The public vote on Pine Bush School District’s Facilities Modernization Program (FMP), a $76 million overhaul of the district’s facilities, will take place on Dec. 6.

The FMP has two main components: overdue concerns and new investments. Overdue concerns comprise about 76 percent of the project, while new investments comprise the other 24 percent.

Overdue concerns include repairing, replacing and updating roofs, boilers, windows, air handling units, electrical components and paving. It also includes coming into compliance with standards for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

New investments include new Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) labs; two synthetic turf fields, a stadium and an eight-lane track at the high school; and a new grass field and track at Circleville Middle School. The plan also includes secure vestibules at all seven schools. Secure vestibules have two doors instead of one, making it more difficult for an intruder to break in.

“It really is bringing our facilities into the norm for contemporary use and making sure that our kids have a safe, comfortable place to learn and grow,” Pine Bush Superintendent Tim Mains said.

Mains said the district plans to do the work in three phases; phase one would start in the summer of 2020, phase two in 2021 and phase three in 2022.

The plan will include improvements at all seven schools. The total project will cost around $76.7 million, which will come to approximately $20.7 million in the local share.

While the exact local share of the project is still uncertain, the district predicts the local share per year to be between $1.6 million and $2.3 million. To put that in perspective, the 2018-19 budget totaled approximately $116 million.

Taxes on a $3,000 annual tax bill would increase by between $70 and $119 per year, and taxes on a $10,000 annual bill would increase by between $232 and $395 per year.

While several members of the community attended the public hearing for the MFP on Nov. 13, few spoke or asked questions. Former Superintendent William Bassett voiced his support for the district’s continuing effort to provide an excellent education for its students, making Pine Bush a desirable place to live.

“I encourage the public to support this vote,” Bassett said. “I think it’s one that’s been long coming and I would like to remind everyone that this is the biggest investment in our whole area and it has such a big impact on our own home values, very selfishly, that we maintain a good strong, positive school district to attract future families.”

No one spoke in opposition to the project at the public hearing.

Mains has been presenting the project to many community organizations and parents’ groups. He said the reaction to the MFP has been mostly positive, with many people supporting it.

“People are paying attention,” Mains said. “People want what’s best for the schools.”

However, some residents do oppose an increase in taxes.

“There are some people who will say, I think it’s important, but I live on a fixed income and I’m concerned about the tax implication,” Mains said.

Residents of Gardiner and Shawangunk will vote at the Walker Valley Fire House, Crawford and Montgomery residents will vote at the high school, Mount Hope and Wallkill residents will vote at Circleville Elementary School and Mamakating residents will vote at Bloomingburg town park. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Questions or concerns may be directed to the district at 845-744-4023 or communications@pinebushschools.org.