Capital Project

East Greenbush Central School District voters approved a $116 million capital project during the Budget Vote and Board Election on May 21, 2024 that will improve facilities and grounds at all seven schools. The project includes items such as replacement of HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality and adding air conditioning throughout all five elementary schools, classroom additions at elementary schools to accommodate pre-k and increasing enrollment, library renovations in all schools, new playgrounds, athletic field improvements, upgrades to sidewalks and parking lots, and infrastructure improvements at all schools.

The estimated cost for the proposed project is $116 million, but due to state building aid and expiring debt, there would be no additional impact to local taxpayers. It is estimated that the state will reimburse the district approximately 72% of eligible costs for this project ensuring no additional tax burden for district residents.

Scope of the Capital Project

  • HVAC/Air Conditioning in Elementary Schools
    • Bell Top
    • DPS
    • Genet
    • Green Meadow
    • Red Mill (DESIGN APPROVED BY NYSED)
  • Athletic Fields/Courts
    • Goff Middle School
      • New Multipurpose Turf Field and 6-Lane Track (IN PROCESS)
      • New Elevated Grass Practice Fields with Drainage (IN PROCESS)
      • New Tennis/Pickleball/Basketball Court
      • New Access Road with Parking Lot (IN PROCESS)
      • Renovations to Locker Rooms
      • New Digital Sign
    • Columbia High School
      • Improvements to Baseball Field, Softball Field and Grass Fields
      • Replacement of Tennis Courts (COMPLETED)
      • Reconstructed Basketball Courts (COMPLETED)
      • Install New Fiber Runs from School to Turf Field
      • Replacement of PA System
      • New Bleachers on Visitor Side of Turf Field
      • New Digital Sign
  • Elementary Playgrounds
  • Library Renovations in All Schools
    • Columbia
    • Goff (DESIGN APPROVED BY NYSED)
    • Bell Top
    • DPS
    • Genet
    • Green Meadow
    • Red Mill (DESIGN APPROVED BY NYSED)
  • Classroom Additions
  • New Lighting/Sound System in Columbia Auditorium
  • Redesigned Four-Lane Entrance to Columbia with Pedestrian Walkway
  • New Roof at Columbia High School (COMPLETED)
  • New and Reconstructed Sidewalks
  • New and Reconstructed Parking Lots
  • Safety/Security
  • New Water Fountains with Bottle Fillers
  • Electrical
  • Removal of Hazardous Materials
  • Plumbing
  • Exterior Doors/Weather Protection
  • General Site Improvements
  • Buildings and Grounds Improvements

Timeline

The Capital Project, which was approved by voters on May 21, 2024, is anticipated to be completed in six different phases over the next five years due to the scope of the project, working around the school schedule, NYSED timelines, and maximizing state building aid reimbursement to defray the overall cost for local taxpayers.

Phase 1A – CHS Roof, CHS Tennis Courts, CHS Basketball Courts

  • July 29, 2024 – Design plans for Phase 1A submitted to NYS Education Department
  • November 2024 – Phase 1A approved by NYS Education Department
  • February 12, 2025 – Construction bids selected
  • April 2025 – Construction begins for Tennis Courts and Basketball Courts
  • May 12, 2025 – Construction begins for CHS Roof
  • August 14, 2025 – Tennis Courts and Basketball Courts Opened to Public

Phase 1B – Goff Athletic Fields, Access Road and Elevator

  • November 2024 – Design plans for Phase 1B submitted to NYS Education Department
  • April 2025 – Design plans approved by NYS Education Department
  • August 2025 – Construction bids selected
  • September 2025 – Construction begins for Goff athletic fields and new access road
  • Summer 2026 – Construction begins for Goff elevator

Phase 2 – Red Mill Air Conditioning, Playground and Library / Goff Library

  • April 2025 – Design plans for Phase 2 submitted to NYS Education Department
  • August 2025 – Design plans approved by NYS Education Department
  • January 2026 – Construction bids selected
  • February 2026 – Construction begins

Phase 3 – Goff Main Entrance, Fitness/Locker Rooms and Music Rooms / Green Meadow Air Conditioning, Playground and Library

  • April 2026 – Design plans for Phase 2 submitted to NYS Education Department
  • February 2027 – Construction begins

Phase 4 – Columbia Entrance Road, Parking Lots, Baseball Field, Multipurpose Fields / Buildings and Grounds Renovations / Transportation Upgrades and Exterior Parking Lots

  • February 2027 – Design plans for Phase 2 submitted to NYS Education Department
  • January 2028 – Construction begins

Phase 5 – Bell Top Addition, Air Conditioning, Playground and Library / DPS Addition, Air Conditioning, Playground and Library / Genet Addition, Air Conditioning, Library and Exterior Improvements

  • June 2027 – Design plans for Phase 5 submitted to NYS Education Department
  • April 2028 – Construction begins

Tentative/Proposed Capital Project Schedule (last updated July 8, 2025)

Cost

The estimated cost for the proposed project is $116 million, but due to state building aid and expiring debt, there would be no additional impact to local taxpayers.

  • State Aid:
    • NYS Building Aid will fund 72% of eligible project costs
    • The district anticipates 84% of project costs will be eligible for building aid
  • Capital Reserve: Voter-approved savings from previous years
    • $2 million currently in a voter-approved capital reserve which will be used to offset project costs, saving local taxpayers money
  • Debt Payoff:
    • District nearing final payoff of debt from prior capital projects
    • Older debt payments will drop off and comparable new debt payments will be added
    • Result: Local taxpayer share is projected to be tax neutral

Resources:

Infographic

Capital Project Infographic

Videos