Capital Projects

Building on Progress, Investing in the Future

We are happy to announce that Proposition 1 of the Capital Project passed with a vote of 611 to 389 on Tuesday, December 16. 

Proposition 1, totaling $31,281,651, includes all the updates at the Primary, Middle and High Schools and Bus Garage and the replacement of the Running Track and Main Playfield with natural grass.

With the passage of Proposition 1, we will be able to address aging infrastructure, continue to support future-ready teaching and learning and create new spaces that promote student well-being. 

Proposition 2 did not pass, which would have funded using artificial turf to replace the Main Playfield, with a vote of 325 to 664.

For this project, Ichabod Crane is eligible for 73.5% reimbursement on all eligible expenses, helping to reduce the local cost while addressing facility needs. This means that for every dollar spent, we will receive 73.5 cents back from New York State.

“The Capital Project Referendum December 2025 represents the next step in Ichabod Crane’s mission to provide innovative, future-ready learning environments,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. 

“We are grateful to the Ichabod Crane school community for their strong show of support for this investment in our facilities, our academic program vision, and most especially, our students,” said Board of Education President Matthew Nelson. “With today’s successful vote, we advance our mission and goals and the next chapter of Ichabod’s future begins. We look forward to the promise that this project offers our entire community.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Primary School

  • Air conditioning in every classroom
  • Playground improvements including shaded areas and new equipment

Middle School

  • New Engineering Technology Lab with dedicated spaces for wood and metal fabrication and 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
  • New direct access to the exterior of the gymnasium, a large lobby and vestibule (creating a space to celebrate Rider Pride and more), concession stand and increased athletic and PE storage

High School

  • Kitchen renovation
  • Replacement of windows (100/200 wings) and doors (200 wing)

Bus Garage

  • Replacement of metal siding, windows, exterior doors and bus lifts
  • Bathroom renovation

The Running Track and Main Playfield, the district’s Community Hub, will also be replaced. The field, which will be replaced with natural grass, 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 track serves as a practice area for our athletic teams, an instructional space for physical education and other classes and a hub regularly used by outside athletic clubs and local residents for exercise. 

Going forward, the district will begin detailed design development in 2026, followed by permitting and bidding. Construction would tentatively begin in July 2027 with project closeout projected in 2029.

Beginning in 2028, taxes on a home valued at $300,000 are estimated to increase an additional $30-$42/year ($2.50-$3.50/month) until 2036.

Background and Overview

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.

During Fall 2024, district leadership gathered feedback from students, staff, families, Board of Education members and community members through surveys, meetings and forums. This input helped shape the initial project scope, which was refined over several months. In October, the Board of Education unanimously approved the final proposal placing two propositions on the Dec. 16 ballot. 

Resources and Publications: