Areas of Focus:

• Safety & Security 

• Infrastructure Maintenance & Improvements 

• Smart Investments 

• Replace unit ventilators at the end of their useful life 

• Provide sidewalks from classrooms on the first floor to safe zones*

• Add an ADA-accessible portable lift to the stage

• Replace the cafeteria air handling unit 

• Add backflow preventer at water supply 

• Replace hot water heater at the end of its useful life 

• Add carbon monoxide detectors adjacent to boiler rooms*

• Add fence around exterior solar electrical panels*

• Replace exterior insulation and finishing system (EIFs) outside of music and art classrooms

• Asbestos abatement in rooms 218-222*

• Replace fire suppression systems at the end of its useful life*

• Replace entry/exit lights at the end of its useful life*

• Upgrade smoke detectors*

• Replace south parking lot (AWB Only)*

• Reconstruct drive and parking lots (PBC Only)*

• Add kitchen grease trap (PBC only, AWB already has)

• Add electrical locks to classroom doors* (funded through Smart Schools Bond Act)

• A.W. Becker Elementary Totaling: $1,991,250

• Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary Totaling: $2,246,250

• Reconstruct parking lot between MS & HS and improvements to outdoor lighting*

• Replacing roofing at hatch and band room

• Replace unit ventilators at end of their useful life 

• Replace electric hot water heaters

• Fire System upgrades* 

• Add carbon monoxide detectors adjacent to boiler room*

• Reconstruct play/soccer field behind MS (alternate #1)

• Caulk exterior concrete masonry unit (CMU)

• Repair concrete at loading dock and ramp to basement

• Replace failing windows above gym doors and stairways

• Replace skylight hatch at second-floor mechanical room

• Repair cracks in stair tower concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls 

• Replace (48) old interior corridor doors with louvers*

• Add electrical locks to classroom doors* (funded through Smart Schools Bond Act)

• Totaling: $2,112,500

• Reconstruct parking lot between MS & HS and improvements to outdoor lighting*

• Panelboards not completed in last project 

• Reconstruct sidewalks from asphalt to concrete* 

• Replace pool lighting 

• Replace unit ventilators at end of their useful life 

• Fire Alarm System upgrades*

• Add carbon monoxide detectors adjacent to boiler room*

• Replace (4) old skylights, replace pool roof and adjacent corridor

• Replace spalling brick/joints at exterior veneers entry and kitchen area

• Add fence at solar panel electrical boxes*

• Remediate drainage issue at the practice field on the north end

• Repair concrete at loading dock and area and ramp to basement

• Replace old steel windows in technology classroom 

• Replace (59) old interior corridor doors with louvers*

• Add electrical locks to classroom doors* (funded through Smart Schools Bond Act)

• Add an ADA-accessible portable lift to the stage

• Totaling: $7,372,500

• Repair cracks in slab on grade* 

• Replace door from bay 1 to bay 2

• Pave driveway and gravel parking lot (alternate #2) 

• Upgrade lighting from fluorescent to LED

• Upgrade emergency/exit lights*

• Replace fire alarm system*

• Add ramp from bay 1 to bay 2

• Replace high bay bus lift

• Replace remaining steel windows 

• Totaling: $1,057,500

• Replace HVAC dampers, provide office and toilet room ventilation 

• Install new emergency generator including automatic transfer switch

• Install carbon monoxide system* 

• Reconstruct remind asphalt areas, add bollards at building* 

• Re-set concrete steps at north man door

• Replace hot water heater

• Upgrade fire alarm system for improved coverage*

• Construct ramp to toilet room

• Add windows in office area

• Totaling: $246,250

*Items focusing on school safety

There will be a tax increase associated with the project that will be offset by New York State building aid and use of the district’s capital reserve fund.

