WVCSD Capital Project addresses high-need infrastructure improvements

After nearly a year of Facilities Committee meetings and presentations, the 2024 Capital Project for the Warwick Valley Central School District is taking shape. Superintendent Dr. David Leach, Assistant Superintendent for Business Timothy Holmes, the district’s engineer and the district’s head of facilities presented to the Warwick Board of Education high-need infrastructure improvements that will be tax neutral, meaning the district would not need to raise additional tax revenue to support the large-scale improvement project.

The capital improvements will avoid the need for costly repairs in the coming years, create valuable energy savings, and make a healthier and safer learning environment for students and staff. The projects were shaped from the Facilities Committee’s review of the Building Condition Survey (BCS), which is a five-year plan that is developed from an inspection performed by a team of licensed engineers or registered architects. The survey’s purpose is to assess the building’s current state and identify any potential issues, such as structural damage, deterioration, or need for repairs. The committee also considered issues documented by school district management and staff.

The Capital Project will total $19,544,469 and will have no additional tax impact to local taxpayers. New York State building aid would reimburse the district at a rate of 63.8% or approximately $11,805,112. The district would utilize $6,698,198 in capital reserve funds and $1,041,159 in its repair reserve funds to complete the funding.

“Our district has taken a strategic approach over the years, consistently improving our facilities and grounds without increasing the tax burden on residents,” Dr. Leach said. “This effort focuses on updating outdated electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as replacing windows and roofs that have reached the end of their lifespan. The timing is crucial, as we are retiring debt and leveraging state building aid and our reserves to fund these improvements.”

Replacement of roofing will make up an estimated $8,130,159, or nearly 42%, of the Capital Project. The district intends to install 186,600 square feet of new roofing at nearly all buildings to save money on mounting repair costs and resolve leaks, some of which are difficult to repair.

• Warwick Valley High School will receive 110,600 square feet of new roof, covering the old junior high wing, science wing, media center, agriculture classrooms, New Gym, Old Gym, pool and weight room. The project replaces leaking roofing that was last installed in 2000 and 2001, and completes the high school roof work that began over the summer under the 2021 Capital Project.
• Warwick Valley Middle School/District Office will receive a 21,500 square feet new roof, which replaces the original 1998 roof that is leaking and unrepairable through patching.
• The original section of Park Avenue Elementary School will receive a new roof (11,500 square feet), replacing a 2000 roof that leaks into the third-floor classrooms as well as the entryway.
• Approximately 24,000 square feet of the 45,000-square-foot Kings building 2001 roof, will be replaced. It leaks in the upper classrooms and corridors and where Grace Community Church is located. This building work is not reimbursable as there are no students who use this building.
• The 19,000-square-foot Pine Island building roof will replace a 2000 roof, which is leaking in all sections. This building work is reimbursable as there are Orange-Ulster BOCES students in classrooms in this building.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning at the high school will cost an estimated $ 2,100,000. The project will provide air conditioning in the gym for both athletes and spectators, especially for events like graduation when it is moved inside because of weather. The air conditioning will replace old and ineffective unit ventilators that do not provide air conditioning. Also, air conditioning units will replace unit ventilators in approximately 10-12 classrooms in the old junior high wing. When complete, approximately 98% of the building will be air conditioned.

Windows at Park Avenue and the high school will cost an estimated $2,100,000. This project would complete window work at Park Avenue. Windows in front of the 1929 portion of the building were replaced recently. This project replaces windows in the back of the original building. It also replaces failing windows in the 1991 wing of the building that have issues such as broken seals, not opening easily or are not energy efficient. Windows in a portion of the high school will be replaced as part of an ongoing project.

In addition, the replacement of bleachers with safety concerns and mechanical parts failures at the high school and the middle school will cost $1,250,000. These improvements have been included in past capital projects but the district has needed to defer them to a later capital project and are now a priority.

Replacing main plumbing lines at Sanfordville. These main plumbing lines are used for both heating and air conditioning throughout the building. The entry pipe and main pipes to Park Avenue, which have been repaired but now need to be replaced. These projects will cost $1,200,000.

Electrical improvements at the high school will cost $1,000,000. The main electrical panel at the high school – original to the building when it was built in the 1950s – is at capacity for the building and needs to be replaced. Installing new air conditioning will require a new panel to handle the additional electric needs.

Also, $550,000 from the Capital Project will be directed toward security – the hardening of 100 exterior doors at the high school and middle school. The district will also use an additional $500,000 from the general fund and receive a $500,000 reimbursement from Safe Act funding for this project. The doors will be installed with security devices, have bullet-resistant glass and include window film.

Replacing damaged sidewalks in various locations in the district will cost $135,000.

The 2024 Capital Project will also fund $3,179,310 for incidentals, such as architect fees, independent test of contractor work, increased costs and construction management.

The Board of Education will vote on October 24 to put the 2024 Capital Project before voters. A public hearing will be scheduled for December 2 and voting will occur on Tuesday, December 10, at the Pine Island building, the Middle School and the Kings building.  

“These are infrastructure needs that have to be addressed to keep our district moving forward,” said Mr. Holmes. “We have worked with our capital reserve funds and our repair reserve funds as well as the state’s reimbursable aid to make sure this 2024 Capital Project has no additional tax impact for our residents.”