OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Forestville Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor detailed the District’s targeted upgrades with a proposed 2025 Capital Improvements Project of nearly $12 million.

FORESTVILLE — For the first time this school year, the Forestville Central School District held its regular monthly Board of Education meeting in the Alene J. Bradigan Library at the Middle/High School. But this time, the once familiar spot for the Board to convene looked a lot different.The renovations to the Alene J. Bradigan Library at the Middle/High School are now complete. Middle/High School Principal Dan Grande commended Director of Facilities Jim Knoop for the work that has been done renovating the space. “The attention to detail when you look around is really cool,” Grande said. “… There was such a tremendous amount of focus on details. I give Jim and his crew a lot of credit.”

Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor highlighted light fixtures nearly a century old and a photo of Alene J. Bradigan to dedicate the library in her honor as details that stood out, while Grande also mentioned vintage lighting including the entrance, as well as a vintage globe.

Grande noted that the improvements to the library have been well-received by students and staff. “What’s really cool is the look on their faces when they first see it. They are just blown away,” Grande said.

The District also just recently received approval from New York state for its Smart Schools Bond Act plan, which was approved by the Board more than a year ago, at the regular monthly meeting of the Board in January of 2023. As part of the plan, the district will implement security improvements to the building’s doors and entrances. Doors will be reinforced and include an Entry Control System with cards and card readers, along with video intercoms and lockdown and panic buttons. The cost of the upgrades to the District, including the cost of labor, is estimated at $358,413. The Smart Schools Bond Act authorized $2 billion to fund educational technology and infrastructure improvements throughout the state. Forestville was allotted $594,163.

But even with those improvements now approved, there is much more work to be done. The District is set to move forward with proposing the necessary upgrades for a public vote.

With debt reduction on the horizon, a capital reserve account with approximately $2.2 million on hand, and a favorable building aid ratio, the District believes it can design a capital project of approximately $11,875,000 with no additional tax impact to District residents.

“We think we can get a significant amount of work done within those confines,” O’Connor said.

The District has discussed major capital improvements since last November, including tours of both the Middle/High School and the Elementary School, and scope review with architects. The District plans to make substantial improvements to the facilities at both buildings.

First on the list of Elementary School priorities is a repair of the cafeteria. The outside wall of the cafeteria is “in dire need” of repairs according to O’Connor. The District speculates that water damage – likely from the roof that was recently replaced – has created cracks in the foundation. The District also plans to address acoustics, the air handler unit, and the partition between the cafeteria and the gymnasium.

Another of the main priorities for the Elementary School is a front entrance renovation to mitigate flooding concerns, including a canopy over the entrance. The Elementary School also has ceiling tile in the main hallways that has begun to sag because it is beyond its useful life. Wall tiles are also in need of an upgrade and expansion joints in several classrooms are also in need of repair.

Brick repointing is necessary at each of the District’s main buildings, as areas throughout the exterior of the buildings have become damaged from water, which has loosened the grout between the bricks.

Locker rooms at both buildings are in need of updates, but the upgrades are much more necessary at the Middle/High School. Varsity sports such as basketball, volleyball and softball are hosted by Forestville, and the locker rooms at the Middle/High School are “in desperate need” of upgrades, including lockers, showers, restrooms, and ceiling improvements.

The Middle/High School Weight Room is another targeted area for improvement, with the hope of providing access for the community after school hours. Improvements include the adding of a restroom and removing the stage the equipment is held on.

The Elementary School gymnasium could use an additional scoreboard and stairway improvements, while new wall pads and removal of the wall partition are also sought at both building’s gymnasiums.

Heat mitigation is also targeted for both buildings. Window film and/or additional exhaust fans are among the heat mitigation upgrades the District is considering, as a major heating and cooling system installation was deemed too cost-prohibitive for the District to pursue with the other needs the two facilities have.

Second and third floor annex windows at the Middle/High School are beyond their useful life and in need of repair. The District also hopes to repair or replace the student parking area pavement and the stairs leading into the building.

The District also stated the front steps to the Middle/High School are “in desperate need” of repair or replacement. The District also hopes to add a sidewalk from the front steps down the side of the building near the band room. The facade on the auditorium and band room is in need of repair, as is the facade on the bus garage.

The District also hopes to replace its existing Middle/High School generator with a new generator sized to handle the loads required for an emergency shelter. Updated rooftop units and improvements to the gas, electrical, and hot water pumps are also sought by the District.

Construction is targeted to begin in the spring of 2026, if the project is approved later this year. The State Education Department would likely then review the project plans in 2025 after designs are officially completed and submitted.

The Board of Education passed a resolution at the latest meeting that deemed the proposed Capital Outlay Project a Type II action that is not subject to review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, with funding for the $100,000 project to be included in the proposed 2024-2025 budget. The substantial Capital Improvements Project will be targeted for 2025, listed as Proposition 3 on the budget vote. Proposition 1 will be the 2024-2025 budget; Proposition 2 will be the acquisition of school transportation vehicles; and Proposition 3 will be listed as “Capital Improvements Project, 2025.”

The latest updated figures for the proposed 2024-2025 budget show a total budget amount of $14,126,058. While the total budget has increased by 3.5% from last year, the District still plans to go out at no increase to the taxpayers for the second consecutive year. In addition to an increase in revenue of 1.8% from last year and a 3.03% increase in aid, the District’s excessive unassigned fund balance will cover the remaining costs.

The annual budget vote will be held in the Middle/High School lobby, from 1-8 p.m., on May 21. Carol DePasquale will be the site coordinator and Marlene Bradigan will be a poll worker.