Proposed Capital project: $15,026,250

Financing:

Proposed Capital Project Cost: $15,026,250
Total from Capital Reserve Fund: $5,100,000
Bonds and/or Bond Anticipation Notes: $9,926,250
State Aid Ratio: 72.1%
Estimated Bond Percentage: 95.41%
Estimated Interest Rate on Borrowing: 2.25%
Repayment Schedule: 15 years

Proposed project – By Building**

Academic Buildings

• A.W. Becker Elementary: $1,991,250

• Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary: $2,246,250

• Middle School: $2,112,500

• High School: $7,372,500

District Buildings

• Transportation: $1,057,500

• Warehouse: $246,250

**This includes Incidental Costs (Architect, Construction Management fees, testing, etc).

Estimated* Tax Impact of $15 million Project 

*tax impact projections are estimates based on current equalization and assessments

Please note: This timeline is an estimate and is subject to change based on the availability of resources and state approval. Construction may begin earlier than anticipated depending on the availability of contractors and materials. The timeline was last updated on 02/10/2023.

January 9, 2023: Referendum Vote

February 2023: Hire a Construction Manager

July 2023: Architects Prepare Detailed Plans

August 2023: Plans are Submitted to the State Education Department (SED)

December 2023: District Receives State Education Department Approval

December 2023: District Bids Project

January 2024: Bids Awarded by the Board of Education

June 2024: Construction Begins

September 2025: Anticipated Project Completion

Here are just a few before photos of the work we are proposing:

Click here to view more before photos!

Q: What is a capital project?

A: Just like a home, school facilities need regular attention and upkeep to continue to operate year after year as originally intended. The cost of keeping up with the daily wear and tear caused by thousands of students, staff, and visitors can rise above what the annual school budget can support. Capital improvement projects are a way for school districts to access state aid to complete a larger amount of facility work than possible within the scope of the annual school budget. New York State Aid will cover approximately 72% of the district’s expenditures to offset the cost of these improvements.

Q: How was the project developed?

A: The project was developed through various outlets. First, we received the Building Conditions Survey to identify key areas of concern. The New York State Education Department requires schools to complete a Building Condition Survey in collaboration with a licensed architect or engineer every five years. The survey, completed during the 20-21 school year, identified a number of immediate repairs/replacements that need to be made in order to maintain our school facilities. There are also preventative elements within the proposed plan.

Additionally, we asked the community to participate in a ThoughtExchange Survey in June of 2022 to gain insight into what the community would like to see as we began to consider the elements of the project.

Next, we met with a Facilities Planning Committee, which consisted of parents, teachers, staff, leaders, board members, and community members. During this time, we reviewed the building condition survey, and community survey, and focused on what was most needed by our community.

Q: Why are we voting on this now?

A: The Board of Education seeks to continually make investments in our school buildings to provide a safe, competitive, and innovative environment for students to learn. These projects take time to materialize as there are many steps of approval before the work can begin. By voting on it now, we hope to have the project beginning just as the last of the items from our $2.3 million capital project, approved in May 2022, are finishing up.

Q: How would this project benefit the community?

A: This project will benefit our community in a number of ways. Beyond a better working and learning environment for our students and staff, the greater RCS community will also feel the impacts of these improvements. RCS Schools are often the host of many community events and programs, and these needed repairs will continue to allow us to provide our buildings as a resource for our community.

Q: How much would the project cost taxpayers? How will the project be funded?

A: If voters approve the project on January 9, 2023, the district would be reimbursed for approximately 72.1% of the total project cost through state building aid. The capital project proposition authorizes the district to use $5.1 million in capital reserve funds to pay for this project. 

The remaining cost would be financed for a 15-year period. The estimated annual cost of this project for a homeowner who has a home with a true value of $100,000 is $5 per year for the life of the loan, or $0.05 per $1,000 of true home value. This would be through the year 2040.

Please see the Project Scope & Cost section above for more information.

Q: When would this project start?

A: The construction is slated to begin Spring of 2025. This depends on many factors, including New York State Education Department Approval. A more detailed timeline can be found above.

