Capital Project Referendum Message

Capital Project Referendum Message by Dr. Katz

Posted on 12/05/2025

Dear School Community Member:

Happy Friday to all! I want to take this opportunity to detail for you an exciting building project plan that the Board of Education plans to bring to a public vote that will take place on February 3, 2026.

BACKGROUND

For many years, the school community has shared concerns with us about our parking lots and walkways which are in dire need of replacement. Additionally, last year, a state law was passed which required that schools have alternate plans for students when the heat in classrooms reaches 82 degrees and beyond. Finally, we have a number of smaller repairs and renovations as recommended by our architects to make our facilities safer and up-to-date.

With that information, the Board’s Building and Grounds Committee started planning to remedy these concerns with the support of our architect. The overarching goal was to address our facility needs and to not have a tax increase to get that accomplished.

I can proudly say that the district is bringing forward a significant building project that will not result in a tax increase.

How did we do that? This is an important question that our school community should be aware of as we move forward to our referendum vote on February 3, 2026. There were several conditions that allowed for us to bring a project forward that is tax neutral and will not result in a tax increase:

We will have retired debt from previous projects before we have to start paying for this project.
The district has saved money in the form of Capital Project reserves totaling $15,000,000.
Our building aid ratio from the state will give us a return of about 72 cents per dollar spent.4

The above will allow us to leverage monies to pay for the project without any tax increase.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The Project Scope is made up of 3 key categories:

Mechanical Upgrades and Air Conditioning: This will provide Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning upgrades district-wide (classrooms, libraries cafeterias and gymnasiums).
Site and Parking Lot Improvements: This will provide parking lot improvements and expansions as well as sidewalk and outdoor lighting improvements.
Miscellaneous Capital Improvements include:

BCES: Fuel tank replacement, covered walkways, card swipes for classrooms, trash compactor and learning space modernization.
JSHS: Loading dock replacement, fuel tank replacement, trash compactor, card swipes for classroom, masonry repairs, electric room ceiling upgrade,

Cost of the Project

BCES: $27,609,348

JSHS: $28,940,652

Total: $56,550,000

Tax Impact: 0%

SECOND PROPOSITION

Additionally, there will be a second proposition to vote on February 3, 2026 – That proposition is for the purchase of a property that adjoins the school property at BCES. The district will ask for approval to spend up to $500,000 to acquire this property. The purpose of this purchase would be for us to expand the entryway (and exit) to BCES. We currently have a narrow entry and exit and we would like to make this much safer by widening the road to improve driving conditions for cars, buses and emergency vehicles. This purchase would also have a 0% impact for taxpayers.

Both Propositions will have a 0% impact on taxes!

On January 7, 2026, there will be a public meeting and presentation on the proposed capital project at 6:00 PM. Members of our school community are encouraged to attend to learn about the proposed capital project. If there are any questions beforehand, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me ([email protected]).

The vote for this capital project will take place on February 3, 2026, in the Board of Education meeting room from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM. The board meeting room is located at 115 Brickman Road, Fallsburg, NY 12733.

Below are a few pictures of the project scope:

New parking lot renditions for Benjamin Cosor Elementary School: