Capital Project

Health, Energy Efficiency & Academics Project: Phase 2 | Health, Energy Efficiency & Academics Project: Phase 1 | Voter Registration & Absentee Ballots

Headlines

• Capital project work at Perry, Hughes and Myles to begin in summer 2024
• New Hartford voters approve $44.7 million capital improvement project

Health, Energy Efficiency & Academics Project: Phase 2

Project Overview

Bradley, Hughes and Myles Elementary Schools

• Classroom upgrades
• Bathroom improvements – compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Main entrance vestibule security upgrades
• Safety and security improvements
• Kitchen/cafeteria improvements
• Asbestos abatement
• Parking lot and driveway upgrades
• Sidewalk replacement
• Window wall/window replacement
• Ceiling replacement
• Door/door hardware replacement
• Lighting and electrical upgrades
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems replacement
• Boiler/hot water systems replacement
• Electric bus charging system installation

Senior High School

• Safety and security improvements
• Pool locker room upgrades
• Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) reconstruction
• Masonry reconstruction and repointing
• Parking lot and driveway upgrades
• Sidewalk replacement
• Window replacement
• Press box window replacement at athletic stadium
• Door and hardware replacement
• Lighting and electrical upgrades
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system upgrades
• Pool boiler system replacement
• Electric bus charging system installation

Bus storage Garage (lower bus garage) on Graham Avenue

• Pavement and parking upgrades
• Column reconstruction
• Liner panel and deteriorating insulation replacement
• Masonry reconstruction and coating
• Door and hardware replacement
• Lighting and electrical upgrades
• Electric bus charging system installation

Food Service Storage Building at Perry Junior High School

• Security improvements
• Lighting and electrical upgrades

UPDATE: Proposed Bus Garage will not be part of 2023 Capital Project Vote

After hearing from members of the New Hartford School District community, the district decided to remove the proposed construction of a bus garage behind Robert E. Myles Elementary School from the planned December 2023 capital project vote.

At the Oct. 10 board meeting, board members unanimously chose to table, or postpone, the resolution that would have authorized a capital project vote by the district community in December. Both the board and the district acknowledge the concerns of the community brought forth at the Oct. 10 meeting and have decided more time is needed to review the plan for a new bus garage.

The board and the district anticipate a new bus garage plan will be part of a capital project proposal vote in December 2028.

In preparation for the December 2028 vote, a community-wide committee will be formed to review the process, plan and possible sites for a new bus garage, which is still a need for the district. The committee will consist of representatives from the school district community, as well as the Town of New Hartford, as an interested agency.

A State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) study will be conducted for any proposed site.

The existing bus garage on Graham Avenue, originally built in 1950, was identified as a high priority project in the district’s 2020 Building Conditions Survey. The garage currently serves as the primary transportation facility and athletic equipment storage space and is unable to adequately service the district’s bus fleet due to capacity limitations.

The maintenance bays are approximately 39.5 feet long. A traditional school bus is 37.5 feet long. In order to maximize the space for mechanics to service the district’s buses, the 16 maintenance bays are not utilized in tandem, which limits the number of buses that can be serviced at any given time, and the district purchases more expensive transit style buses so that they can fit into the service bays.

FAQ

How much will taxpayers pay for the project?

The proposed capital improvement project is anticipated to have no additional impact on the local tax share.

The proposal will be covered by New York State building aid and the existing local tax levy. The project is timed so that debt service from past capital projects will soon be retired, and the local share to be paid by taxes for the proposed capital improvement project will be similar to the local share that is currently being paid on the retiring debt – thus resulting in no increase to the tax levy for debt service.

How was the scope of the project decided?

The proposed capital improvement project would fund the district’s highest priority projects as identified in the 2020 Building Condition Survey and the long-range facilities plan, which was developed by the 2014 Facilities Advisory Committee.

New York State school districts are required to conduct regular building condition surveys and routine visual inspections in order to develop multi-year facilities plans. These plans help identify aging, outdated or energy inefficient school infrastructure and facilities issues related to health and wellness. The district also uses its long-range facilities plan to improve learning spaces based upon educational program needs. The district then prioritizes projects in conjunction with stakeholders, the board of education and the public.

When was the last capital project vote?

In 2021, voters approved a capital project that included renovations and upgrades at Perry Junior High School, re-roofing at Hughes and Myles elementary schools, as well as athletic facilities improvements at the Senior High School.

This project was the first phase of the district’s Health, Energy Efficiency, and Academics Capital Project initiative, which aims to preserve the district’s existing facilities, implement health and safety enhancements and improve building accessibility.

Construction began this fall for the first phase of the initiative and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Why do we need another capital project?

The project proposal is the second phase of the district’s Health, Energy Efficiency, and Academics Capital Project initiative. The second phase focuses on the district’s most critical needs and aging infrastructure that were not addressed in the first phase. The initiative is split into phases in order to remain fiscally responsible to district taxpayers and minimize the tax impact.

Health, Energy Efficiency & Academics Project: Phase 1

On Dec. 14, 2021 New Hartford Central School District residents approved a $39.8 million capital improvment project proposal. Click here to learn more.

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