Q: We just approved a small capital project which voters approved in May 2022. What is the status of that project and why do we need this one?

A: You can find an update for the $2.3 million capital project here. The lifespan of a school district capital project is typically 3-5 years, from start to finish, including development, community input, bidding, New York State Department of Education approval, and construction. Generally, our approach to capital improvement projects has been to complete projects routinely to avoid significant improvements that will cost more in the long run if not addressed and to avoid a large build-up of building improvement needs.

Q: What is the purpose of a Capital Reserve Fund?

A: The purpose of a Capital Reserve Fund is to offset the expense for any future capital project(s) for which bonds may be issued. The existing Capital Reserve Fund was extended by voters in May 2021 with an amount not to exceed $8,000,000 (total deposits) and a probable life of ten years. Since its inception, originally approved in May 2013, the District has saved and deposited $6,297,358 in the Capital Reserve Fund. The voters previously approved $750,000 to be taken from the fund for the $2.3 million project. The District will be asking voters in the future to establish a second fund at the Budget Vote in May 2023. 

Q: Why doesn’t the district complete capital construction work as part of the annual school budget?

A: Routine repairs and maintenance are funded through the district’s general fund as part of the annual school district budget. Larger projects and capital improvements cannot realistically be funded through the annual school district budget. The annual school budget does contain funds to support routine repairs and maintenance of the district’s facilities. However, the cost of more significant projects, like roofing, paving, HVAC work, or major renovations is too costly to be included in the regular operating budget of the district, especially with a cap on the tax levy. By funding these projects as part of a capital project, it allows the district to spread the expense over a longer period of time and to fund this work in large part through New York State Education Department Building Aid with less financial impact on local taxpayers. For every dollar spent, RCS will be reimbursed approximately 72% for all eligible expenses, including money spent from the Capital Reserve Fund.

Monday, January 9, 2023
1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

RCS High School Main Gym
2025 US Route 9W
Ravena, NY 12143

Voting will be held in our High School Main Gym which is most easily accessible from our Rt. 101 entrance, which is located at the rear of the Middle School/High School Campus.

Click here for a map of the voting location and parking!

Need an absentee ballot? To get an application, please contact District Clerk Sue Starr at sstarr@rcscsd.org or at (518) 756-5200 ext. 6000

Please note: An absentee ballot application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or not later than the day before the election if it is delivered in person. An absentee voter’s ballot will not be counted unless it is received in the office of the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

A qualified voter is one who is:

(1) a citizen of the United States of America,
(2) eighteen (18) years of age or older,
(3) resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days preceding the vote
(4) not otherwise disqualified under the Election Law.

Contact our District Clerk Sue Starr with any questions at (518) 756-5200 ext. 6000.

Click here for a PDF version of the Proposition.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING AND VOTE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District
Albany and Greene Counties, New York

The Board of Education of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District, Albany and Greene Counties, New York (the “District”) HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that a special meeting and vote of the qualified voters of the District (the “Special Meeting and Vote”) will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 in the gymnasium at the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, at 2025 Route 9W, in Ravena, New York, at 1:00 p.m., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting (by electronic scan voting machines or, in the alternative, paper ballots) upon the proposition hereinafter set forth.  Polls for the purpose of voting will be kept open between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing time, on that day.  If on January 9 the polling place cannot be so accessed, or if the polling place is closed on that day due to inclement weather, it is the present intention of the District that the Special Meeting and Vote will be held on the day on which the polling place is next open and may be safely accessed, with the voting hours remaining the same.  In the event that the polling place is for any reason closed or not safely accessible on January 9, for whatever reason, voters are asked to please consult the District’s website for guidance on the timing of, and procedures for holding, the re-scheduled Special Meeting and Vote.

