Board authorizes Ricardi surveys and advances planning for Mount Marion disposal; electric-bus timeline delayed

The Saugerties Central School District board’s facilities committee reported authorizations to complete wetlands and boundary surveys related to a Ricardi easement and to re-interview the top two construction-manager candidates in advance of a future capital project.

"The boundary and wetland surveys need to be completed in order to determine the buildability and remediation requirements that will happen on that property," the facilities report said, noting those studies are the next step before designing or budgeting work.

The committee also confirmed that Mount Marion, though no longer used as an elementary school, has had tenants and remains operable. "The operating cost of that building—we're not bearing necessarily the instructional cost—but we are absolutely operating that building," a facilities speaker said, stressing maintenance and insurance premiums continue to carry district costs. The board intends to pursue a realtor and appraisal to evaluate disposition options and to seek fair market value if the district proceeds with a sale.

Facilities members discussed state-level bus electrification legislation and said aspects of the originally proposed timeline were delayed (the meeting record indicates an initial 2027 start for certain requirements was extended toward 2040), which will affect future bus‑replacement planning and district procurement timetables.

The board did not take a final property-disposition vote at the meeting; facilities staff will return with survey results and recommended next steps to the board and will re-engage construction-manager candidates once funding windows and project timing are clearer.

The facilities report was part of committee reports presented during the board’s final regular meeting of the school year.