Dundee Central School Proposes Budget Neutral $28M Capital Project
Dundee, NY – Dundee Central School District is seeking voter approval for a $28,000,000 capital improvement project, with work anticipated to begin in Spring 2026 and end in Fall 2028.
The district’s original construction dates back to 1938, with major additional construction taking place in 1952 1972, 1994, and 2004. The majority of the proposed capital project focuses on improvements to 1938, 1952, and 1972 portions of the building. This project is budget neutral. The district will utilize planned reserves and state building aid to finance this project.
Primary objectives of the project include:
Improvements to the safety and security of the building.
Prioritizing work that directly impact students, with improvements across STEM classrooms, music and the performing arts, and athletics, maximizing the positive impact to the highest number of students.
Addressing HVAC and other infrastructure needs, which protects the investment of this project, as well as past and future capital improvements.
Financial Snapshot - Project Financing
The cost of the proposed project will be funded through a combination of state aid, capital reserve funds, and local resources that currently exist.
The district will not require any taxes to be raised to fund the total project cost.
Building Aid - $22,846,617
Capital Reserve Funds - $5,000,000
Available District Resources - $153,853
74% spent on work that directly impact the offerings and opportunities for students.
Other things taxpayers should know when reviewing the project:
School construction costs and private construction costs are not comparable. One should evaluate the cost of school construction on its own scale.
Incidental expenses do not equate to something incidental. Rather, incidental is a technical term, used to describe capital project activities that do not include construction on the building itself.
For the purposes of this project, incidental work includes the playground, resurfacing the track, parking lots, sidewalks, equipment, furniture, engineering, and so on.
74% of the costs of this project is on work that will directly impact students. The remaining 36% falls under costs that are not building construction or reconstruction.
Why this work and why now?
Main Building Entrance
The main building entrance is currently a security risk. Currently, visitors are authorized for entry after they enter the main building, affording full access to student-occupied areas.
Career and Technical Educational Space
Current technology rooms are not configured to permit newer technology and hand-son activities. Improvements to this space will create endless potential for future use, to afford our students great opportunities in the areas of technology, entrepreneurship, and more.
Fine Arts
Current practice rooms are inadequate and lack technology. There is insufficient instrument storage space, fixed risers limit the use and configuration of the band and chorus rooms. In the auditorium, the sound system, lighting and controls are antiquated, insufficient, and inefficient. The seating is narrow, accessibility for all is lacking.
Cafeteria and Kitchen
The current serving lines and seating are not appropriate for all grade levels served. Kitchen cooler, freezer, and dry storage is woefully inadequate. Kitchen equipment is dated and inefficient. Kitchen workflow area is crowded and inefficient. Cafeteria acoustics also need to be addressed to improve the experience for students.
Gymnasiums
There are many “dead” areas in the high school gym floor (which directly impacts play), the PA system is in disrepair, fixtures and bleachers need to be updated, locker room lavatory and shower areas are not individual, public lavatories are lacking, wall padding is deteriorating, and the athletic trainer’s office is currently in a storage closet.
Campus (Site) Work (also known as incidentals)
Field lighting is considered a necessity for student and spectator safety. Currently, especially during the fall season, games may go well after dark. Lighting will improve safety in the event of an on-field emergency, and will also improve visibility for those entering and exiting the field and bleachers. With lights, the district could also accommodate later start times, permitting greater family and community attendance, as well as late-ending events.
The track surface is scheduled for replacement.
The Upper Elementary Playground is in serious disrepair and is dated with equipment having to be removed because of failure. This playground is not ADA compliant.
Sidewalks and parking lots are showing normal signs of wear and tear. Pavement needs to be replaced and sidewalks improved, to promote safety and visibility for all.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
The current boiler has cracked sections and is inefficient. Piping, valves, and pumps in the school are failing on a regular basis due to hard water and age. The time to replace these items is now, as repairs will only continue to increase in frequency and cost.
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Superintendent Chris Wood shares, “The work included in this project ensures our District is well-positioned to provide the best education and extra-curricular opportunities possible in a safe, modern facility. Right now, the district has a project that is covered by state aid, planned reserves, and on-hand assets. School construction is expensive and increases exponentially every year. Now is the time to perform this work while we have the reserves ready, school aid locked in, and district resources available.”
School Board President Rob New adds, “Capital projects are a major investment of time and resources. The school board takes these projects seriously and plans for them, along with the expertise and insights from our school leaders, teachers, staff, and students. The work planned in this project is necessary and prudent.”
Members of the public are invited to make arrangements to tour the facility with the superintendent.
The capital project vote takes place on Monday, March 31 from 12pm-8pm in the Public Meeting Room at Dundee Central School (55 Water Street, Dundee, NY 14837) – all voters should enter through the Public Meeting Room entrance.
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