District proposes $24.5 million bond to convert Lewisboro Elementary into UPK center and community hub

The Katonah‑Lewisboro Union Free School District on March 12 detailed a $24.5 million proposal to renovate Lewisboro Elementary into a universal pre‑K (UPK) center with dedicated community access, with a public bond vote slated for May 19.

The board and H2M architects described a concept that would provide nine UPK classrooms (each with required in‑class bathrooms), a separate community entrance, repurposed cafeteria and library space for multipurpose and adult/community programs, and retained gym access. The district presented a projected timeline: board resolutions to post the bond and accept the SRA declaration on March 26, state and regulatory submissions in late spring or early summer, construction beginning late 2026 and targeted occupancy in September 2027, contingent on state education, environment, public‑health and historic‑preservation reviews.

Board members and architects said the project responds to state policy momentum mandating preschool for four‑year‑olds and to local demand: the district reported roughly 130 families expressing interest this year and estimated an eventual need to serve about 200 students annually. H2M emphasized design features required for early‑childhood programs, including classroom square footage, dedicated restrooms, egress and separate circulation to protect student safety while enabling daytime community use.

Architects and district staff presented the $24.5 million figure as an all‑in estimate that bundles hard construction costs with an approximately 35% allowance for soft/incidental costs (bonds, insurance, design, construction management, legal and testing). As an alternative to full renovation, they also presented a “do‑nothing” weatherization scenario estimated at roughly $7.5 million that would cover limited envelope and roofing work but not fully restore the facility for UPK use.

The district provided illustrative local cost impacts and funding assumptions: presenters cited current UPK reimbursement at about $5,400 per student and referenced state proposals to increase the per‑student figure toward $10,000; they told the board the state budget and final aid levels will determine the ultimate fiscal model. Officials offered example residential tax‑impact ranges used in public materials (transcript examples given: approximately $125/year in some towns up to $332/year in others) and said some costs could be offset by provider partnerships, tuition from other districts for specialized seats, and state building aid for eligible portions of the work.

Several board members pressed for specificity about aidability and timing; finance staff said aidability depends on project components, probable useful life and final state guidance, and that capital borrowing can be structured as a capital exclusion to limit near‑term levy impact. H2M noted the schedule is aggressive and dependent on multiple SED and regulatory reviews but believed regulatory review windows had shortened compared with prior years.

Public comment included two speakers who said the financial case needs scrutiny. Erica Glick, a preschool operator and parent, told the board current per‑student reimbursement would not sustain a high‑quality program and urged fiscal realism. Richard Scaren said renovating the closed campus for a nine‑classroom UPK did not appear the best use of $24.5 million given available unused district space and economic pressures on residents.

Next steps: the board expects to consider two resolutions on March 26 — to post the bond proposition and to accept the SRA declaration — followed by public forums and outreach in advance of the May 19 vote. The project remains contingent on final state aid decisions and on public approval of the bond.