2023 Capital Improvement Project

About

Chatham Central School District is undertaking this project to improve our educational facilities and address issues with our aging infrastructure. Just like any property, schools need regular upkeep and infrastructure upgrades in order to serve the needs of our students and community effectively. The District’s buildings range in age from approximately 52 to 120 years old.

As a capital project, this work is eligible for 49.6% state aid. This significantly reduces the project’s impact on local property taxes. For every dollar the District spends it will get approximately 50 cents back in state building aid. 

In February, 2023, residents approved a two-proposition referendum authorizing $22,098,195 in capital improvements for Chatham CSD's facilities.

Project Scope of Work*

Chatham High School 

Base Scope

  • Replace entire building’s roof - completed phase 1

  • Replace gymnasium floor - phase 3

  • Replace gymnasium bleachers - phase 3

  • Replace gymnasium HVAC - completed phase 2

  • Renovate toilet rooms (excluding auditorium toilets) - ongoing

  • Modernize Science Classrooms (4) - completed phase 2

  • Relocate and upgrade Art Classrooms (2) - completed  phase 2

  • Replace auditorium flooring (epoxy and carpet) - phase 3

  • Replace auditorium seating - phase 3

  • Replace classroom partition walls with permanent, secure, fire-rated walls - completed phase 1 & 2

  • Renovate band and choir rooms - phase 3

  • Exterior masonry repairs: replace stucco panels with metal panels - completed phase 1 & 2

  • Upgrade entrance lobby - ongoing

  • Redesign main building entrance with canopy - completed phase 1 & 2

  • Upgrade technology room/relocate tech computer lab adjacent to technology room - ongoing

  • Convert old tech computer lab to classroom - completed phase 2

  • Replace whole-building generator - completed phase 1

  • Repair curbing - completed phase 2

  • Install branding signage at rear of school on exterior gym wall - phase 3

  • Mill & repave parking lot - completed phase 2

  • Replace chain link fence between MED & CHS - completed phase 2

Alternate Scope

  • Install library doors to courtyard; convert courtyard to outdoor reading/classroom area - completed only in the event of leftover funds from Capital Project

Mary E. Dardess Elementary School 

Base Scope

  • Install air conditioning - options currently being explored due to cost estimates coming in higher than amount approved by voters

*Unfavorable bidding conditions/cost increases did not allow for all items originally proposed for this project to be included in the final scope of work. As a result, District officials focused the majority of project work on Chatham High School, the building most in need of renovation, in order to keep the project within the maximum budget approved by voters.

Chatham High School 

CHS roof
CHS Stucco
Example of leak damage
Science room
CHS auditorium seating
CHS Parking lot

Existing Science, Art, Technology, and Band Room Conditions

High School Science Classroom
art room at chs
technology room at chs
band room at high school

Sample Conceptual Science, Art, Technology, and Band Rooms

Conceptual science room
conceptual art room
Conceptual tech computer lab
Conceptual band room

Conceptual Entrance & Lobby Renderings

Conceptual High School entrance
conceptual High School lobby

Background

  • In December 2021, Chatham CSD completed a thorough review of our facilities needs, as part of the state-mandated Building Condition Survey that school's are required to complete every five years. It identified several areas that required attention due to their age and condition, or where renovating/updating certain spaces would allow those areas to better meet the needs of students and the larger school community.

  • On October 25, 2022, the District's Facilities Committee provided the Board of Education with a preliminary vision for the scope of the potential project. From this initial presentation, refined that vision to determine what improvements would be included in the Capital Improvement Project proposal that residents would be asked to decide on.

  • On November 28, Chatham Central School District held a public information session to inform residents about the proposed capital project being developed.

  • On December 13, the District's Facilities Committee presented their final recommendations and the Board of Education voted to approve the project proposal.

  • On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, residents approved propositions #1 and #2 in a public referendum.

Related News

2018 Capital Project

The previous capital project approved by voters was in 2018. This project has been completed. Information about it can be found on our 2018 Capital Project page...

Questions? Email us at capitalproject@chatham.k12.ny.us