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On Thursday, Dec. 11, voters will be asked to determine whether to pass an $18.11 million bond that would be used to fund several capital projects while it is a fiscally responsible time to borrow money.
Since the summer, board members have been discussing the proposed capital projects that will make necessary improvements at all schools throughout the district, including a complete technological overhaul.
The board has been trimming the budget for the projects, which began at approximately $20 million before it was trimmed to $17 million. Due to favorable interest rates, the board determined that it would be prudent for the district to widen the scope of the projects and borrow big now.
As part of the renovations of a possible Learning Commons, 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 alike.
At Edgewood Elementary School, the library would be expanded and relocated farther away from the main entrance. This was originally two separate projects, but it was determined that combining them would be most cost-efficient for the district.
Other improvements include new multipurpose and group instruction spaces at Heathcote Elementary and a new roof at Quaker Ridge.
Outside of the capital projects that will be funded through the proposed bond, the Scarsdale Education Foundation has also pledged funding for a pair of additional projects: a Designer Maker Lab and new fitness center dedicated to former student Tyler Madoff, whose parents donated $300,000 to the cause
The Designer-Maker lab, which would be outfitted in the old auto shop, would center on “STEAM” subjects: science, technology, engineering, arts and math, in coordination with the technology initiative.
The vote on the proposed bond for the Scarsdale School District will be 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Scarsdale Middle School.
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