FALLSBURG – The Fallsburg Central School District is proposing a $56.55 million capital project aimed at addressing long-standing building issues, improving safety, and bringing district facilities up to current state standards — all without raising local school taxes.

Voters will decide on two propositions on February 3, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Board of Education meeting room at the junior-senior high school.

Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz said the proposal is the result of years of planning and was prompted in part by the district’s most recent Building Conditions Survey, completed in 2023, as required by New York State Education Law.

“Every school district is required to conduct these surveys every five years,” Katz said. “They help identify what needs to be addressed from a facilities standpoint, and for us, that survey was really the starting point for this project.”

While the survey identified a range of needs, Katz said some of the district’s most pressing concerns went beyond what was captured on paper—particularly, deteriorating parking lots and the need to prepare school buildings for hotter weather.

Heat, Parking and Safety 

Two major factors pushed the district to act now: severe wear and tear on parking lots at both school buildings and the state’s new law addressing extreme heat in schools.

“Our parking lots have gone through years of heavy use,” Katz said. “They’re full of cracks and potholes that we repair every year, but those repairs just don’t last. At some point, replacement becomes the safer and more responsible option.”

The proposed project would replace and widen parking lots at both the junior-senior high school and Benjamin Cosor Elementary School, improving traffic flow for parents, buses, and emergency vehicles. The work would also add much-needed parking spaces during school events.

At the same time, the district is proposing districtwide HVAC upgrades, including the addition of air-conditioning in all buildings. Katz said this is critical as schools face hotter months and new state requirements related to classroom temperatures.

“The addition of air-conditioning will allow school to remain in session even on the hottest days,” he said. “And addressing our heating issues will allow us to heat rooms more evenly during the winter months.”

Smaller Projects

In addition to major HVAC and parking work, the proposal includes several smaller upgrades that Katz said would directly affect daily operations and student safety.

Those include replacing aging fuel tanks that are nearing the end of their useful life, adding a covered walkway near the elementary school’s modular classrooms to protect students from weather, and installing card-swipe access on classroom doors.

“Keys are often lost, and that can compromise safety,” Katz said. “Card-swipe access eliminates that issue and makes our buildings more secure overall.”

The project would also include masonry repairs, trash compactors, and updates to school libraries and learning spaces.

Funding

Despite its $56.55 million price tag, Katz said the project is structured so that it would not result in a local school tax increase—now or in future budgets.

The cost would be covered through three main sources:

• $40.5 million in New York State building aid

• $10.85 million from the district’s capital reserve fund

• $5.2 million in retired debt from previous projects

“We’re paying off old debt, and those payments can now be used toward new debt,” Katz said. “We’ve also saved about $15 million in capital reserves over the years because we knew a major project like this was coming.”

The district qualifies for approximately 72 percent state building aid, meaning the state would reimburse about 72 cents for every dollar spent on eligible costs.

Katz emphasized that capital projects are separate from the district’s annual operating budget and said past performance shows the district’s commitment to keeping school taxes low.

“Our previous capital projects had no tax impact, and our school budgets have consistently been among the lowest in the region,” he said. “That track record is the best assurance we can offer.”

Second Proposition 

Voters will also be asked to consider a second proposition to purchase a neighboring property near Benjamin Cosor Elementary School.

Katz said the purchase would allow the district to widen the school’s only entrance and exit, which currently measures about 40 feet.

“Having more space is especially important for emergency vehicles,” he said. “This would be a significant safety improvement.”

The property purchase would also be paid for using remaining capital reserve funds and, like the main project, would result in no increase to school taxes, according to the district.

Next Steps

The district has already held a public forum on the proposal and released informational videos that Katz said have reached tens of thousands of viewers. He said residents are encouraged to reach out directly with questions.

“I’ve tried to make myself as available as possible,” Katz said. “Anyone who has concerns or needs clarification is welcome to contact me.”

If approved, construction would begin in the summer of 2027 and take place over at least two summers, with most of the early work happening inside school buildings. Parking lot work would likely be the most visible change.

“This proposal is about addressing real needs—safety, comfort, and the long-term condition of our schools,” Katz said. “And we’re doing it in a way that respects our taxpayers.”

This article first appeared in the Fallsburg School Scene on Jan. 23.