Board places nearly $97M facilities project on May ballot after SEQRA clearance; board says project structured to avoid tax increase
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Summary
The board heard a facilities master plan proposing nearly $100 million in work across district buildings, found the action Type II under SEQRA, and unanimously approved bond and ballot resolutions to ask voters to authorize the project; officials said the plan leverages state building aid, NYSERDA funding and up to $9.3 million from capital reserves to avoid a tax increase.
The Albany City School District Board unanimously adopted a series of resolutions Thursday to put a capital‑project proposition on the May ballot after consultants presented a multi‑phase master plan for nearly $100 million in improvements.
Consultants from SEI outlined project pillars that include energy‑efficiency upgrades (leveraging a NYSERDA grant and an energy performance contract), districtwide safety and security improvements (secure vestibules, card access and perimeter monitoring), equity upgrades to auditoriums, cafeterias, gyms and playgrounds, and infrastructure work such as public address systems and selective roof replacements.
Board members and consultants emphasized funding mechanisms. The presentation showed a proposed aggregate maximum project cost near $97 million with a principal not to exceed approximately $88.7 million, and noted up to $9.3 million could be taken from the district's capital reserve fund. One slide identified roughly $26.47 million targeted for energy efficiency work; consultants told the board the scheme leans heavily on state building aid and grants to limit local share. "This is a nearly $100,000,000 proposal capital project with no tax increase," a presenter said during the overview.
Procedural step: the board first reviewed environmental requirements and concluded the proposed action is a Type II action under 6 NYCRR 617.5 and not subject to SEQRA review. The board then voted to adopt the SEQRA resolution and the related bond/resolution package, voting unanimously to place the proposition on the May ballot.
Board members praised the facilities committee and staff for months of work on scope and creative financing. Member Almunyawi said the package represents proactive modernization at no tax impact; member Savage said playground equity and the district's low leverage rate were long‑awaited priorities.
Next steps: if voters approve the proposition in May the district will proceed with the phased work plan and additional public outreach; presenters said some work will occur in later phases (through 2027) and that further building‑level stakeholder input will guide implementation.
