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In total, the district proposed approximately $20 million in projects that would make necessary improvements to the district’s infrastructure and enhance student performance.
One of the projects that has received strong support from board membes is the new high school fitness center and designer-maker lab.
As part of the renovations of a possible Learning Commons – which also garnered board support, but requires some further logistical research – the district is prepared to renovate half of gyms A and B to construct a new, 6,200-square-foot fitness center that will benefit both students and student-athletes.
According to the Board of Education, the Scarsdale Education Foundation has offered to help fund the fitness center, and the family of Tyler Madoff has pledged a $300,000 donation that will cover the costs of equipment.
The Designer-Maker lab, which would be outfitted in the old auto shop, would center on “STEAM” subjects: science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Trustees have expressed concern that the lab may not justify it’s approximate $2.5 million cost, but several high school officials, including Principal Ken Bonamo, have reassured the board that the curriculum was already being developed.
At Edgewood Elementary, the board expressed complete support for an expansion of the library and relocation of the office further away from the main entrance. This was originally separate projects, but it was determined to be more cost efficient to combine the two. They are awaiting cost estimates from district firm KG&D as well as an independent construction management firm.
Other projects the board plans to discuss further include a new multipurpose room at Heathcote Elementary and an orchestra room at the middle school. Trustees expressed support for both projects, but hope to keep the discussion open moving forward.
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