PROPOSITION NO. 1
DISTRICT-WIDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Shall the following resolutions be adopted, to wit:

            RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District, Albany and Greene Counties, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to undertake a capital improvement project (the “Project”) consisting of the reconstruction and renovation of, and the construction of improvements and upgrades to, various District buildings and facilities (and the sites thereof) to implement various health, safety, accessibility and code compliance measures required by the State Education Department in connection with any significant capital improvements project, and to undertake various other measures generally as described in (but not to be limited by) the written plan for the Project that was prepared by the District with the assistance of Rhinebeck Architecture and Planning PC (the “Project Plan”), which is available for public inspection in the office of the District Clerk, such work being anticipated to include, without limitation and to the extent as and where required, the particular elements described below. The proposed work will involve various alterations, modifications, repairs, replacements, and/or reconstruction of its existing facilities, including but not limited to: (i) replacement of electrical panelboards, reconstruction of parking lot and sidewalks, replacement of pool lighting, improvements to ventilation, upgrades to fire alarm system, addition of carbon monoxide detectors, replacement of skylights, replacement of roof of and adjacent corridor, replacement of exterior brick work, addition of fencing at solar panel electrical boxes, remediation of drainage issues at practice field, repair of concrete loading dock, replacement of steel windows, replacement of interior corridor doors, addition of portable lift for stage; and addition of exterior access coiling door at the Senior High School; (ii) reconstruction of parking lot, replacement of roofing at hatch and band room, replacement of unit ventilators, replacement of electric hot water heaters, replacement of head end fire alarm panel equipment, addition of carbon monoxide detectors, reconstruction of play/soccer field, reconstruction of exterior caulking, repair of concrete loading dock, replacement of failing windows above gym doors and stairways, replacement of skylights; repair of cracks in stair tower, and replacement of interior windows at the Middle School; (iii) addition of backflow preventor at water supply, replacement of unit ventilators, improvements to cafeteria, replacement of hot water heaters, addition of carbon monoxide detectors, replacement of public address system equipment, addition of fencing around exterior solar panels, replacement of south parking lot and playground area, construction of sidewalk from classrooms to safe zone area, improvements to music and art classrooms, removal of aged flooring, replacement of sprinkler system, replacement of entry/exit lighting, upgrade of smoke detectors, and addition of portable lift for stage at A. W. Becker Elementary School; (iv) addition of backflow preventor at water supply, improvements to music and art classrooms, replacement of unit ventilators, improvements to cafeteria, addition of carbon monoxide detectors, replacement of public address system equipment, addition of fencing around exterior solar panels, addition of kitchen grease trap, reconstruction of drive and parking lot, construction of sidewalk from classrooms to safe zone area, removal of aged flooring, replacement of sprinkler system, replacement of entry/exit lighting, upgrade of smoke detectors, and addition of portable lift for stage at P. B. Coeymans Elementary School; (v) repair of cracks in slab; replacement of doors from bay 1 to bay 2, paving of driveway and gravel parking lot; replacement of water heater, improvements to lighting; improvements to emergency/exit lighting; replacement of fire alarm system, addition of ramp from bay 1 to bay 2, replacement of high bay bus lift, and replacement of remaining steel window at Transportation Building; and (vi) improvements to HVAC and ventilation, installation of new transfer switch, installation of carbon monoxide system, reconstruction of remaining asphalt areas, repair od concrete steps, replacement of unit heater, replacement of water heater, improvement to fire alarm system, construction of ramp, and addition of window in officer area at the Warehouse and miscellaneous site work at other sites. The foregoing components of the Project (or so much thereof as may be reasonably accomplished, given the level of construction bids received) will include the purchase of original furnishings, equipment, machinery, and apparatus required in connection with the purposes for which such buildings, facilities, and sites are used, and all ancillary or related work required in connection therewith. The District will be authorized to expend for the Project, including for preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated maximum cost of $15,026,250, provided that the detailed costs of the components of the Project (as generally described in the Project Plan) may be reallocated among such components, or such components may be deleted, revised or supplemented if (1) the Board shall determine that such reallocation, deletion, revision or supplementation is in the best interests of the District, (2) the aggregate amount to be expended for the Project shall not exceed $15,026,250, and (3) no material change shall be made in the overall scope and nature of the Project; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Board is hereby authorized to expend or apply toward such Project the amount of $5,100,000 from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a tax is hereby voted to finance the balance of the estimated maximum cost of the Project in an amount not to exceed $9,926,250, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by the Board; and be it further

