Joseph Lenz, assistant superintendent of the Pine Bush Central School District, appeared at the Town of Crawford’s February 13 meeting with an important presentation: the district’s 2025 Capital Improvement Project, an initiative that could bring much-needed improvements to its seven schools in Pine Bush and Circleville if residents approve one or both of the plan’s propositions.

The PBCSD, after submitting its Building Condition Survey to the New York State Education Department, estimated that the entire school district needs $121,789,091 in construction work. Since completing the BCS, the district established the Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan and formed the Facilities Committee to determine the necessary short and long-term infrastructure repairs for its schools.

These efforts led to the creation of two propositions that residents can vote on in the next week-and-a-half. Proposition 1 would address the district’s immediate needs, including heating and cooling improvements, roof restorations, fire alarm upgrades, a new athletic complex in Circleville, and replacements to doors, windows, ceilings, and elevators. This proposition would cost $52,260,000, with no increase to residents’ taxes.

Proposition 2 addresses long-term improvements that the district could save for the future but would rather get done sooner. As Lenz stated, the district has been “kicking the can” with these improvements, and prolonging them further would increase their construction costs in the future. The proposition includes new air conditioning for the school’s gyms and cafeterias, new paint jobs and blacktopping, and resurfacing and replacements to gym flooring. The Pine Bush High School would also receive enhancements to its Thomas F. Lonergan Field, updates to its art and science rooms, and renovations to its auditorium.

In order for the district to move forward with Proposition 2, residents must approve Proposition 1 first. Taking Proposition 2’s $27,035,000 into account, both propositions would cost a combined $79,295,000. Additionally, Proposition 2 would require a tax levy increase between the years 2027 and 2038; the increase would vary depending on a given’s household’s value and residence type. A primary residence valued at $500,000, for example, would pay an additional $7.42 per month, or $89 per year.

Lenz noted that, given the size of this capital improvement project, the district’s future CIPs will be much smaller in scope, each likely costing around $20,000,000.

Following Thursday’s meeting, the PBCSD will host a community forum on Monday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Circleville Middle School, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the proposed CIP. The district will then hold the vote on March 4 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. at Pine Bush High School and Circleville Elementary School. At the end of his presentation, Lenz encouraged all residents to become familiar with both propositions and vote for their preferred choice this March.

For more information on the CIP, email communications@pinebushschools.org or visit pinebushschools.org/about-us/pine-bush-capital-project-february-2025.