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Camden board sets Dec. 9 public vote on $30 million capital project after debate
Summary
The Camden Central School District Board voted to hold a Dec. 9 special election on a proposed $30,000,000 capital project that would fund roofs, HVAC, fire alarms, media centers and security upgrades; the resolution passed 6–1 with one trustee dissenting.
The Camden Central School District Board of Education voted to hold a special district-wide public vote on Dec. 9, 2025, from noon to 8 p.m. at Camden High School on a proposed capital improvement project with a maximum estimated cost of $30,000,000. The project scope presented by King + King Architects focuses on roofs, boilers, HVAC/cooling, fire alarms, media centers and security upgrades across district buildings.
Administrators told the Board the plan is structured to align with expected state aid (93.7%) and existing debt schedules so that district debt tied to the project would not take effect until 2027, when current debt is scheduled to expire. The Board’s resolution authorizes the District Clerk to publish the legal notice and to take required steps to comply with applicable laws, including the previously adopted SEQRA finding.
The roll-call vote on the resolution was recorded as: Randi Swancott — Yes; Benjamin Mitchell — Yes; Mark Carpenter — Yes; Misty Portner — Yes; Katherine Stone — Yes; Laird Petrie — No; Thomas Fanning — Not Present. Mr. Petrie objected during the discussion, saying he had concerns about timing, fiscal responsibility and transparency and urging greater Budget & Finance Committee involvement and broader bid notices. Board member Mark Carpenter, a facilities committee member, and Benjamin Mitchell both said they supported moving forward and noted plans to align new debt with expiring obligations.
Next steps: the District will publish the legal notice for the special meeting in the Daily Sentinel and Queen Central News and proceed with the required public-notice and election procedures ahead of the Dec. 9 vote.
