The Ellenville Board of Education is proposing a $22.3 million Facilities Improvement Capital Project to voters on Tuesday, December 3rd. The project aims to enhance safety, improve athletic fields and outdoor learning spaces, and modernize aging infrastructure at the district's schools.

The proposed project includes a series of upgrades to address safety and infrastructure needs, including replacing outdated fire-rated doors and hardware, improving ventilation, upgrading handrails and emergency lighting, and replacing the aging water service line from the Village of Ellenville to the Jr/Sr High School.

The project is meant to also prioritize improvements to the district's athletic fields and outdoor learning spaces, which are used by students, staff, and community members. Improvements include:

Creating an outdoor classroom at the elementary school.

Renovating baseball and softball fields with new backstops, dugouts, bullpens, batting tunnels, scoreboards, bleachers, and drainage.

Rehabilitating hockey and soccer fields.

Reconstructing existing 6-lane track into an 8-lane, all-weather track.

Replacing current grass field with an all-weather artificial turf field for football, soccer, and field hockey.

Upgrading the field lighting system with energy-efficient LED lights.

Replacing the existing grandstand bleachers with new bleachers that include an integrated press box.

Demolishing and relocating the over 50-year-old bathhouse, in partnership with the Town of Wawarsing, to serve as community restrooms and a concession stand for school athletic events.

Paving footpaths to connect the athletic fields to the new restrooms and concession stand, ensuring ADA-compliant access.

The district plans to fund the project through a combination of sources, including $2.5 million from a voter-approved Capital Reserve and state Building Aid, which will cover 41.7% of the cost. The remaining cost will be financed through a bond issuance.

According to Superintendent Lisa A. Wiles, the project is part of the district's long-term capital improvement plan and is meant to provide safe and modern facilities for students.

The public can vote on the proposed project on Tuesday, December 3rd, from 8 am to 8 pm at the Ellenville Junior/Senior High School Media Center. More information about the project, including a complete list of proposed improvements and its impact on local property taxes, is available on the district website at www.ecs.k12.ny.us/capitalproject2024.