! e t a D e h t Save New Paltz Central School District Capital Project Vote October 28, 2014 12 Noon to 9 PM at New Paltz High School The Board of Education has adopted a $52.9 million proposal to upgrade infrastructure and provide program improvements in all four of the District’s schools. Building needs have been under consideration for many years. The Board of Education has devoted more than a year to planning this project by holding public hearings, studying detailed professional evaluations of all of the District’s buildings, considering administrator reports, and analyzing enrollment projections and building capacities. Using the February 2014 Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan as a guide, the Board of Education worked with professional architects and engineers to identify the highest priority infrastructure and instructional space needs in each of the school buildings so that all students can benefit. The $52.9 million Capital Project that is being presented to voters on October 28 is designed to complete this high priority work in a manner that minimizes disruption to students. The Board conducted an extensive review of multiple options and feels this proposal is the most cost-effective approach available that balances both the interests of the taxpayers and the ongoing education of District students. It is anticipated that 50 percent of the project will be funded by New York State Aid. Repayment of the balance is anticipated to take 20 years, with the average District homeowner paying $20 per $100,000 of assessed value annually for the term of the loan. Capital Project Proposed Scope of Work The highest priority needs in each school building are addressed by the October 28 Capital Project. The following list details the specific work proposed for each building. No students will be relocated to other buildings during the implementation of the proposed Capital Project. Duzine Elementary School Program Improvements Add bathrooms near the cafeteria (there are currently none located in proximity) Update network infrastructure to support current and future technologies Infrastructure Improvements Replace damaged doors at the Cafeteria and Gymnasium, including safety glass Upgrade aged boiler piping to extend system life Preserve building exterior and prevent leaks by replacing cracked bricks Replace end-of-life foam roof and skylights Upgrade antiquated clock and public address (PA) system Replace obsolete electrical panels Add ventilation in corridors to meet code and improve health Replace the original Gymnasium air handler (new installation to be designed with the flexibility to possibly add air conditioning in the future) Upgrade fire alarm and smoke detection system Replace the oldest plumbing fixtures Lenape Elementary School Program Improvements Provide additional storage space (currently insufficient for building needs) Update network infrastructure to support current and future technologies Infrastructure Improvements Address leaking exterior walls Replace non-functioning moveable gym divider wall and reinforce load-bearing beam that supports divider weight Upgrade all HVAC controls not included in the previous Energy Performance Contract Upgrade fire alarm and smoke detection system Add ventilation in corridors to improve air quality Insufficient Storage: The Lenape Cafetorium walls are lined with equipment that there is no room to store. Lack of storage is an issue districtwide. The proposed project will provide adequate storage space in each of the buildings. Inefficiently Sized High School Guidance Suite: Guidance Counselor Offices do not allow space for a student and his or her parents to meet together or for counselors to collaborate with each other. The location does not encourage students to take advantage of the tools available to them. A larger, centrally located Career & Counseling Center is planned. New Paltz High School Program Improvements Provide additional classrooms for a net gain of four new learning spaces Expand and relocate guidance suite near the cafeteria to create a convenient Career and Counseling Center for students Add meeting room space near the Main Office (none currently exists) Provide additional storage space (currently insufficient for building needs) Update network infrastructure to support current and future technologies Infrastructure Improvements Replace damaged moveable gym divider wall (end-of-life) Replace obsolete electrical panels Address damage to exterior masonry to prevent leaks and preserve structural building integrity Upgrade any old HVAC controls to improve energy efficiency Replace broken sidewalks and exterior stairs Replace damaged fitness and weight room flooring Upgrade fire alarm and smoke detection system Replace leaking foam roof and skylights Replace Gymnasium air handler (new installation to be designed with the flexibility to possibly add air conditioning in the future) Replace failing catch basins and piping to address storm water drainage issues Repave cracked areas of parking lot Replace broken gym lockers Replace end-of-life fuel oil tank Replace poorly functioning ceiling electric heaters in modular classroom wing Provide new Central Receiving area and District vehicle storage between the High School and Transportation Center Insufficient Space for Home & Careers: The Home & Careers lab was originally designed for 12-15 students. Today, upwards of 30 students use this space. The class is a mandated course offering. Many other classrooms are also undersized. Physical Therapy Provided in Storage Closet: Physical Therapy sessions are offered in the storage closet at the Middle School due to a lack of space. New Paltz Middle School Program Improvements Reconfigure building layout to enhance instruction through Grade Level Clusters Provide central shared Student Commons for collaboration and Project-Based Learning space Provide dedicated space for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (currently offered in a storage closet) Relocate Band Room to minimize noise disruptions in classrooms and enlarge it to serve student participation levels Provide a dedicated