RESOLVED, that in anticipation of such tax, obligations of the District, including, without limitation, serial bonds, bond anticipation notes, statutory installment bonds, and/or lease/purchase obligations, or any combination thereof, are hereby authorized to be issued in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $9,926,250, and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on such obligations as the same shall become due and payable; and be it further

RESOLVED, that New York State Building Aid funds expected to be received by the District are anticipated to offset a substantial part of the cost of the Project, and such funds shall, to the extent received, be applied to offset and reduce the amount of taxes herein authorized to be levied.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that such Proposition No. 1 shall appear on the scannable ballot sheets or the paper ballots, as the case may be, to be utilized at the Special Meeting and Vote in substantially the following abbreviated form:

Proposition No. 1
District-Wide Capital improvement Project

YES    ¨                                                         NO      ¨

Shall the following resolution be adopted, to wit:

RESOLVED, that (a) the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District, Albany and Greene Counties, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to undertake a Capital Improvement Project 2023 (the “Project”) consisting of the reconstruction and renovation of, and the construction of improvements and upgrades to, various District buildings and facilities (and the sites thereof), to implement various health, safety, accessibility, and code compliance measures required by the State Education Department in connection with any significant capital improvement project, and to undertake various other measures as described in greater detail in (but not to be limited by) the Project Plan that was referred to in the public notice of the vote on this Proposition, and to expend therefor an amount not to exceed $15,026,250; (b) the Board is hereby authorized to expend or apply toward the Project (during the current fiscal year of the District) $5,100,000 from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund; (c) a tax is hereby voted in an amount not to exceed $9,926,250 to finance the balance of the estimated maximum cost of the Project, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by the Board; (d) in anticipation of such tax, obligations of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $9,926,250, and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on such obligations as the same shall become due and payable; and (e) New York State Building Aid funds expected to be received by the District are anticipated to offset a substantial part of such costs, and such funds, to the extent received, shall be applied to offset and reduce the amount of taxes herein authorized to be levied.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the School District hereby adopts the findings of Rhinebeck Architecture and Planning PC which has determined that the undertaking of the Project is a Type II action that will not have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, no other determination or procedures under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) is required.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the qualified voters of the District shall be entitled to vote at such special meeting. A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America, (2) eighteen years of age or older, and (3) resident within the District for a period of thirty (30) days next preceding the vote. The District may require all persons offering to vote at the special meeting to provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law §2018-c. Such form may include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card. Upon offer of proof of residency, the District may also require all persons offering to vote to provide their signature, printed name and address.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be obtained at the office of the District Clerk between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the Special Meeting and Vote, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the day before the Special Meeting and Vote, if the ballot is to be issued to the voter in person. The list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection in the office of the District Clerk, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, until the day set for voting, except for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. No absentee ballot will be canvassed unless it is received prior to 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on January 9, 2022, in the office of the District Clerk located at 15 Mountain Road, Ravena, New York 12143.

Dated:             Ravena, New York

First Notice - November 24, 2022

                        Second Notice – December 8, 2022

                        Third Notice – December 22, 2022

                        Fourth Notice – January 5, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ALBANY AND GREENE COUNTIES, NEW YORK

Community-Wide Facilities Planning Survey

Click here to watch the recording of the Capital Project Community Information Night that was held on January 4.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation from the Capital Project Community Information Night.

Meeting #6, 9-22-22

Meeting #3, 7-28-22

Meeting #1 6-9-22

Meeting #2, 6-20-22

Meeting #4, 8-11-22

Minutes from all meetings