Freeport high school renovations could cost up to $55M, raise taxes for years to come

Proposed renovations at Freeport Area High School would cost between $20 million and $55 million and result in tax increases for years to come, officials said.

The $20 million proposal would include upgrades to roofing, lighting, windows and heating and cooling, while the $55 million plan would also include sewage upgrades, a secure vestibule, new doors and more.

The stripped-back plan would require the district to phase in an additional $1.3 million in annual revenue, compared to $2.9 million for the more ambitious proposal, according to Director of Finance and Operations Bradley Walker.

Regardless of the outcome, property owners were warned to expect years of tax increases.

The state set this year’s maximum tax hike for school districts at 5.3%. That means, at most, the Freeport Area School District could tack on $1.1 million in annual revenue next budget cycle.

Walker noted the state will likely set a lower limit next year to account for cooling inflation.

Further complicating matters, the district is projected to spend $600,000 more than it took in this school year, so new revenue in 2025-26 would be split between operating costs and renovations.

“A one-year increase is not enough,” Walker said.

The district could exceed the tax index by applying for a referendum exception. In that case, voters in Freeport, Buffalo Township and South Buffalo would be asked on their primary ballots whether to approve a given tax increase dedicated to the high school project.

More than a dozen referendums have failed since the state implemented them in 2006, some by crushing margins.

Officials, however, already have publicly committed to foregoing a referendum this year.

The board had no plans to make a final call on renovations or taxes Wednesday.

In fact, it’s possible both options presented by HHSDR Architects and Engineers get scrapped after John Haven of the board’s building committee asked for a hybrid version.

“To me, (the cheaper plan) looks like we could possibly have a little more added in, put some lipstick on the school,” Haven said.

Vincent Ordinario, the firm’s president, offered a word of caution about this approach.

“What starts to happen with these partial renovations is you make them more elaborate … it’s going to entail more work in that room to the point where you may just want to renovate the entire room,” Ordinario said.

Asked to weigh in by the board, Maintenance Supervisor Eric Mailki said the $20 million proposal would extend the life of the building, which opened in 1961, but not for long.

“Sometime in the relative near future, you’re going to have other immediate needs that will need addressed. Casework is one that comes to mind — it’s falling apart,” Mailki said.

Noting struggles finding parts, he continued: “The equipment is 60 years old. Everything is wearing out.”

The district has spent around three years deciding what to do about the high school. As recently as April, officials pondered downsizing from four to three buildings, retrofitting an unnamed vacant building — even dropping $109 million on a new high school.

Officials hope to reach a decision within the next three months. The board meets next on Feb. 12.