Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District updates community on $98 million bond, bus garage reserve and project limits
Summary
District staff reported progress on multi‑phase facility upgrades funded by a recently passed $98,000,000 bond and a $26,000,000 capital reserve for a transportation/facilities (bus garage) project, and warned that New York State 'maximum cost allowance' caps will delay some work until 2026.
Superintendent Dr. Rosser introduced a capital‑improvement update on June 4 that was presented by Kevin Sawyer of Triton Construction and Dave Hunsberger of CPL Architects. The presenters summarized completed phases (roofing, digital signs, widespread restroom renovations) and ongoing work in phase 3 (interior door replacement, unit ventilator and HVAC installs, innovation labs) and previewed phase 4 and phase 5 work.
Presenters said the program included security vestibules and key‑card access upgrades, auditorium and pool improvements, a new elevator for the Jane Bolin building, and ceiling and floor replacements where funds remain from the $98,000,000 bond. They identified a separate $26,000,000 capital reserve intended for the district’s bus transportation/facilities building and said that design had been completed and submitted to the state education department for permitting.
The presenters warned the board that a state 'maximum cost allowance' (MCA) — a cap that limits what the district may spend on projects per school over a five‑year window — is constraining work at Smith, Clinton and Warren schools. "We're running up against that cap at Smith, Clinton, and Warren," one presenter said; as a result, some planned work will be delayed until the MCA resets in 2026. They also noted that the pool at the high school will be taken offline in spring 2026 after the season to complete renovations.
Board members asked about impacts to scheduling, supply‑cost risk, and whether contingency funding would cover increases. Presenters said construction contingency funds exist and they do not currently anticipate funding gaps but acknowledged the risk that supplies could become more expensive if work is deferred. The board asked to place the MCA impact on the capital improvement committee agenda for a fuller report at a future meeting.
No board vote was required on the capital update; trustees thanked the presenters and asked for follow‑up reports to committees about scheduling and cost implications.
