Optimizing Onteora: A Tax Neutral Capital Project
Thanks to all those students, staff, faculty and community members who have partnered with the District's team of architects, engineers, and administrators to dream up a modernized central campus in Boiceville that will provide our students an inspiring place to learn together, our staff an incredible place to work, and our community a central hub for gathering - at no additional cost to taxpayers.
What will be different about this new campus?
We imagine a central campus with revitalized learning spaces in a park-like setting rooted in our rich Onteora history and the surrounding Catskills where everyone can learn and grow together. What does it look like to bring this vision to life?
Inspiration for Potential Designs
Physical features of the proposed campus design include:
Learning spaces that inspire creativity and growth
- New science labs
- Expanded art and music classrooms
- Auditorium renovations
- New art exhibition space
- Outdoor classrooms
- Upgraded athletic fields, lights, and grounds
- Adaptive meeting spaces for staff, students, and community groups
Healthy environment for a sustainable future
- Upgraded infrastructure (electric, plumbing, etc.)
- Adding air conditioning
- Replacing old windows
- Improved air quality
- Upgraded health and wellness spaces
- Quiet areas to recharge
Catskills-inspired school campus
- Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces
- Student-led gardens and expanded green spaces
- Shared resources across campus (e.g. elementary gym used for modified sports; auditorium shared by all)
- Pedestrian zone in center of campus with improved traffic flow
- Pathways between buildings for greater connection
- Expanded play areas integrated with natural surroundings
- Park-like setting rooted in our rich Onteora history
- Food truck hookup
- Separate entrance to restrooms for outdoor school events
...And More!
Floor Plans & Site Work Schematics
How will we fund the project?
We have strategically structured the $70.5 million project so it can be funded without increasing the tax levy. First, we will apply $15 million saved in our voter approved Capital Reserve and cash on hand, reducing the level of borrowing needed to fund the project to $55.5 million and saving on interest costs.
We will borrow the $55.5 million in increments, to be repaid over 20 years, starting in 2028. Each year of the repayment, we will receive approximately $1.3 million of State Aid, which can be combined with more than $3 million in annual savings generated through the efficiencies of a central campus to allow us to repay our debt without increasing taxes.
These cost savings will continue to grow and help offset future budget increases — which is especially important as we anticipate significant changes to the New York State Foundation Aid formula and a possible reduction in federal funding. The loss of these existing revenues could force the closure of Woodstock in a manner that is reactive and does not include the benefits of a thoughtful Capital Project plan designed with the voices of diverse stakeholder groups.
What happens after a successful vote?
A successful bond vote is an important step - but by no means the last step - in bringing our campus vision to life.
Our Commitments:
- We will continue to partner with key stakeholders and subject matter experts to refine our campus design.
- We will show up alongside the community to honor and celebrate the heritage of Woodstock Elementary School and support students, teachers, staff and families through this transition.
- We will remain steadfast to our mission.
- We will be thoughtful about how to adapt closed schools in partnership with the community.
- We will communicate updates about refinements to campus plans, share the building schedule, and create opportunities for community dialogue.
Commonly Asked Questions
- How was the project developed?
- How does this project support our staff?
- How does this project serve the community?
- How much money will be saved by having a central campus?
- Is closing our schools the only way?
- Will rejecting the proposition prevent the closure of Woodstock Elementary School?
- What is happening with our closed school properties?
- When will Woodstock Elementary School close?
- How will we manage the integration of Bennett and Woodstock Elementary Schools?
- How will we engage faculty, staff and students as we bring this vision to life?
- What are the benefits of our new turf field?
How was the project developed?
How does this project support our staff?
How does this project serve the community?
How much money will be saved by having a central campus?
Is closing our schools the only way?
Will rejecting the proposition prevent the closure of Woodstock Elementary School?
What is happening with our closed school properties?
When will Woodstock Elementary School close?
How will we manage the integration of Bennett and Woodstock Elementary Schools?
How will we engage faculty, staff and students as we bring this vision to life?
What are the benefits of our new turf field?
Working together
Thank you to the teachers, students, and community members who have partnered with us to craft a vision for a modernized central campus. We appreciate your curiosity, ideas, and partnership; our campus plans are better for it! We are committed to continue listening and learning from our community as we shape the future of our schools together. Email your questions or comments to optimizing@onteora.k12.ny.us.
MISSION: Our Onteora schools exist to educate and nurture the children of our diverse community. Our mission is to create an engaging and healthy learning environment that empowers all students to pursue their dreams, achieve their goals, and contribute thoughtfully to the global community.
Community Presentation
Join us on Thursday, April 24 at 6 PM in the Onteora Middle/High School Cafeteria for a Capital Project presentation, which will include a Q&A session.
Voting
Polls will be open at Woodstock and Bennett Elementary School on Tuesday, May 20 from 2-9 PM. Qualified voters can also find applications to vote by absentee or early mail ballot here.
To be qualified to vote, individuals must be:
- a United States citizen
- at least 18 years old
- a resident of the school district for the past 30 days
- not otherwise ineligible to vote
Presentation on Capital Project
You can also view the slides for the presentation here.
TIMELINE
If passed, we will begin to work with our architectural and construction professionals to develop the final designs for submission to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) right away. Once NYSED approval is secured, a competitive bidding process will be executed. After bids are awarded, then work can begin. Construction will be phased in a manner to create minimal disruptions to teaching and learning, with nights, weekends, holidays, and vacation times being used for updates to student-occupied spaces. The project is anticipated to be complete by September of 2028.
Community Visioning
Thank you to everyone who participated in our public forums, visioning activities, and focus groups and contributed to the development of this Capital Project. Presentations and notes from these sessions are available here.
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