Capital Project

North Salem Central School District unveiled a comprehensive capital improvement plan at the February 26 board meeting. The proposal addresses aging infrastructure while transforming underutilized spaces into modern learning environments across all district facilities.

The $24.51 million bond proposal represents more than a year of careful analysis and planning by the district's Facilities Committee, which conducted thorough assessments of both school buildings and the bus garage. Their work began after the 2023 state-mandated Building Condition Survey identified 300 areas requiring attention, many involving original building systems that have reached the end of their useful lives. The facilities plan reflects a balanced approach, focusing on three core principles: creating healthy, relevant learning environments, protecting the community's investment in school infrastructure, and making financially responsible decisions that benefit all stakeholders.

The most visible change would be a striking new entrance facade at the Middle School/High School, enhancing security and the building's overall appearance. The lobby will be transformed with new seating and workspace areas. The middle school commons will be reimagined with new lighting, ceilings, floors, and, most notably, flexible seating to provide adaptable learning spaces for students and classes. An unused balcony above the main entrance will be enclosed for additional conference and workspaces. The library renovation will provide students with flexible seating options alongside quiet meeting and study spaces to create collaborative learning zones.

The driveway and parking lots will be upgraded and redesigned to improve student driver safety and parking capacity. Critical infrastructure improvements include the building roof and electrical systems. Classroom air ventilators will also be repaired or replaced to improve classroom air quality and energy efficiency.

At Pequenakonck Elementary School, the plan addresses fundamental infrastructure needs while creating more adaptable learning environments. Original windows will be replaced, and heating and ventilation systems will be updated to improve air quality and energy efficiency. Additional areas selected for repairs and upgrades include the campus driveway, exterior drainage, and the roof. The enhanced library will provide flexible learning spaces. The multipurpose room will be reimagined with an elevated platform, ideal for presentations, small groups, and community meetings.

The district's transportation fleet requires a reliable home base. The proposed garage improvements include driveway and paving upgrades alongside equipment modernization to ensure continued safe and dependable service for student transportation.

The capital project proposal will be presented for community voting on May 20 as Proposition #2. This critical investment of $24.51 million has the potential to modernize North Salem's school infrastructure to create a dynamic learning environment equipped to support our students for future success.

Overall Budgets

• District Bus Garage – $1,758,952
• Pequenakonck Elementary School – $9,457,857
• Middle School/High School – $13,299,819

Details for Bus Garage: $1,758,952

• Pavement replacement and parking improvements: $1,259,375
• Replacement of the aging bus lift, which will accommodate electric buses in anticipation of a future state mandate for electrification of bus fleets: $201,319
• A new oil separator for floor drains to mitigate contamination: $20,473
• Update to fueling stations: $277,784

Details for PQ: $9,457,858

• Repair driveway and curbing, fix exterior drainage piping and replace culverts $2,097,202
• Replace 17% of the roof and repair another 23%: $1,224,470
• Address building envelope issues to enhance energy efficiencies; replace classroom windows many of which date to the original construction of the school in 1967: $1,187,316
• Replace end-of-life heating and ventilation equipment to improve air quality: $2,948,870
• Redesign library and multi-purpose room for collaborative, 21st century learning: $2,000,000

Middle School/High School Total: $13,299,819

• Driveway and parking lot upgrades and redesign for enhanced parking and redirecting traffic flow at the high school to enhance safety for our student drivers $2,925,000
• Roofing: 35% of the roof will be replaced, another 33% will be repaired: $3,668,600
• Electrical upgrades: Existing equipment dates to 1967 when the building was constructed, and replacement parts are proving challenging to find: $1,322,019
• Upgrade to classroom air ventilators to improve air quality: $2,709,200
• Library renovation, middle school quads renovation, auditorium lobby and balcony renovation to take advantage of underutilized spaces and create 21st century learning environments. $2,675,000

There are several good reasons to invest in school district facilities, resulting in both direct and indirect positive impacts. Building upgrades realize operational efficiencies and financial savings, and better teaching conditions are good for teacher retention. High quality school district amenities result in increased in property values.

Just like our homes, school buildings must be maintained to ensure a safe environment and to protect our investment.

Much of the proposed project addresses roof replacement and repair, paving, and electrical and air quality upgrades.

Teaching and learning styles have changed dramatically in recent years with a focus on collaborative, student-centered learning. That is why we are proposing the reimagined multi-purpose library spaces in both school buildings.

The District conducts ongoing, routine maintenance work every year. While much of the work highlighted in the Building Conditions Survey has been maintained as part of the operating budget, the proposed work includes medium- to large-scale projects that fall outside the definition of routine maintenance. Replacing big-ticket items that are approaching the end of their useful lives through a bond will avoid costly, emergency action in the future, achieve economies-of-scale, and minimize disruption to the students.

It benefits taxpayers to do this type of work through a capital project, rather than the annual budget. This way costs will be spread over a longer period of time (16 years) and therefore shared by more residents living in the community and using the schools. Like a home mortgage, this spreads the payment out over the useful life of the improvements and minimizes the impact on the taxpayer. 

Capital projects are eligible for building aid which is not available to projects completed with operating funds.

A: Yes, 90.2 % of the capital bond qualifies for 17% building aid.

The board proposes to draw the remaining funds of $105,018 from the existing Capital Reserve Fund to help offset costs of this project.

For residents of the Town of North Salem, the anticipated cost of this Capital Project for a home assessed at $750,000 would be $641 a year (with the Basic STAR exemption).

For those who live in Carmel, Somers and Southeast, please use this calculator to determine the estimated tax impact on your property. 

Should the community approve the proposition in May, the state approval process will proceed immediately, and we anticipate construction to begin in the summer of 2026 and be completed by Winter 2027-2028. Work would be scheduled to minimize disruption to our students and learning.  

Please email 2025CapitalProject@northsalemschools.org