Board approves capital proposition and narrowly backs contingent air‑conditioning add‑on after cost debate

The Ravena‑Coeymans‑Selkirk board voted Monday to move a base capital project to the May ballot and to include a contingent proposition to expand air conditioning in additional classrooms, after a lengthy debate about cost, reserves and long‑term fiscal flexibility.

Administrators said the base project would be funded in part from a $3.6 million capital reserve allocation that, under the base model, would impose no immediate additional tax impact. At trustees’ request, consultants reviewed the projected cost of adding cooling to more spaces beyond the base scope. Mark, a consultant from Schoolhouse, told the board that early, high‑level estimates for the additional work (previously discussed in the $1.2M range) were low once electrical and infrastructural upgrades were added; the consultant presented a revised estimate near $3.0M, which raised the total estimated project from about $18.15M to about $20.40M.

Board fiscal advisers and the business office warned that using capital reserves for a larger add‑on would substantially deplete the district’s capital reserve and reduce flexibility for future emergency work (roofs, boilers, pool repairs) or for infrastructure needs tied to electrification of buses. Administration described how debt scheduled to fall off in coming years gives temporary capacity to issue new bonds with limited tax impact, but cautioned that committing reserves now reduces options later and could force short‑term borrowing or a higher tax burden if other large projects arise.

Trustees discussed ballot structure: the proposed ballot contains at least two propositions (a base project and a contingent add‑on). Administrators said they will prepare voter materials to explain the two options and the projected per‑home tax impact; fiscal advisers quantified the additional annual impact in the low single‑digit dollars on a $300,000 house under the baseline scenario but noted that the larger $3.0M add‑on increases that estimate and depends on bond structure and aid assumptions. Board members debated whether to defer the expanded add‑on for 12–24 months to preserve reserves; some favored taking the question to voters now while others urged a revisit after more detailed estimates and after considering other planned capital needs.

After discussion, the board approved the base project proposition and, by majority vote, also approved placing the contingent AC option on the ballot. Roll‑call votes were recorded on the transcript; one trustee voted against the contingent AC proposition during the roll call. Administration said it would continue to refine estimates and contingency levels, prepare explanatory materials for the public and consider whether a special meeting is needed before ballot certification.

The board’s motion moves the questions to the May 19 ballot; the administration will provide detailed voter guidance, updated cost estimates and explanations of how building aid and reserves affect local cost.