2018 Capital Project

In May, 2018, Chatham Central School District Voters approved a $9,784,665 capital project to shore up aging infrastructure throughout the District and address safety and security concerns. This project did not require the District to levy additional taxes. It was completed in 2021.


How is the District Paying for the Project

The use of reserves and state aid allows the District to pay for the project without the need to levy additional taxes. Chatham Central Schools entered into a 15-year bond to pay for the project. New York State building aid will reimburse the District for approximately half of the total cost. In previous years, voters approved the District to create Capital Reserve Funds to pay for future capital work. The District will expend $2,084,472 from the 2008 Capital Reserve Fund, $2,000,000 from the 2015 Capital Reserve Fund, $1,139,235 from the 2017 Capital Reserve Fund, and $150,000 from unappropriated fund balance to pay the other half, or local share, of the bond.


Work items included:

After careful consideration and thorough review by the Facilities Committee and Board of Education, Chatham Central Schools proposed a capital improvement project that addressed the areas that were in need of immediate attention in order to keep our facilities healthy, safe, and secure places to learn.

Chatham High School

• Replaced rooftop air-conditioning units

• Improvements to interior ventilation systems

• Upgraded fire alarm

• Upgraded kitchen equipment

• Installed backup air conditioning unit in server room

• Replaced waterproof flashing along roof

• Reconstructed loading dock and added safety rail

• Replaced outdated electrical panels and transformers

• Minor restorations to masonry

• Minor upgrades to plumbing

Chatham Middle School

• Constructed secure entrance vestibule at front door

• Constructed safe exit-way from boiler room

• Replaced sections of roof (totaling 33,000 square feet)

• Upgraded gym lighting and ventilation

• Replaced air-conditioning systems (school offices, public library, & technology wing)

• Restored plaster, paint, and improve ventilation (auditorium)

• Installed staff bathroom on third floor

• Replaced aging oil lines

• Replaced aging plumbing

• Replace exterior doors (boiler room & gym entrance)

• Added electrical switching for hallway lights

• Restored exterior trim and gutters

• Restored exterior masonry

• Addressed poor drainage around building

Mary E. Dardess (MED) Elementary School

• Replaced underground fuel oil tank and oil lines

• Replaced corroded pipes and other plumbing upgrades

• Replaced exterior doors (District offices & 1st-3rd grade wing)

• Replaced bathroom ceilings (District offices & kindergarten classrooms)

• Re-sealed exterior windows, louvers and joints

• Installed backup air-conditioning unit for server room

Chatham Public Library

• Upgraded alarm and public address systems

• Replaced lighting (upper floor)

• Painted ceiling (upper floor)

• Restored exterior trim and gutters

• Minor restorations to masonry

Bus Garage

• Replaced exterior paneling

• Replaced gutters

• Replaced interior and exterior lighting

• Replaced electrical panel

• Installed vehicle ventilation hoses (maintenance shop)

Site Work

• Repaved MED parking lot (keeping existing parking/traffic pattern)

• Repaved campus drive from MED to Woodbridge Avenue

• Repaved CMS parking area along Library Place

• Resurfaced CHS track

• Resurfaced CHS tennis courts

• Constructed 1,200 square-foot storage shed behind CHS

*For a complete scope of work and cost estimates, see our Pre-Referendum Scope of Work