Wappingers Central School District

These improvements will help us respond to the changing needs of our families. To put it simply, we need more space to provide vital services. This isn't based on future projections; these are real-time needs in our buildings, today.

Currently we have to offer "Art on a Cart" in some classes; essential AIS (Academic Intervention Services) in hallways; and have Special Education students change schools to go where a program is offered, to name just a few challenges. 

How will we find space? We'll add on to our junior high schools and move 6th grade there. This allows more room at the elementary level, so we can increase services and allow our 6th graders to have a true middle-school experience: more electives, tech classes, and high-school courses. 

This project  includes so much more: essential improvements to our secondary-school athletic facilities, and many other structural upgrades and repairs district-wide.

• Add 37 total middle-school classrooms: Offer more exploratory classes and electives to 6th graders

• Free up 33 total elementary-school classrooms for services like AIS, as well as art classes, band lessons, and more

• Allow Special Education students to stay in their home school, by opening up more classes in our buildings

• Reduce the need to send students out of district for programs

• Offer support for our English Language Learners

• Upgrade athletic facilities at secondary schools: new turf fields and more access for community teams

• Building improvements district-wide: repairs and upgrades

*May include hazardous materials testing, geotechnical testing, site surveys, storm water pollution protection design, special inspections testing, construction insurance, furniture & equipment, design fees, legal fees, construction management, etc.

Estimated timeline for when costs will impact your tax bill:

School Year 2024-2025 |  2025-26
No Impact on Taxpayer

School Years 2026-27 | 2027-2028 | 2028-29 | 2029-30
We begin work, using short-term, interest-only loans to pay contractors along the way.

• The District only pays interest on this type of loan, and it’s included in the annual school budget until the project is complete.

School Year 2030-31
We anticipate completing the project, and consolidating all debt into a long-term loan.

• Once the project is complete and permanent financing is in place, a homeowner with an assessed value of $400,000 would pay approximately $25 a month.

• We are also anticipating about $67,300,000 in State Aid. 

This multi-year, long term project will be done in phases, so it will be a few years: we're estimating it will take place in the 2030-31 school year. Work on the additions will begin in the summer of 2027.