made to the auditorium, gymnasium and student lockers; athletic fields, such as bleachers and new baseball and soccer fields; and the purchase of computers and internet.

"The $2.7 million project is closed out. We have $45,000 left that we did not use," said Collison. He explained the money will be transferred into the general fund to reduce taxes.

The public will have the opportunity to vote on future projects during the next public hearing on the school budget or during the Capital Project Referendum, said McPhail.