[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5980042,"mediaKeyId","5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc","parentId",5766617,"title","District staff present $58.5 million capital plan, outline asbestos abatement, phasing and financing","audioSeconds",4563,"startMs",3056000,"endMs",7619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc&start=3056&end=7619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc/thumbnail_3056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980042/New-York/District-staff-present-585-million-capital-plan-outline-asbestos-abatement-phasing-and-financing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980042-c4d2c3172b3cfe355e5aba897b687de2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810950&Signature=ilypExW4HpQsMn0xe3ILnoKT5k3FGfXbWjmxUjbznaNlyE~cfp5JOcJ9fBNp5IzjyZbzlKF2CKk2a3Xr2GCc-q2mkmU2CtyI6rrsoSmxdCurDP5iLegqZcurDjET02DLrURw72qIVqoY1xcsgTiNHhE9MLngKXPXoaHw4TqdmKAyj3wv2elPwbWCYHkbz7Wk~P0S~buYb1I1Cfhzb9IMTbtHuTJ5xD4kM8QGBuZgrQVTVvCVddZVMPNBSlrnKV9RAOJYVaohXcWCExRbgGN1ENA5i2bILffOrE349nuO4rzNQwWJSaNpidsnbAcQxMpZ-7G0CiuXw2PtjEvtADUHjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","BCSD Events","date","2025-09-17T22:00:23Z","article","District facilities staff and the construction team presented a draft scope, cost estimate and phasing plan for a proposed capital project that prioritizes elementary classroom renovations, HVAC upgrades and other school facility work.
Nick, the district's facilities presenter, told the Board of Education the updated scope list contains 137 scope elements and a project estimate of $58,545,754. He said the work would be organized into bid packages and phases to increase contractor capacity and reduce schedule risk. \"This is a 3 year project due to the scope and complexity of the work,\" he said, explaining the district does not have the manpower or time to complete the full scope in only two summers. He outlined a two-package strategy so two general contractors and trade contracts could work concurrently.
A key focus is elementary classroom renovations. The presenters said several older buildings contain hazardous materials such as asbestos in ceilings, walls and some sink basins and that asbestos abatement is required before renovation. For example, Nick noted some rooms have hazardous coatings above an eight-foot line that must be removed, which increases demolition and re-build time. He described other code-driven issues such as hallway cubbies that currently intrude into classroom egress paths and must be reconfigured when rooms are renovated.
The consultants presented a block schedule that begins with pre-referendum design and, if approved, construction spanning 2027'229 (three construction seasons plus in-between work). Sample phase costs shown were roughly $26.0 million for one package and $17.1 million for the remainder of hard construction; Nick explained differences in those numbers reflect which elements are included in each bid package and that the total includes hard and soft costs and contingencies.
John McPhillips, speaking for the business office, presented financing assumptions: the district would apply about $16.6 million from a 2022 capital reserve and borrow roughly $41.9 million. He said projected principal-and-interest payments on that borrow, after applying the district's current building aid ratio of about 71.8 percent, are expected to be roughly budget-neutral compared with maturing debt. \"That $41,900,000 translates to just $55,600,000 in terms of both principal and interest over the course of what we're assuming will be a 15 year term,\" he said. He summarized that state building aid would offset much of the new debt service and that timing of borrowing will use bond anticipation notes and staged issuances.
Board members asked detailed questions about phasing alternatives, the potential for greater up-front funding to reduce disruption, abatement timing and whether construction could be scheduled when students are out of the building. Nick and the construction manager explained many abatement activities must occur when spaces are unoccupied or require containment and monitoring; abatement setups add fixed time and cost, so doing small batches could be less efficient. The presenters said doing more summers or smaller batches could reduce per-school disruption but would raise overall cost and extend the schedule.
The board did not vote on the capital proposition at the meeting. Administrators said the board will consider and likely adopt referendum language at the Oct. 8 meeting to meet statutory public-notice deadlines; if adopted on Oct. 8, a district vote could be held Dec. 2, with public notice requirements driving the schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCSD Board of Education meeting 9/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District facilities and construction staff told the Board of Education the proposed capital project would cost about $58.5 million and focus on elementary classroom renovations, HVAC upgrades and hazardous-material abatement, with financing planned through a capital reserve and debt issuance.","taxTitle","BETHLEHEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",57191,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980047,"Elementary art teachers outline standards-based, choice-centered K'5 curriculum",874,1102000,1976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc&start=1102&end=1976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","/articles/5980047/New-York/Elementary-art-teachers-outline-standards-based-choice-centered-K5-curriculum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980047-b979972275f95afb2d89a286f138ba74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810950&Signature=NWxirO04pbvn323mrWctUbAT7ROc0sqI4ukNSJ6tF425QvNSEhSXBH8w41woY4i4jGWWWHtPQniWOXlsTz11WV5gbkFNnzTrgfs~zhulSo5J4G-eRvtd2Z3XzKByq4Pnp2DdArBNPhmJwCJkU42OM3TsXzHA47ujgj-Q05v-1R1B5S1d8iA0JQrS5TXlbg-WusVG-s8h3Ykca8J4GLh2xF-Bf9KRztgodY87Xi0uXwvYoW6w01mM8~7Yjp80v4lkm3h5QsSFg9upb4gZyXDGCYgmBobTOvq1Ku0E-d~v~tGHGn9XA-cb1eY-VE8JPpjI~aF-u1F-LpTVXCqA61AYWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the board meeting, district arts staff presented the K'5 elementary art curriculum and methods for classroom instruction. Diana (art supervisor) introduced the history and standards context, and art teachers Emily Judah and Shana Viscione described classroom practice and examples.
