After months of collaborative work with district leaders, staff, students, families and community members, the Ichabod Crane CSD Board of Education has unanimously adopted the two Capital Project propositions, which will go to a community vote on December 16.
At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved (7-0) a resolution to place two propositions on the ballot for a referendum on December 16.
“The school year is off to an amazing start and incredible things are happening across our campus. I am very proud of our Facilities Committee and the work they have done to plan for this Capital Project referendum,” said Superintendent Marie Digirolamo.
This project continues a cycle of investments that most recently began in 2012 with upgrades to the High School library, gym and locker rooms – followed by the 2014 Primary School addition and the 2018 Capital Project, which included the creation of the High School STEAM Wing, premiere gymnasium at the Middle School and key safety upgrades.
The goal of the proposed Capital Project set for a vote on December 16 is threefold – upgrading aging infrastructure, supporting future-ready instruction and creating spaces that enhance student well-being.
Highlights of the project include adding air conditioning to every Primary School classroom, replacing the Main Playfield and Running Track Surface, creating a new Middle School Engineering Technology Lab and completely renovating the Middle School Art, Music and World Language spaces. The project also includes a reconfiguration of a position of the Middle School Physical Education areas, featuring updated locker rooms and a new concession stand, vestibule and an adaptive PE space designed for use by students, staff and the community.
Project Structure
The finalized plan is divided into two propositions:
Proposition 1 – All infrastructure improvements and renovations at the Primary School, Middle School, High School, Bus Garage and replacement of the Running Track Surface and Main Playfield with natural grass. Total cost: $31,281,651.
Proposition 2 – Additional funding of $2,018,270 for replacing the Main Playfield with synthetic turf. Proposition 2 can only pass if Proposition 1 passes.
Key Highlights
Primary School
- Air conditioning in every classroom
- Kitchen renovation
- Playground improvements
Middle School
- New Engineering Technology Lab with spaces for wood and metal fabrication, computer-assisted design, new 3D printers, CNC engravers and expanded storage
Renovated Music, Art, and World Language classrooms - Overhaul of Main Office and Counseling/Psychology spaces
- Renovated locker rooms and new PE multipurpose room accessible to both students and community programs
The Middle School Main Offices and Counseling Spaces currently face challenges such as overcrowding, limited space, inadequate soundproofing and a lack of natural light. The planned improvements will create offices and spaces that are appropriately sized, better equipped and more conducive to supporting students and staff.
High School
- Kitchen renovation
- Replacement of windows (100/200 wings) and doors (200 wing)
- Replacement of the Main Playfield and running track surface
Bus Garage
- Replacement of metal siding, windows, exterior doors and bus lifts
- Bathroom renovation
A key central priority of this project is supporting student well-being through upgrades in Physical Education and Athletics. Among these enhancements is the replacement of the Main Playfield, which has reached the end of its lifespan. The field serves not only as an athletic facility but also as the site of milestone ceremonies such as High School Graduation and Middle School Moving Up, as well as community events.
The replacement options are natural grass or synthetic turf. Proposition 1 includes the cost for replacing the field with natural grass and Proposition 2 provides the additional funding for synthetic turf.
Natural Grass vs Turf Comparison
- Estimated Installation Costs – $927,000 for natural grass; $2.98 million for synthetic turf
- Annual Maintenance Costs – $55,000 for grass; $2,700 for turf
- Play Time Hours Per Week – 10 hours for grass; 40 hours for turf
Over a 15-year period, synthetic turf is more cost-effective than natural grass at Ichabod Crane. When factoring in New York State Building Aid at 73.5% for installation and ongoing annual maintenance, which is roughly 20 times higher for natural grass, synthetic turf proves to be the more economical option.
A synthetic turf field would also allow the district to double the amount of time the field can be used, expanding opportunities for Physical Education classes and increasing access for community groups and local youth organizations. While natural grass fields are recommended for about 10 hours of use per week, the district’s current Main Playfield is used for roughly 20 hours weekly. With synthetic turf, that usage could increase to approximately 40 hours per week.
The district has created a video about natural grass and synthetic turf. You can view it here: https://vimeo.com/1115491114
Financing and Tax Impact
The district has worked closely with financial advisors at BPD, Inc. to create a plan that maximizes New York State Building Aid (73.5%), aligns with retiring debt and strategically uses existing capital reserves. This approach is designed to minimize local tax impact while addressing urgent facility needs. For every dollar spent on eligible improvements, approximately 73 cents will be returned to the district as state revenue.
Estimated Tax Impact 2028-2036 (home full value at $300,000):
- Proposition 1: Additional $30-$42/year ($2.50-$3.50/month)
- Proposition 2: Additional $6-$8/year ($0.50-$0.67/month)
- Combined Total: Additional $36-50/year ($3.00-$4.17/month)
Community Engagement
Engagement from district representatives played a key role throughout this process. Beginning in fall 2024, district leaders reached out to families, faculty, staff, students and community members to help shape the scope of the project. This included surveys completed by more than 110 community members, meetings with over 30 faculty and staff members from across the district and feedback from students across K-12.
Members of the Ichabod Crane community were invited to a series of Community Forums to learn more about the project and ask questions. The first forum took place on September 24 at 6 p.m. in the Middle School Cafeteria, with additional sessions scheduled throughout October and a final forum on December 3. The district also hosted a Special Campus Tour, giving residents the chance to see firsthand the areas planned for major improvements.
“People may be asking, ‘Why now?’” Board of Education President Matthew Nelson said. “The answer is our facilities are aging and this project is carefully planned to meet urgent needs, move Ichabod forward and minimize the tax impact on residents. We’ve considered many factors, like retiring debt and available reserves, because timing truly is everything.”
For more information and for the complete forum schedule, please visit: https://www.ichabodcrane.org/district/capital-projects/