QUESTION
What are the set cost caps for school construction and updates on the 2020 census data impact?
2:24:25
·
3 min
The School Construction Authority (SCA) provides clarification on state reimbursement rates, cost caps for school construction, and updates regarding the 2020 census data.
- Cost caps are set at approximately $40,000 per elementary seat, $63,000 for middle and high school seats, and $125,000 for special education seats.
- New school construction receives about 29% reimbursement from the state due to cost caps, and renovations to existing facilities receive about 57%.
- The SCA has been in talks to discuss increasing the receipt of building aid and adjusting the formula for reimbursement rates.
- The 2020 census data was received late, affecting the update for public school planning ratios; the SCA is working with city planning to update the housing multipliers.
- The updated information from the 2020 census impacting school planning is expected in May 2024.
Rita C. Joseph
2:24:25
In a statement to the class size working group, SCA have said they now only received 25% reimbursement for new school construction from the state because of cost cap while receiving about 50% from other capital expenses.
2:24:36
Could you explain the following at what level?
2:24:39
Is this cost cap set?
2:24:41
And when did the city exceed it?
2:24:43
Begin to exceed it?
Nina Kubota
2:24:47
So I think we're referring to building aid, and I think right now the maximum the New York City Costs are kept at about $40,000 per elementary general education seat, 63,004, Middle And High School general education seat and 125,000 for special education seat.
2:25:09
So it is a complex created formula.
2:25:12
I don't know the last time those caps were changed.
2:25:16
I think it's been some time now.
2:25:18
So the way it ends up working out is for new construction.
2:25:22
And again, it's received back, amortized over 30 years.
2:25:26
So it's not like we get it right back.
2:25:27
Right?
2:25:28
So and so it's about 29% for 28% for new buildings.
2:25:36
And for renovations to existing facilities, it's about 57%.
Rita C. Joseph
2:25:41
When did the city begin to exceed it?
2:25:44
Do you know?
Nina Kubota
2:25:46
I don't know.
2:25:46
I I mean, with those numbers, I I would say it's been quite some time.
Rita C. Joseph
2:25:51
Did you said the formulas old has anyone asked for the formula to be recalculated?
Nina Kubota
2:25:57
I think we we've been in discussion about how to better receive funding back from from building aid and and, you know, I I think we'd love to talk to to you and and others about the best way to approach it.
2:26:14
But, yes, we we are supportive and we love your support in in increasing receipt of more building aid.
Rita C. Joseph
2:26:24
What why hasn't the multiplier that you use to estimate how many new seats is the projected public school ratio base is based on the 2010 census data along with housing units built in October 31 2020 why hasn't the multiply been updated in the most recent census and housing data?
Nina Kubota
2:26:46
Actually, we didn't receive 2020 census data until this past summer.
2:26:53
Mhmm.
2:26:53
And and so we've been working with and I think I mentioned it a little bit earlier, city planning, who actually took over the calculations of housing multipliers a few years back, I think, in about 2019.
2:27:05
So we've been talking to them about, okay, you've had it for a few months now, how quickly can you turn it around.
2:27:11
So we're working very closely with them to make sure that we get the latest housing multipliers.
2:27:16
Again, we just received the 2020 or they also just received the 2020 census data just a few months ago.
Rita C. Joseph
2:27:24
So when we will be seeing the updated information, what's the timeline on that.
Nina Kubota
2:27:28
I don't know that we received any time frame from city planning.
2:27:34
Okay.
2:27:35
Yes.
2:27:36
May.
Rita C. Joseph
2:27:37
In May?
2:27:37
Yes.
2:27:38
May of 2024?
2:27:39
Yes.
2:27:41
Thank you.
2:27:51
We are good.