Binghamton plan to rebuild Roosevelt Elementary: $54M budget, student moves to Calvin Coolidge, aim for August 2027 occupancy

District officials and the project architect presented detailed plans for the Roosevelt Elementary renovation and addition and a timeline that would put students in the new building for the 2027–28 school year.

Architect Greg of CS Large showed renderings and floor plans for a two‑story brick addition that replaces an existing three‑story classroom wing, clusters classrooms by grade with 'learning commons,' adds two fenced playgrounds for pre‑K and kindergarten, creates a new parent drop‑off loop and additional parking, and locates a new library with about 45–50 seats in the addition. Greg said the exterior will use brick to match the existing building and highlighted interior design features such as acoustic panels, interactive display walls, flexible small‑group seating and a visible learning commons for each grade cluster.

The district stated a project budget of $54,000,000 to deliver the plan. The architect outlined the permitting and procurement schedule: submit for building permit (about a two‑month review with State Education Department), advertise bids in February–March, seek award at the April board meeting and begin on‑site work before school lets out, with the stated goal of substantial completion and occupant readiness by August 2027 and final closeout into early 2028. "We're hoping to get out to bid, bidding in February, March so we can, hopefully, award it for April board meeting and then get right into construction," Greg said during the presentation.

Superintendent staff described an operational transition plan for students, staff and families. A cohort of Roosevelt students will be assigned to Calvin Coolidge next fall; students residing at the Carlisle Apartments were identified as about 0.8 miles from Roosevelt and about 1.2 miles from Calvin Coolidge and will receive busing under the proposal. Remaining Roosevelt students will be split among Woodrow Wilson and Forest Lane, with boundary lines to be finalized and communicated in January. The district will hold informational meetings for families in February–March and again in late May/early June to provide bus stop information and to invite family input. School staff relocation planning will include a faculty survey and a transition team with K–2/3–5 teacher representatives and central office staff.

Officials said staff will attempt to preserve neighborhood groupings and minimize families having children assigned to multiple schools. The superintendent noted that scope reductions were made during design (for example, combining some grade commons) to keep the project within the announced budget. The district also warned that changes in regional building codes or unforeseen construction market conditions could affect costs and schedule.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: the district intends to submit the building permit application; follow the procurement timeline for bidding in February–March; seek board award of contract in April; and continue the transition communications and faculty relocation planning through spring 2026. The board scheduled a future update on the Roosevelt Transition Project for its regular December meeting.