Dear Chatham Central School District Community,
I am writing to share some exciting news regarding the improvements coming to the Mary E. Dardess (MED) Elementary School. As part of our Capital Project that voters approved in 2023, we have been working to bring air conditioning to our elementary building. Today, I have a significant update on how we plan to deliver those improvements.
While we originally hoped to install a “whole-building” HVAC system, the construction bids for that design came in much higher than anticipated. In order to stay within the budget that voters approved and still meet our goal, we have redesigned the plan.
The new approach focuses on the areas where our students spend the most time. The revised plan includes:
Installation of individual AC units in every MED classroom.
Installation of a rooftop HVAC system in the MED gym
Installation of a rooftop HVAC system in the MED cafeteria.
This ensures that all our instructional spaces and high-use common areas remain comfortable (the MED library already has air conditioning), even during the hottest months. Installation is planned for the summer of 2027.
Additionally, we are excited to deliver these much-needed improvements to MED while remaining mindful of our taxpayers. When the air conditioning proposition was first approved by voters in 2023, it included a proposed tax hike to pay for the work through bonds. However, thanks to careful financial management, the District has since built up our capital reserves.
This means that we can now pay for the air conditioning project using money we already have on hand and that the proposed tax hike will not be necessary. New York State law requires a public vote in order for the District to use its capital reserves. This will appear as a separate proposition on the annual budget ballot on May 19, 2026.
We’ll have more information about the new MED air conditioning proposition available in the coming weeks. For details and project updates, please visit our 2023 Capital Project page.
Fondly,
Andrew Kourt
Superintendent of Schools