Board of Education Sets Draft Scope of Bond Projects; Seeks Feedback from Community at World Cafe

Dear Pelham Community,

At its work session yesterday evening, Monday, March 3, the Board of Education came to consensus on a draft scope of work to be included in the upcoming Capital Improvement Bond. The Board was also joined by a representative from Capital Markets Advisors, who provided preliminary tax implications for the projects being proposed. 

The Board will now continue to seek feedback from the Pelham community and collect more information from its architect, construction manager and financial advisor before seeking to finalize the scope of work at its March 19 Board of Education meeting. The final scope of work will then be subject to a community wide vote, which could occur in May or at another time determined by the Board.

The draft scope of projects and estimated project costs are as follows:

District wide infrastructure improvements - $54,275,000

Includes projects to address water intrusion, such as masonry work across the District, replacement of the Prospect Hill roof and select roof replacements at Colonial and the Middle School and replacement/upgrade of current end-of-life steam boilers to hydronic systems at Colonial, Prospect Hill, Siwanoy and PMHS.

Expansion of Siwanoy School (Revised Option B) - $28,000,000

Includes elevators/ramp to make Siwanoy ADA accessible, an 8-classroom expansion to create classrooms that sized in line with modern standards, additional small group instructional space to provide services such as academic intervention, a cafeteria below the existing gym and light renovations of existing building. Project also includes landscape enhancements to contain and reduce stormwater runoff/flooding.

Expansion of Pelham Memorial High School - $38,850,000

Includes 3-story expansion connecting MS & HS near Ingalls Field with 8 new science labs to meet current/future enrollment and modern science curriculum, a student commons area to provide additional dining area for high school students/multipurpose space and renovation of a portion of the annex, creating scheduling flexibility for both the MS and HS. An additional $1.2 million could be budgeted for renovation of the existing middle school technology room into district administrative offices.

Central Air Conditioning at Colonial, Prospect Hill and Siwanoy - $14,400,000

Includes air conditioning at elementary schools that do not currently have it. Systems will also include modern air filtration systems.

Geothermal heating/cooling at Siwanoy and Prospect Hill - $4,500,000

Includes installation of below-ground geothermal wells and ground source heat pumps beneath current outdoor areas. These systems are considered environmentally friendly and are designed to increase energy efficiency and may result in long-term operating cost savings. Playing surfaces/outdoor areas would be restored and used as they currently are once the project is completed. (Image above shows possible location of geothermal wells on Prospect Hill field. Actual location subject to change)

Project Timing

If approved in May, construction could start in the summer of 2027. It is expected that work will take approximately three years with contractors taking advantage of summer work to avoid impacting student learning and preserve access to outdoor spaces to the extent possible. It is expected that work on building extensions would also occur during the school year and can be done safely without disruption to the learning environment.

Project Costs and Tax Implications

The total cost of the projects under consideration is $141,225,000. These costs would be partially offset by $65,000,000 in retiring debt service payments from previous bonds. The projects would be further offset by New York State Building Aid, which currently reimburses approximately 50% of the project costs. Additionally, the District is exploring grant opportunities that may offer additional funding and may be eligible for a federal tax credit that could reimburse a significant portion of the geothermal system cost.

Below is a snapshot of preliminary tax implications based on three separate home value assessments. The tax information includes the application of the retiring debt service, building aid and anticipated borrowing costs. It does not include the possible geothermal tax credit or grant funding. Please note that these projections are subject to change as more information becomes available.'

* Preliminary tax impacts reflect $65 million in retiring debt, application of estimated state building aid and borrowing costs.

As it finalizes the scope of work, the Board will also consider whether to split the scope of projects into separate propositions to be voted on by the community. 

World Cafe

The Pelham Community is invited to learn more about the draft scope and provide additional feedback at a World Cafe event at 7pm on Tuesday, March 11 in PMHS Cafeteria C. This event will include a brief presentation by Dr. Champ, followed by an opportunity for attendees to answer several guided questions about the bond proposal. The feedback provided at this event will be considered by the Board as they seek to finalize the bond scope. Additional information will be shared via ParentSquare.