The GASD Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution for a capital project totaling $62,140,000. Working with representatives from the district’s engineering and architecture firms and based on the community’s feedback, GASD administrators and officials have identified projects that support the district’s priorities of improving learning opportunities, enhancing safety and security for students and staff, and replacing or updating aging infrastructure.

Click here to view the Capital Project Presentation.

Ongoing facilities condition assessments combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to light priority needs that fall into three main areas: Infrastructure Upgrades, Outdoor Learning Spaces and Technology Replacement & Data Security. Here are the projects in the proposal as they relate to these areas:

• Total estimated cost of 2024-25 Capital Project: $62,140,000

• Capital Reserve: $4,500,000

• Building Aid Ratio: 95.30%

• Maximum Cost Allowance: Maximum amount of actual expenditures upon which the state will pay building aid.

• Tax Impact: No additional tax effort

• Site Features (Scoreboard, Light Pole Base, Message Center, Sidewalks)

• Site Features (New Parking Lot & Drive)

• Building Envelope (Exterior Walls, Exterior Doors, SPF Roof)

• Building Interiors (Store, Wood Shop, Finishes, Stage Floor, Interior Doors)

• Building Interiors (New Classroom, District Office, Weight Room, Production Area)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Temperature Controls, Air Cooled Chiller)

• Plumbing Systems (Sink Aprons, Fixtures, Flush Valves, Water Coolers)

• Electrical Systems (Auditorium Lighting, Emergency Power Circuits)

• Site Features (Catch Basins, Bunn Street Drive, 1930 Wing Parking Lot, Press Box)

• Site Features (New Parking Lot & Drive)

• Building Envelope (Exterior Walls, Exterior Doors, Windows, SPF Roof, Skylights)

• Building Interiors (Restrooms, Flooring, Ceilings, Doors, Stair Refuge, Pool)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Ventilation, Pump Drives, Temperature Controls)

• Plumbing Systems (Floor Drains, Sanitary Drainage, HW Storage, Water Coolers)

• Electrical Systems (Emergency & Exit Lighting)

• Site Features (Stormwater Outfall, Retaining Wall Fence)

• Building Envelope (Exterior Walls, Exterior Doors)

• Building Interiors (Health Office, Flooring, Lockers, Interior Doors, Bleachers)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Boilers, Temperature Controls)

• Plumbing Systems (Plumbing Fixtures, Sink Aprons)

• Electrical Systems (Cabling Removals)

• Site Features (New Parking Lot & Drive, Sidewalks)

• Building Envelope (SPF Roof)

• Building Interiors (New Partitions, Locker Rooms, Flooring, Ceilings, Cubbies, Doors)

• Building Interiors (Secured Entry, Main Office, Health Office, Restrooms, OT/PT)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Boilers, Air Cooled Chilled Water System)

• Plumbing Systems (Sink Aprons)

• Electrical Systems (LED Lighting, Exit & Emergency Lighting, Cabling Removals)

• Site Features (New Message Center, Playground Restoration, Relocated Ball Field)

• Building Envelope (Exterior Walls, Exterior Door Air Locks, Office Area Windows)

• Building Interiors (Casework, Office, Restrooms, Flooring, Interior Doors)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Dryer Vent, Kitchen Hood & Exhaust, Temp. Controls)

• Plumbing Systems (Sanitary Drainage / Kitchen Grease Trap)

• Electrical Systems (Cabling Removals)

• Site Features (Stormwater Management, Parking Lot Reconstruction, Sidewalks)

• Building Envelope (Exterior Walls, SPF Roofing, Skylights)

• Building Interiors (New Partitions, Restrooms, Flooring, Gym Floor, Interior Doors)

• HVAC / Mechanical Systems (Boilers, Temperature Controls)

• Plumbing Systems (Art Sink, Pipe Insulation, Fixtures, Flush Valves)

• Electrical Systems (LED Lighting, Exit & Emergency Lighting, Cabling Removals)

• February, 2024 - BOE Overview, File NYSED Letter of Intent

• March, 2024 - Resolutions - Lead Agency/SEQR/Bond/Vote

• April-May, 2024 - Publications of 4-Legal Notices

• May, 2024 - Newsletter and Public Meetings

• May 21, 2024 - Voter Referendum

• June-Sept., 2024 - Design Period - Phase 1

• Oct-April, 2025 - SED Review (26-Weeks), Bid - Phase 1

• June, 2025 - Construction Start – Phase 1

A: Just like a home, school facilities need regular attention and upkeep to continue to operate year after year as originally intended. The New York State Department of Education requires school districts to inspect its property regularly and maintain a five-year capital improvement plan. Capital improvement projects are a way for school districts to complete more substantial facilities work, including upgrades, renovations and replacements as compared to regular maintenance.

A: Routine repairs and maintenance are funded through the district’s general fund as part of the annual school district budget. Larger projects and capital improvements cannot realistically be funded through the annual school district budget. 

The annual school budget does contain funds to support routine repairs and maintenance of the district’s one million square feet of buildings and 265 acres of grounds. However, the cost of more significant projects, like roofing, paving, HVAC work, or major renovations is too costly to be included in the regular operating budget of the district, especially with a cap on the tax levy.

A: The lifespan of a school district capital project can be 3-5 years, from start to finish, including development, community input, bidding, New York State Department of Education approval, and construction. Amsterdam's approach to capital improvement projects has been to complete smaller projects every 5-6 years rather than less frequent, larger, more costly projects that are more time intensive and disruptive. Our district believes that smaller projects are easier to manage and cause less disruption to the educational process. 

A: New York school districts are required to conduct regular building condition surveys and to develop multi-year facilities plans, which can help identify aging, outdated or energy inefficient school infrastructure and facilities issues related to health and wellness.

A: While faculty, staff and the community as a whole would benefit from a capital improvement project, the group that would see the biggest impact is students. The projects proposed in this facilities upgrade plan will provide Amsterdam students with more comfortable, safer, and more secure learning environments.  Modernized, updated instructional technology provides GASD students with collaborative learning opportunities while expanding their perspectives in the classroom.

A: If residents do not approve the proposed capital project in the fall, aging infrastructure as well as comfort, safety and security issues could possibly disrupt students’ instruction and educational environment. GASD would have to address these issues as needed and the costs for that work would be paid from the district’s operating budget, without state aid reimbursement. Work that is required to be done on an emergency basis is likely to be more costly and much more disruptive to student learning. 

The district could choose to revise the capital project and offer voters a new proposal at a later date; however this delay could result in increased costs.

A: Qualified voters must be age 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote, and registered with either the school district or Albany County Board of Elections. 

A: The vote is scheduled for May 21, 2024 between the hours of noon and 9:00 p.m. at the elementary school in which you reside. 

Kristin Barnhill, School Business Official
Kbarnhill@gasd.org