BOE Reviews Capital Project Steering Committee Recommendations for Spring 2026 Bond Referendum

At the Board of Education meeting on Monday, September 15th, BOE members heard a comprehensive presentation from the Capital Project Steering Committee, outlining preliminary recommendations for a potential 2026 bond referendum. The proposed scope of work reflects six months of study, collaboration, and debate among educators, administrators, architects, engineers, parents, and community members.

The committee was convened last spring with a clear mandate: evaluate building conditions, review educational program needs, and identify capital priorities to sustain and improve district facilities. The work was guided by Scarsdale’s strategic plan, with a focus on long-term sustainability, safe learning environments, and equity across schools.

Key principles from the presentation, emphasized that:

-Student learning should drive investment decisions.

-Facilities upkeep is an ongoing responsibility requiring both annual budget support and periodic bond financing.

-Stakeholder engagement must be continuous and iterative.

-Long-range financial planning should shape all capital decisions.

The committee members also pointed out that Scarsdale maintains more than 978,000 square feet of facilities, including seven school buildings, some nearing 100 years old. To manage these assets, the district uses a mix of maintenance budgets, capital appropriations, and bond financing.
They additionally made note that current debt service is set to decline in 2027–28, creating an opportunity to fund roughly $40 million in new capital projects without increasing the tax levy. This “tax-neutral” figure became a reference point for the committee, though the preliminary proposal now totals approximately $96 million—an amount that would add an estimated $560 annually to the average homeowner’s tax bill.
Four Priority Categories of Work

After nine meetings, site visits, and extensive deliberation, the committee identified four categories of projects:

Infrastructure (Building Condition Survey)

Estimated cost: $33.5 million

Prioritized health, safety, and code compliance items (e.g., HVAC, roofing, plumbing, fire safety).

Air Conditioning

Estimated cost: $12 million

Focus on cooling gyms, auditoriums, libraries, and multipurpose rooms, along with Heathcote’s classrooms, reflecting both climate realities and community expectations.

Fields

Estimated cost: $5.7 million

Includes turf replacement at Scarsdale Middle School and new multipurpose/softball fields at Fox Meadow.

Spatial Renovations & New Constructio

Estimated cost: $44.4 million

Major updates for Fox Meadow and Edgewood elementary schools, targeted classroom renovations, a reconfigured Heathcote library, and selective improvements at Scarsdale High School and the middle school.

Community Considerations and Next Steps

In this preliminary recommendation, the committee emphasized equity, recommending that infrastructure and air conditioning work should be spread across all schools, while spatial renovations should focus first on schools with the greatest needs.

The committee also made clear that questions remain regarding enrollment boundaries, the placement of special education programs, and food service facilities. They related that a demographic study is underway, and further community engagement will shape the final bond proposal.

After the presentation, BOE members expressed appreciation for the committee’s work, while also raising concerns about balancing transformative projects—like a possible new cafeteria at the middle school—with the realities of cost. During the lengthy discussion, several members also urged caution about investing in “status quo” renovations that might limit flexibility for future reconfiguration.

The Board will continue discussions this fall, with the goal of refining the project scope and determining whether to move forward with a bond referendum in Spring 2026.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez, Co-Chair of the PTC budget committee, along with Rachana Singh, addressed the community to introduce themselves and emphasize the importance of parental involvement in the budget process and capital projects. They highlighted their roles as parents and professionals in financial risk and business, encouraging community members to engage with the budget and bond proposals. The Co-Chairs plan to analyze the district's proposals, work with budget liaisons, and address questions about committee composition, taxpayer income, school equity, and the bond's tax neutrality. They also mentioned having 30 questions prepared for further discussion.

The board also highlighted the importance of community engagement and the need for clear communication about the project's impact and financial implications. They considered several approaches to ensuring communication and garnering feedback from all constituents such as combining bond discussions with regular coffee meetings.

Details from the presentations slideshow can be found here.