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Wappingers Central School District

25 Corporate Park Drive / P.O. Box 396 / Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 / PH: 845.298.5000

Capital Improvement Project

Building Projects: Keeping our Community Informed

capital improvements

We’re so grateful to  community for their support of our 2025 Capital Improvement Proposition, and excited to share that Phase 1 construction will begin this summer!

This will include renovations to Large Group Instruction Rooms, renovations of John Jay HS athletic fields, and much more. 

$153,768,000 Capital Improvement Proposition: Approved by Voters May 2025

Taking place over several years, the project includes additions to our junior high schools, which will create more opportunities for grades 6-8, and more room in our elementary buildings. It also includes essential improvements to our athletic facilities, and many other structural upgrades and repairs district-wide.

 

A timeline graphic outlines a multi-year project with phases labeled Summer 2026 through Summer 2029.

 

This timeline represents our current goals and proposed schedule. As with any large-scale, multi-year project, dates are subject to change based on approvals, construction progress, and other factors. We'll be sure to keep the community updated along the way!

 

Project Updates

May 2026

A group of people pose for a photo in a conference room.Project Labor Agreement Approved by Board of Education, May 15, 2026: This agreement to use local labor will not only expedite the process and minimize disruption; it will also promote work opportunities for those within the District and surrounding areas, and establish pathways for apprenticeship programs for our students. "This will be a transformational project for the school district, and I thank our Board and labor organizations for their work in moving this forward," said Dr. Bonk. Read the full release here.

Phase 1: Summer 2026
Construction is expected to begin this summer; this includes upgrades to John Jay HS athletic fields and renovations to Large Group Instruction Rooms, among other projects.

Phase 2: Summer 2027
Schematic design is in progress on tech room upgrades and additions to both middle schools: our architects are working with staff to define scope and requirements

April 2026

Image with the text 'Project Updates' and a construction-themed background.Phase 1: Summer 2026

  • Projects have been approved by the State Education Department (SED); awaiting final SED Fiscal Advisor approval

Phase 2: Summer 2027

  • Technology Room upgrades, building additions to middle schools
  • Schematic Design in progress: Meetings being held with staff to get feedback and review scope

 

December 2025/Jan 2026

January 12, 2026: The District selected  CHA Consulting, Inc. to serve as Construction Manager on the capital project. View the agenda item from the January 12 BOE meeting here.

December 18, 2025: The NY State Education Department has begun their preliminary review of the plans for the Wappingers JHS addition.  We are working closely with NYSED to finalize our plans and secure the required approvals.

 

Image with the text 'Your Questions, Answered' and an email address.

  • Here’s a breakdown of the cost...

    Construction  $126,032,400
    Incidental Costs*  $27,735,600
    Total $153,768,000

    *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.

    ...and an estimated timeline for when it will impact taxpayers:

    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. 

    • 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

  • 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.

  • Yes! Click here to view the site we shared with voters.

Site Improvements

    • New artificial turf soccer/softball field, portable bleachers, lights
    • Press box/concession stand renovations
    • Additional parking below baseball field
    • Reconstruction of walkway from feature field
    • Potential additional road to Patriot Way

    • New artificial turf soccer/softball field with portable bleachers and lights
    • Eight new tennis courts
    • New fencing at softball field

  • Architectural floor plans of a building, with a corresponding aerial view.

     

    Addition of 23, 650 sq ft includes:

    • 16 new classrooms
    • Expanded cafeteria

    Other Improvements

    • Reconstruct fields for proper drainage
    • New basketball court
    • Athletic field lighting
    • New press box/concession stand; portable bleachers
    • Walking track
    • Reconstruct back drive loop; improve drop-off parking

  • Architectural floor plans of a building, showing rooms and pathways.

    Addition of 33, 820 sq ft includes:

    • Two dedicated music rooms
    • Cafeteria relocated to the first floor
    • Small-group room
    • Small gym
    • 18 more classrooms

    Other Improvements

    • Add athletic field lighting
    • New press box/concession stand and portable bleachers
    • Replace deteriorated entrance steps

  • Brinckerhoff ES

    • Reconstruct driveway & parking lots
    • Reconstruct sidewalks

    Fishkill ES

    • Reconstruct driveway & parking lots
    • Reconstruct sidewalks
    • Add exterior lighting

    Gayhead ES

    • Upgrade site lighting

    Myers Corners ES

    • Site feasibility study to investigate improved vehicle access to site and additional parking.
    • Digital display sign at site entry

    Sheafe Road ES

    • Reconstruct basketball court
    • Upgrade ramps to comply with ADA

Building Improvements: Secondary Schools

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Replace original electrical panels
    • Upgrade PA system
    • Renovate technology classrooms
    • Renovate large group instruction room
    • Increase electrical service to building
    • Modify toilet rooms for handicap accessibility

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace science wing roof
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Modify toilet rooms for handicap accessibility
    • Replace original electrical panels & upgrade PA
    • Renovate technology classrooms
    • Renovate large group instruction room
    • Handicap ramp at gymnasium entrance

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility
    • Replace original electrical panels
    • Add cooling to auditorium and gymnasium
    • Replace steam piping in tunnels, unit ventilators and add exhaust fans in classrooms
    • Replace asbestos tile at selected classroom floors

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace roof
    • Add cooling to auditorium and gymnasium
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Replace original electrical panels and exist signs
    • Modify health suite and toilet rooms for accessibility
    • Re-finish selected classroom wood floors

Building Improvements: Elementary Schools

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility
    • Replace original electrical panels & upgrade PA

    • Re-point original brick
    • Remove remaining asbestos tile flooring
    • Replace rooftop units
    • Upgrade PA system
    • Install main switchgear
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility

    • Replace selected original electrical panels
    • Renovate four toilet rooms for accessibility

     

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Add exhaust ventilation, replace rooftop units
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Replace old electrical panels
    • Replace fire alarm system
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility
    • Upgrade PA system

    • Replace primary feed
    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace old ceilings
    • Replace roof & skylights
    • Replace air handlers
    • Upgrade cafeteria/gym ventilation
    • Replace fire alarm system
    • Add elevator
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace roof
    • Replace remaining ceilings
    • Replace fire alarm system
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility

    • Replace roof
    • Replace exhaust fans, unit ventilators and rooftop units
    • Replace fire alarm systems
    • Modify toilet rooms for handicap accessibility

    • Re-point original brick
    • Replace corridor ceilings
    • Replace fire alarm system
    • Modify toilet rooms for accessibility
    • Add exhaust fans to classrooms, replace rooftop units

Background Information