Voters approved the Cheektowaga Central School District's $16.4 million capital project in a 283 to 42 vote on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The project will accomplish multiple objectives to address enrollment growth at Union East Elementary School.

The Capital Improvement Project webpage contains more information including the project overview, scope of work and newsletters. 

The project at Union East Elementary School focuses on three areas:

• Improved safety and security for students with a new secured main entrance/foyer and new fire alarm system with voice evacuation. Site safety improvements include additional site lighting, new security fencing, a new perimeter fire access road, an expanded student/visitor drop off loop and additional staff/visitor parking.
• Additions and renovations to address increased enrollment include new prekindergarten, kindergarten and special education classrooms. Improvements will be made in the cafeteria to create efficiency and the school office will have a new centralized location.
• Additions and renovations to support student achievement and instruction include creation of a gross motor skill room, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) area within library media center, Academic Intervention Services and a speech, occupational, and physical therapy suite.

“Due to exponential growth and our enrollment numbers exceeding prediction over the last 10 years, this plan will create the best space possible for our youngest children,” said Cheektowaga Central School District Superintendent Mary Morris. “The district has been studying this need and has called upon experts in the field of architecture and planning to collaborate with us in designing a solution. It will provide an addition to Union East Elementary School that is desperately needed and one our families deserve.”

The state will cover 68% of the project costs. The owner of an average home in the district assessed at $100,000 would pay $3.93 with an Enhanced STAR with Veterans Exemption, $6.81 with Enhanced STAR, $10.72 with Basic STAR with Veterans Exemption, $13.61 with Basic STAR and $18.87 with no exemption.