Updates

March 15, 2024: Construction kicks off in June for the District’s Capital Improvement Project!
The $49.9 million project, which resulted from extensive long-range master capital planning, was approved by voters in March 2022. The District is using $18 million in existing capital reserve funds to substantially offset the project cost, reducing the total bond amount to $31.9 million.

Our community’s critical investment in upgrading essential infrastructure will support the health, safety and success of current and future South Orangetown students. The centerpiece of this project is the renovation of classrooms district-wide, to include new HVAC and control systems; upgraded lighting, ceilings, fl ooring, casework and plumbing; additional electrical and data outlets; and security enhancements.

Summer 2024 Construction
(Phase 1, Year 1 of 2):

WOS
• Renovation of 16 classrooms
• Replacement of HVAC system
• Renovation of the school nurse’s office
• Renovation of the English as a New Language suite
• Installation of upgraded clocks/public address/lockdown system

CLE
• Redesign of the main entrance and security station
• Renovation of the music classroom
• Creation of an outdoor fi tness path
• Installation of upgraded clocks/public address/lockdown system

ALL SCHOOLS
• Installation of outdoor classrooms

October 2, 2023: Plans for Phase 2 (Tappan Zee High School) were submitted to the New York State Education Department for review on September 29.

August 25, 2023: The New York State Education Department has approved Phase I construction for the Capital Improvements Bond Project. Bidding will open this fall, with work anticipated to begin in Spring 2024 at William O. Schaefer Elementary School and Cottage Lane Elementary School during the second shift (after school hours). Phase II (Tappan Zee High School) will be submitted for NYSED review this fall.

Background

Thanks to strong support from the South Orangetown community, the District’s Capital Improvements Bond passed with 66% of the vote on March 8, 2022. This project is the culmination of a multi-year, long-range master capital planning effort which included a district-wide Building Conditions Survey, extensive building-level conversations with staff, meetings with architects and detailed facilities tours and discussions. On December 9, 2021, our Board of Education unanimously approved the District’s proposed Capital Improvements Bond to address essential infrastructure for student health, safety and success.

SCOPE: To address prioritized needs, the Capital Improvements Bond project scope includes:

• District-Wide Classroom Renovations, including new HVAC and control systems, upgrades to lighting, ceilings, flooring, casework and plumbing, additional electrical and data outlets and security enhancements
• CLE Main Entrance Security Redesign
• TZHS Auditorium Renovation
• Development of Outdoor Classrooms (all schools)
• Creation of Fitness Paths at CLE and SOMS
• SOMS Upper Grass Field Renovation

COST: The total project budget totals $49,932,000. However, the use of $18,000,000 in existing capital reserve funds will offset costs, resulting in a total bond amount of $31,932,000.

TIMELINE: Construction will begin in Summer 2023 (pending NYSED approval) and be completed by Fall 2027.

Keep up with Capital Improvements Bond project progress (#SOCSDbond) by following the District’s Facebook and Instagram feeds.