Schools

Bond Referendum on Bedford Central's Capital Plan is Tuesday

The Bedford Central School District will hold its bond referendum on Tuesday for its proposed capital plan, which is a collection of building fixes that costs roughly $31.8 million.

Most of the plan's costs are for West Patent Elementary School, costing $14,291,840, and Fox Lane Middle School, which is $6,695,015.

The elementary school will receive an extensive renovation, including replacement of the exterior facade and replacements for the ceiling, lighting, windows and roof. Two new internal classrooms will be created in the upper school wing, replacing previously open space, while exits and bathrooms will receive upgrades for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The school will also get roof-mounted solar panels and a new boiler.

The middle school's science labs will be gutted and upgraded, while there will be renovations of the house lobbies. The school's existing cafeteria will also be expanded and act as a multi-purpose space, while ADA upgrades will be made in the form of bathroom renovations, and work on the water coolers and workroom. Also included are a new elevator for the gym (this is ADA-related) and there will be some roof replacement work.

The Fox Lane campus will receive three significant repairs, with a replaced track and turf costing more than $2.5 million and water distribution system replacement worth almost $1.7 million.

There will also be roof replacement work at Fox Lane High School, Bedford Village Elementary School, Bedford Hills Elementary School and Pound Ridge Elementary School. The only school not to be included in the capital plan is Mount Kisco Elementary School, which is not slated for major work at this point.

Bedford Central officials have spent years getting to the vote date. In a timeline provided by the district, the first work that lead to the capital plan came with 2010 building condition surveys that were performed by architects. Work then commenced, by a committee, to give project recommendations. At one point the district considered a package that was around $75 million in cost, which included several more items. The district trimmed the project to its current scope and cost earlier this year, with the school board approving the Oct. 22 referendum date at a board meeting in June. 

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with each elementary school serving as a polling place. Voters' polling places will be at whichever elementary school their home is included under for its attendance area.

Summaries of the capital plan can be found at this link and at this link. The district has a comprehensive information list at this link. 


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