Cornwall Central School District previews $55 million capital plan ahead of May 19 vote

Bridal Carty, a member of the Cornwall Central School District Board of Education, opened a public forum and outlined a three-part capital project that the district will ask voters to approve on May 19. "This is our final capital project forum of the spring before we vote next week," Carty said, and she described how reserves, expiring debt and state aid contribute to the district's funding plan.

Why it matters: If approved in the combinations described by district officials, the plan would allow about $55 million of work without increasing taxes through a combination of existing capital reserves, roughly a 3:1 state aid match on qualifying projects and the reallocation of debt service that expires by 2030. The district presented the package as three separate ballot propositions: an essential infrastructure package (Prop 2), classroom additions (Prop 3) and new multi-sport athletic fields (Prop 4).

What’s in each proposition: Carty said Proposition 2, the largest component at $44,600,000, covers districtwide safety and infrastructure work — replacing unreliable fire alarm, public-address and clock systems; repairing failing floor decks and retaining walls; water-mitigation projects; and improvements at all five schools. She said required concessions and bathroom facilities adjacent to the high-school tennis courts are included…