DELMAR, NY (WRGB)- Voters in the Bethlehem Central School District are heading to the polls to decide on a significant $60 million capital investment aimed at improving classrooms and infrastructure.
The proposal includes renovating outdated elementary classrooms, adding air conditioning to designated “hot spots,” and repairing infrastructure across the district’s seven schools.
The district assures that the project will have no additional tax impact, as New York State reimburses about 71.8% of eligible costs, and $16.6 million will come from the 2022 capital reserve fund.
At the elementary schools, a total of 45 outdated classrooms would get new floors, ceilings, lighting, casework, and finishes.
Both the middle school and high school art classrooms would be renovated.
Under the proposal, air conditioning would be added to classrooms at three schools where temperatures reach the highest points in the district. The rest of the schools would see this added to some communal zones, such as libraries, gyms, and cafeterias.
The largest share of funding would go toward infrastructure repairs, such as roof replacements and plumbing, along with upgraded fire and emergency alarm systems in all schools.
Another vote was conducted recently, in a 5-1 vote, the Bethlehem school board voted to relocate students to different schools in the district.
Several parents have spoken out against these plans.
More information on the elementary schools’ attendance zone updates can be found here.
The vote on the capital project will be held on Tuesday from 7AM to 9PM at the high school, located in Gym A. People must be 18 years of age and living in the district for at least 30 days prior to voting.
If approved, project designs will be finalized by August, with construction slated to begin in April 2027.