Pelham board narrows bond planning to revised Siwanoy addition, advances high-school science wing study

Pelham Union Free School District officials on Feb. 26 advanced a streamlined facilities plan that keeps most of Siwanoy Elementary School’s historic footprint while adding classroom space and a new cafeteria, and reviewed a multi‑floor science addition at the high school as part of a possible bond proposal.

The board signaled consensus to continue developing “Option B” for Siwanoy — a plan that shifts a proposed classroom addition to the rear‑right corner of the campus, preserves much of the existing outdoor play area, and locates a new cafeteria under the gym — and asked architects and the district’s construction manager to refine cost, tax‑impact and staging details ahead of a work session next Monday.

Why it matters: The Siwanoy changes are expected to be a central element of any upcoming bond referendum and will shape construction staging, neighborhood impacts and estimated tax increases for local homeowners. Board members said preserving the school’s historic appearance and limiting disruption to neighbors were high priorities in selecting the revised Option B.

What the board heard and decided - Staff from architecture firm KG&D (Walter Hauser and Sarah Dursa) and construction manager Triton Construction (Kevin Sawyer) presented updated designs informed by recent community information sessions and building tours. The revised Siwanoy concept moves the classroom addition closer to the building’s right side to keep the principal play area intact, adds eight classrooms in the new wing, and proposes a basement cafeteria under the gym to create a larger assembly/gathering space without enlarging the addition’s footprint. - Walter Hauser told the board the team is pursuing stormwater strategies on site that would reduce impervious…