Pelham Board reviews $28M–$127M capital options for schools, zeroes in on Siwanoy and high school lab needs

Pelham Union Free School District officials and architects presented a range of refined capital-project options at a Jan. 28 work session, focusing on infrastructure repairs, air-conditioning strategies and two contrasting approaches for Siwanoy Elementary School and Pelham Memorial High School additions.

District architects from KG&D—Russ Davidson and Walter Hauser—walked the board through options that, together with district-wide infrastructure work (roofing, windows, masonry, heating-plant upgrades), produce total program scenarios ranging from roughly $92 million to more than $127 million depending on which additions and renovations are included. The presentation also examined ground-source (geothermal) heating and an estimated federal investment tax credit tied to those systems.

The discussion matters because the district expects about $65 million in debt to roll off the tax levy in the coming years, creating capacity to fund capital work with a smaller net tax impact—if the Board and voters approve a bond. District officials framed the session as an iterative step to refine concepts and budgets before public engagement continues over the next weeks and months.

Architects summarized site- and building-level feedback gathered since earlier presentations and community meetings. For Siwanoy Elementary, options ranged from a…