Capital Project Cornerstone 2026

The district is committed to our four cornerstones, and we believe our facilities and learning environments should reflect those values. This bond vote allows us to address critical facility needs and make improvements that support safe, modern, and effective learning spaces for our students and staff both now and in the future.

Importantly, this bond has a 0% tax impact on the community. By using a bond, the state covers a significant percentage of the project costs through building aid. If these same needs were addressed through the general budget instead, they would result in a substantial tax increase to local taxpayers. The bond vote is the most fiscally responsible way to invest in our schools while minimizing the impact on the community.

Every five years, the district is legally required to complete a certified Building Condition Survey (BCS), which provides a comprehensive inspection of our facilities, infrastructure, and major equipment. This process identifies items that have reached the end of their useful life and must be repaired or replaced to ensure continued safe and effective operation of our schools.

The work included in this project addresses critical needs such as replacing aging, end-of-life systems, maintaining secure and safe facilities for students and staff, and upgrading infrastructure to meet current standards. Improvements also include whole-house generators at school buildings to ensure continuity of operations and the safety of all occupants during power outages or emergency situations.

By addressing these needs proactively, the district is protecting its investment in school facilities, minimizing costly emergency repairs, and ensuring our schools remain safe, reliable, and supportive learning environments for years to come.

As student enrollment continues to increase, the district must ensure class sizes remain manageable and that all students have access to appropriate learning environments. Reopening Pine Hill Education Center will provide additional classroom capacity to relieve space constraints in our current buildings and support effective instruction.

The building will also allow the district to create specialized classrooms designed to meet specific instructional needs, including designated spaces for special education and related services. As the demand for these services continues to grow, having appropriate, purpose-built spaces is essential to meeting student needs and maintaining compliance.

By creating additional space at Pine Hill, the district can also convert and repurpose areas within our existing school buildings to better meet the needs of all students, ensuring classrooms and support spaces are used as intended.

This timing aligns with the conclusion of our current lease of the Pine Hill Education Center with BOCES, as they are relocating to a different facility. Reopening the building allows the district to responsibly repurpose a district-owned facility to support students while planning for continued growth.

The projects included in this proposal were identified through a thoughtful and comprehensive planning process. A primary driver was the Building Condition Survey (BCS), which highlights facility and equipment needs requiring immediate attention to maintain safe and functional school buildings.

In addition, the district’s annual safety survey conducted in collaboration with our School Resource Officer (SRO) helped prioritize projects that strengthen building security and emergency preparedness. The needs of all students were also a key consideration, with a focus on ensuring proper and appropriate classroom spaces and addressing the rising demand for instructional, support, and student service areas.

Finally, the district sought and incorporated input from staff, teachers, and administrators who work in the buildings every day. Their firsthand perspectives helped ensure that the selected projects are practical, necessary, and aligned with both current needs and future growth.

It is expected that the project will start in April 2027 with completion in December 2029.

If the project is rejected, parts of these costs will be funded through the general fund where no building aid will come from the state. Therefore, the local taxpayer will pay for the total cost of those items that need to be addressed, thus reducing the funds available for educational purposes.