C-A schools $20.9M capital project turned down, Rensselaer schools $28.8M project approved

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Two school districts held capital project votes Tuesday night hoping to improve their districts. Voters in the Coxsackie-Athens School District voted against the project while voters in Rensselaer voted in favor of it.

Greene County

For the second time, voters in Coxsackie-Athens have turned down a proposed capital project. According to the district, the $20.9 million project was designed to improve classrooms and infrastructure at all district campuses.

Improvements included:

• Updating finishes, cabinets, lighting, flooring, electric and furniture in elementary classrooms for enhanced collaboration and learning activities
• Upgrading both kitchen spaces at Coxsackie Elementary and Edward J. Arthur Elementary with modern equipment to improve meal service
• Revitalizing the high school’s 1970s-era science classrooms with new cabinets, electric, furniture, and modernized features to support today’s science curriculum
• Reconstruction of the west side middle school parking lot and access drive
• Replacement of domestic water piping across district buildings
• Replacement of portions of the middle school roof
• Construction of public restrooms at the 5-bay garage area
• Pavement, sidewalk, and playground improvements
• Improvements to the existing natural grass playfields by improving drainage and fencing for safety.

However, the project was voted against by a 51 percent difference. According to the district, the vote was 291 votes for the improvements to 305 against it.

"Thank you to our community members who exercised their right to vote," Superintendent Randy Squier said. "We know the work that was proposed in the referendum is greatly needed in order to enhance the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and school community. We will reevaluate how to best finance the required improvements to our campuses."

Rensselaer County

In Rensselaer, district voters were in favor of the $28.8 million capital project. According to the district, the final vote was 94 votes for the project and 36 votes against the project.

Improvements included:

• Address significant damage to the exterior walls and roof due to water infiltration
• Fix significant sidewalk issues
• Address interior wall damage
• Preventative measures so further damage doesn't happen

The Rensselaer City School's Board of Education will meet on Wednesday at 6 p.m. to accept the official results. Coxsackie-Athens school district said its Board of Education will meet on December 19 at 6:30 p.m. to review the results and determine the next steps.