Updated September 24, 2021
- Vote – October 19, 2021
- Overview
- Project Scope and Costs
- Photos – Priority Projects
- Priority Projects by Location
- Timeline
- Five-Year Facilities Plan
- Facilities Operations & Maintenance Department
- Questions or comments
- Community Meetings, Board Presentations & Discussions
Vote – Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at BCHS
In-person voting for the Bethlehem Central School District’s Facilities Improvement Capital Project will take place at Bethlehem Central High School on Tuesday, October 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gym A. To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Bethlehem Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You do not need to be registered to vote.
Absentee ballots and military ballots are also available for eligible voters.
Project Overview
On Tuesday, October 19, residents of the Bethlehem Central School District will vote on a 2021 Facilities Improvement Capital Project to upgrade facilities across the district. The Board of Education has approved $40.7 million in infrastructure projects that if approved by voters, would provide improvements at every school building in the district. The project was developed during eight meetings beginning in March 2021.
There is no tax increase associated with the project. The project is expected to be budget neutral, with debt service costs fully offset by New York State building aid and significant use of the district’s capital reserve fund.
Priority projects included in the proposed 2021 Facilities Improvement Project are:
- BCMS auditorium renovations
- BCMS Library Media Center renovations
- BCMS Family & Consumer Science classroom renovations
- BCMS Digital Tech classroom renovations
- BCHS synthetic turf multi-use athletic field (outside E wing, not the stadium field)
- BCMS tennis court renovations
- Transportation infrastructure to support 25 electric buses
- BCHS Gym A renovations
- BCHS Stadium pavilion
- BCHS cafeteria outdoor canopy
- Playground improvements at all elementary schools
- Playground shade canopies
- Slingerlands kitchen renovation
- Hamagrael kitchen renovation
- Transportation office renovation
- Roofing replacements at BCHS, BCMS, Elsmere and Hamagrael
- Boiler replacements at BCHS, Elsmere and Hamagrael
- Security upgrades at entrances at Glenmont, Hamagrael
- Additional security cameras districtwide
- Technology infrastructure upgrades
The majority of the projects were part of the Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan. The plan prioritizes infrastructure needs by building and provides a blueprint for the district to develop moderate-sized capital projects approximately every 3-5 years. The most recent capital project was approved by voters in November 2016 and was completed in the 2019-20 school year.
A copy of the Sept. 27 Q & A Session Presentation can be viewed or downloaded here [PDF].
If you are unable to access this document, please contact the Communications Office at bcsdcommunications@bethlehemschools.org
Project Scope and Costs
The project is expected to be budget neutral, with debt service costs fully offset by New York State building aid, federal funds and significant use of the district’s capital reserve fund. Available funds exceed the estimated cost of the project as outlined below:
- Total estimated cost of 2021 Capital Project: $40,693,000
- All funding sources: $40,693,000
- ARP/ESSER Funds: $2,397,000
- Federal E-Rate Funds: $543,000
- Capital Reserve Funds – 2015: $5,100,000
- Capital Reserve Funds – 2019: $8,300,000
- Estimated NYS Building Aid: $24,353,106
- Estimated property tax impact: $0
Proposed Projects – By Building
- Bethlehem Central High School – $15,917,904(39.1%)
- Bethlehem Central Middle School – $10,381,393 (25.5%)
- Hamagrael Elementary School – $4,611,338 (11.3%)
- Glenmont Elementary School – $2,753,419 (6.8%)
- Slingerlands Elementary School – $2,567,996 (6.3%)
- Transportation and O & M – $3,048,291 (7.5%)
- Elsmere Elementary School – $863,056 (2.1%)
- Eagle Elementary School – $549,708(1.4%)
The full 2021 Capital Project Scope List can be viewed here. [PDF]
If you are unable to view the PDF, please contact the District Communications Office at 518-439-3650.
Vote – Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at BCHS
In-person voting for the Bethlehem Central School District’s Facilities Improvement Capital Project will take place at Bethlehem Central High School on Tuesday, October 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gym A. To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Bethlehem Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You do not need to be registered to vote.
Absentee ballots and military ballots are also available for eligible voters.
Photos – Priority Projects
Several projects that are proposed for the 2021 Facilities Improvement Capital Project are intended to improve student opportunities in academics, arts and athletics, with a focus on the middle school and high school.
Priority Projects by Location
Bethlehem Central High School
- Replace grass field #2 with synthetic turf
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for synthetic turf materials
- Resurface track
- Replace TPO roofs
- Paving & sidewalk improvements
- Renovate bathrooms
- Gym A renovations
- Asbestos abatement (floor tile)
- Fire alarm upgrades
- Generator improvements
- Technology upgrades
- BCHS Stadium pavilion addition
- BCHS cafeteria outdoor canopy addition
Bethlehem Central Middle School
- Auditorium renovation
- LMC renovation
- FACS classrooms renovation
- BCMS tennis court renovations
- Replace TPO roofs
- Paving, sidewalk & drainage improvements
- Multipurpose field improvements
- Generator improvements
- Technology upgrades
Hamagrael Elementary School
- Replace boiler and gym rooftop unit
- Kitchen renovation
- Replace TPO roofs
- Entrance hardening
- New playground elements, including shade structure & paved play area
- Site drainage improvements and sidewalk replacement
Glenmont Elementary School
- Replace boiler and gym rooftop unit
- Fire alarm upgrade
- Playground shade structure
- Entrance hardening and sidewalk replacement
- Bathroom & classroom renovations
Slingerlands Elementary School
- Kitchen & cafeteria renovations
- Replace old ELC common area ventilation unit
- “Basement” classroom/hallway renovations
- Playground shade structure
- Technology upgrades
Elsmere Elementary School
- Replace TPO roof
- Fire alarm upgrade
- Playground shade structure
- Technology upgrades
- Fencing and drainage
Eagle Elementary School
- Technology upgrades
- New battery-operated clock system
- Playground shade structure
- Window caulking flashing improvements
- Entrance hardening
Proposed Project Timeline
- March 3, 2021 – BOE Introduction of anticipated bond scope, cost and schedule
- May-August 2021 – Refine Scope/Costs, Public Presentations/Outreach
- August 11, 2021 – SEQRA & Final Scope/Cost
- September 1, 2021 – BOE Bond Resolution Approved
- September 27, 2021 – Community Forum (Online)
- October 19, 2021 – Bond Referendum Vote
- May 2022 – Project design completed
- June 2022 – Feb 2023 – SED Review and Approval
- Feb 2023 – March 2023 – Bidding completed and contracts awarded
- April 2023 – December 2024 – Construction Phase
Community Meetings, Board Presentations & Discussions
Capital Improvement Project Q & A – September 27, 2021
August 11, 2021
July 6, 2021
June 16, 2021
June 2, 2021
May 19, 2021
April 21, 2021
March 3, 2021
Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan
The goal of the Bethlehem Central School District’s Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan is to provide facilities that directly support the District’s Mission. This is accomplished through collecting, coordinating, analyzing and prioritizing the facility infrastructure and building program needs on a district wide basis.
View the Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan.
Questions or comments?
As the Board of Education continues its discussions of the potential capital project, you can submit questions or comments via email at bcsdk12@gmail.com