Diana said arts education is formally recognized at the state and federal level and tied the curriculum to the adoption of national core art standards and the 2017 addition of media arts. \"The arts drive student success in academics, workforce readiness, wellness, and equity,\" she said, adding that the K'5 curriculum is standards-based and connects to math and literacy.
Teacher Shana Viscione read The Dot to the meeting and the presenters said the department uses choice-based projects, collaborative work and fine-motor skill development in kindergarten and early grades. The presenters described projects such as printmaking, quilling, weaving and architectural drawings, and noted a faculty show and student exhibition that displayed student work across the district.
The arts team highlighted that one high-school student'Riley McInerney'won the district high-school art contest and that Riley'now at Syracuse University'will be represented at the upcoming school boards association conference. Presenters said many art teachers are active beyond the district: Emily has presented at a national conference and Shana at the New York State conference.
Staff encouraged board members and families to attend arts events; they also noted the district's participation in National Arts and Education Week and International Dot Day. No formal action was taken on the presentation.
","District art staff described the K'5 elementary art curriculum, linked to state standards including the 2017 addition of media arts, and highlighted choice-based instruction, collaboration and social-emotional benefits for students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980052,"Consultant outlines multi-step plan to study school attendance zones, seeks public feedback",1048,1992000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc&start=1992&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766617-c40209ecbac12fcb5910023796bb46cc/thumbnail_1992000.jpg","/articles/5980052/New-York/Consultant-outlines-multi-step-plan-to-study-school-attendance-zones-seeks-public-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980052-387cff1aee6c3c2b9f7c1b9c9719a5ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810950&Signature=KD-orWGAaGMFHiOmzls0KSMAnWyB-7TwOXP4TfV9EjAQ50V0Pqv~266P9JxfqDKhSJDvLJ0k0ciz4wJ11u-St5kUfxVoi4Mf1SsSvc-6Tez5PuZfM1aR9CNvKnKqkm87fo~wKnod7we7RZ~OOzX3hm90NcRPn7MhAqJp3i9G7v~XNOg8vdqWkbzJU8YjeHBtnZGz~SlR7ir9oh1J4zJjCDs9em6XqwiXdFA31WZeWGWn~o6tD7FoxlH0~DqsFlVnGMSqMS-NCxWxs9Jq~poDFGi~Zy4F1glvuv7oGpDX7rREKH9u6r3Sf06Pr0KTfETEeeCKkjDiyITHuMIvoLuhow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, Tyler Technologies vice president and general manager Ted Thien presented the district's plan to study elementary attendance zones, saying the goal is to produce transparent, community-informed options for the board to consider.
Thien said the study responds to decade-long enrollment declines that now show signs of reversing, uneven building capacity, differences in where specialized programs are offered and transportation inefficiencies. \"There have been no decisions made about any potential changes in enrollment zones at this time,\" he said. \"The goal of the committee and the consulting team is to be incredibly intentional and transparent in the process that we're going to follow. We want to make sure that we get community feedback and community buy in into what we do.\"
Tyler's team described a four-step process: confirm updated enrollment projections, define neighborhood planning units, model options (including class-size scenarios) and present options to the public. The consultants said they will model class-size targets currently in the 18'0 range and show impacts for 20'2 and 22'4 students per class to illustrate trade-offs between class size, transportation and the extent of boundary changes. Timelines presented call for modeling in October, initial public feedback and committee sessions in November, and final recommendations to the board in December.
Thien introduced the consulting team members who will support modeling and transportation analysis, including Tim Ammon, Dr. Ross Haber, Doug Camlin and Jenny Densmore. He said the district also created a 28-member zone committee that includes administrators, building-level staff, teachers, parents and two high-school representatives to review options and priorities.
During questions, board member Catherine Neto asked whether the lab school follow-up committee had continued its work; others asked about how \"program equity differences\" are being handled. The consultants noted that some programs'for example English learner (EL) services and some special-education cohorts'are currently housed only in certain schools because that is where the majority of those students live and where critical mass makes operating the program feasible. \"E and L currently is only offered in three of our buildings and not five,\" a consultant said, adding the team will evaluate whether program distribution should change as boundaries are adjusted.
Board members and residents asked the team to provide multiple ways to participate in public feedback, including Zoom or other online options; Thien said the team will consider hybrid or multiple-format sessions to maximize reach. The timeline presented will return draft options to the board in November and final recommendations in December for the board's decision.
No formal action was taken on attendance zones at the meeting.
","Tyler Technologies presented the district's plan to analyze and model changes to elementary attendance boundaries, citing shifting enrollment, capacity imbalances and program distribution; committee will develop neighborhood planning units, model class-size scenarios and hold public feedback sessions before returning recommendations to the board.","actionData","errors"]

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District staff present $58.5 million capital plan, outline asbestos abatement, phasing and financing

Elementary art teachers outline standards-based, choice-centered K'5 curriculum

Consultant outlines multi-step plan to study school attendance zones, seeks public feedback