At its Aug. 27 meeting, the Stillwater Central School District Board of Education approved the One Stillwater capital project referendum. If approved by voters, this $26 million improvement plan will begin the multi-year process to revitalize district facilities, creating modern spaces that serve as the foundation for student success and strengthen community connections. The proposed project aligns with the district’s mission and vision to provide students with enriching opportunities that foster success through continuous improvement and community involvement. The referendum will go before Stillwater voters for approval on Friday, Oct. 17.
Scope of Work
Like a home, school facilities need regular upkeep and maintenance to function properly. Over time, daily wear and tear can create expenses that exceed the district’s annual operating budget. Capital improvement projects provide school districts access to state aid and allow large-scale facility upgrades to be made that otherwise wouldn’t be possible within the limits of the yearly budget.
The scope of the proposed capital project was shaped through the work of the Facilities Committee in collaboration with the SCSD Board of Education and district leadership. Input from staff, stakeholders and the Building Condition Survey (BCS) conducted every five years as required by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), helped identify critical improvements needed across the Stillwater campus. The resulting recommendations formed the basis of the proposal, which focuses on essential facility upgrades to support students while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Encompassing work at all three SCSD buildings, the project will modernize learning spaces by replacing aging infrastructure such as select classroom windows, damaged skylights and deteriorated tile flooring, as well as renovating science, technology and computer rooms at Stillwater Middle-High School. It also includes relocating the baseball field to campus and reconstructing the soccer and softball fields, creating a central location for athletic events that bring the Stillwater community together. In addition, essential safety upgrades will be made, including reconstruction of the bus loop, entry sidewalks and foundation plantings at Stillwater Elementary, along with roof renovations at Stillwater Middle-High School.
Financial Impact
The One Stillwater Capital Project totals $26,000,000, with 84% of the work eligible for New York State building aid. The estimated tax impact on the community is 1.73%. For a property with a full market value of $250,000, residents would see an average tax increase of $40.34 annually.