Music/Chorus Room to serve student participation levels Upgrade antiquated Home and Careers classroom Upgrade antiquated (circa 1956) Science lab Enlarge Nurse’s Office and reconfigure to offer privacy Upgrade Library/Media Center to support multi-use access for classes, allow group instruction, and improve technology integration Correct Central Kitchen space inadequacies and replace aged equipment Install canopy for weather protection at parent pickup/drop-off area to increase functionality and safety Upgrade technology network to increase bandwidth and support current and future technology use Provide additional storage capacity Relocate District’s Central Receiving area to improve safety, efficiency, and logistics Infrastructure Improvements Extend existing perimeter access control and increase door and camera monitoring capacity to improve surveillance Provide interior access to Technology, Health, Music, and other rooms that currently must be accessed from outside the building, correcting ADA deficiencies to meet current guidelines Replace two rows of auditorium seating to create ADAcompliant seating Reconfigure main entry ramp and upper-level connecting ramps to meet incline requirements for ADA compliance Reconfigure athletic space to locate gym and locker rooms in proximity to one another (currently on two different floors, hampering supervision and failing to conform to ADA requirements) Renovate outdated restroom facilities for ADA compliance Add mechanical ventilation to classrooms and corridors to address lack of air exchange and improve air quality Provide air conditioning to specific building locations with extreme overheating issues (gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, and upper-level classrooms) to address health concerns and expand capacity for summer use Upgrade fire alarm and smoke detection systems Replace end-of-life slate roof, brick parapets and limestone cap, extending the life expectancy by another 50 years Replace end-of-life foam roofing system with more durable and lasting material Replace selected failing windows in 1956 and 1998 wings (many are not insulated or do not open/close properly) Replace cracked brick and restore façade to preserve the functional physical integrity of the exterior walls Replace all 50-year-old exterior doors to improve security and insulation Replace antiquated heating system piping Replace aged water distribution systems (ranging from 30 to 80 years old) Replace aged and leaking drainage piping in 1930s wing Repair leaking storm drainage piping Replace aged plumbing fixtures (many toilets and sinks are from 1930 or 1956) Replace non-functioning water fountains Replace damaged ceilings, baseboard, lockers, and casework Replace all classroom doors to improve safety and meet code requirements for smoke control and egress Upgrade interior stair railings to meet current code and improve safety Replace obsolete 1930s electrical panels and cloth-covered wiring Repair failing clock/bell system Replace water-damaged portion of buckled Gymnasium floor (a tripping hazard) Repair pavement and storm drainage to correct flooding (also reduces liability for potential damage to neighboring properties) and install guardrail About the Project The Board completed an extensive, thoughtful examination of all information presented in the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan and identified only the highest priority items for inclusion in the proposed Capital Project. The Board has retained the services of the Palombo Group to oversee the construction management of the project to ensure the work is completed within or under its budget. These professionals have thoroughly vetted the proposed project costs used in the $52.9 million proposal. Infrastructure concerns comprise a significant portion of the proposed project and include replacement of failing, outdated systems and structures, improvements to indoor air quality, improved handicapped accessibility, and other high priority health and safety improvements. The Middle School and High School are short of learning space and have been for some time, partly due to prior unsuccessful projects and bond propositions. This project will provide a sufficient amount of classrooms for all students in both buildings. The Board and its design team are committed to taking a leadership position on issues of energy efficiency and sustainability. The project will include systems and facilities that demonstrate this commitment. Once funding is approved, the detailed design process commences and all viable strategies will be thoroughly investigated and reviewed with the District. The Capital Project proposal maintains the existing four campuses and current grade level configurations. After a lengthy exploration of possible alternatives, including multiple consolidation options, the Board decided to keep all buildings in operation and restore/update them to serve the community into the future. The Board determined this approach is the most cost-effective option that balances both the interests of the taxpayers and the ongoing education of District students. To limit learning disruptions as much as possible, no students will be relocated to other buildings during the implementation of the proposed Capital Project. The Board is committed to transparency, cost savings, timeliness, and efficiency and will use the expertise of the full Facilities Committee, including the community members, to develop concepts for contracts with both the architectural and construction management firms. After years of Board and community discussion on the building needs, the Board determined this to be the proper timing for the Capital Project. Retiring debt will help to offset a portion of its cost. The debt level plays a significant role in the calculation of the tax levy limit cap. Without replacement of debt, the District could be at risk for future budget-limiting reductions in programs and opportunities for students. Learn More September 24: Capital Project Presentation 7 pm @ NPHS October 8: Middle School Tour & Capital Project Presentation 6:30 pm @ NPMS New Paltz Central School District