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Capital Project 2025
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Capital Project Vote: December 16
The Cooperstown Central School District has a long-standing tradition of providing our students and community with great facilities and grounds. Continuing with that tradition, the Board of Education, along with the Facilities Committee, has worked diligently to put together a comprehensive capital project that addresses three areas of need which will help ensure the longevity of our facilities:
Health and Safety
Instructional Improvements
Infrastructure Maintenance
Why A Capital Project?
Just like a home, school facilities need regular attention and upkeep to continue to operate as originally intended. The cost of keeping up with the daily wear and tear can rise above what the annual school budget can support. Capital improvement projects are a way for school districts to access state aid to complete larger amount of facilities work than possible within the scope of the annual school budget.
This $16,865,300 project has been developed in compliance with the NY Education Department (NYSED) regulations through the recent completion of a building condition survey and five-year plan for capital improvements, which identified the priorities of the proposed Capital Project, as well as other priorities identified by the District.
Health & Safety
Elementary School
• Playground surfacing and select equipment replacement
• Exterior door core replacement for re-keying
• Drinking fountain replacement with water bottle fillers
Junior/Senior High School
• Exterior door core replacement for re-keying
• Drinking fountain replacement with water bottle fillers
• Add door magnetic hold opens at select doors
Infrastructure Maintenance
Elementary School
• Cracked sidewalk replacement at rear of building
• Deteriorated loading dock & concrete pad reconstruction
• Roof coating over 17-year-old roof
• Aged exterior window replacement
• Aged cafeteria ceiling replacement
• Aged stage curtain replacement
Junior/Senior High School
• Parking lot sealing to prolong life
• Damaged stadium fence replacement
• Damaged sanitary pipe reconstruction
• Recaulk failing sidewalk control joints
• Reconstruct portion of aged electric service
• Roof coating over 17-year-old roof
• Exterior deteriorated column replacement
• Wrestling room crack reconstruction
• Wrestling room corridor wall reconstruction
Junior/Senior High School
• Replace damaged surfacing-gym partition
• Aged kitchen equipment replacement
• Aged kitchen hood replacement
• Asbestos floor tile removal
• Worn stage floor refinishing
• Damaged auditorium seat replacement
• Aged cafeteria equipment replacement
• Aged student toilet room reconstruction
• Aged booster heater replacement
• Aged transformer replacement
Transportation Garage
• Storm drain replacement
• Aged bus lift replacement
• Deteriorating roof replacement
Instructional Improvements
Elementary School
• Courtyard renovation/sensory garden
• Deteriorated classroom floor replacement
• Partial classroom cabinetry replacement
• Aged library shelving replacement
Junior/Senior High School
• New athletic field lights
• Deteriorated classroom floor replacement
• Library wall reconstruction-improved acoustics
• Counseling suite renovations
• Math office removal for expanded classroom
• Former science room equipment removal
• Add additional stage lights
Looking to the Future
The proposed 2025 Capital Project represents a forward-looking investment that strengthens both the educational experience and the shared spaces our community relies on. By addressing essential health and safety needs, updating instructional environments, and repairing aging infrastructure, the District is safeguarding facilities that serve Cooperstown students every day while also enhancing the spaces used by families, visitors, and community groups.
Improvements such as modernized classroom fixtures, upgraded counseling areas, renovated libraries, and new athletic field lighting expand opportunities for learning, recreation, and community events.
At the same time, critical maintenance—much of which cannot be completed through the regular school budget—protects our buildings from costly future repairs and preserves state aid that would otherwise be lost.
With no increase to the tax levy, this project allows the District to responsibly care for its facilities, support high-quality education, and ensure that schools remain safe, welcoming, and accessible hubs of community life for years to come.
Identified Areas Of Need
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Junior/Senior High School Bathroom -
Junior-Senior High School Roof Re-coating -
Junior-Senior High School Exterior Column -
Junior-Senior High School Ceiling Water Damage -
Junior-Senior High School Auditorium Flooring Damage -
Junior-Senior High School Auditorium Seating
Capital Project FAQ
Many of the District’s building systems, instructional spaces, and safety features are at or near the end of their useful life. The NYSED Building Condition Survey and the District’s Five-Year Capital Plan identified critical needs that must be addressed to maintain safe, modern learning environments. Completing this work through a Capital Project—rather than the annual budget—allows the District to receive significant state aid and complete necessary improvements without increasing the tax levy.
This project strengthens the learning environment across both campuses by improving classrooms, library spaces, counseling areas, athletic facilities, and essential building systems. Students benefit from safer, healthier, and more engaging spaces, while the community gains enhanced recreational opportunities and better-maintained facilities for gatherings, sports, and performances.
Most items included in the Capital Project are major repairs or replacements that exceed what the annual operating budget can cover. Routine budget funds used on these items are not eligible for state aid, meaning local taxpayers would bear the full cost. A Capital Project allows the District to receive state aid, protect taxpayers, and complete improvements responsibly.
Installing athletic field lighting extends safe usage hours for students and community members, supports more flexible scheduling, and improves visibility and safety for events. It enhances recreational access, reduces conflicts during shorter daylight months, and expands the community’s ability to use outdoor facilities in the evenings.
Most major construction will take place during summer months when students are not on campus. For work that must occur during the school year, the District will coordinate closely with project managers to isolate construction areas, minimize disruptions, and maintain safe, clearly defined pathways throughout the buildings.
The total project cost is $16,865,300, supported by 71.8% state aid on eligible work and $1,995,000 from the Capital Reserve. As a result, this Capital Project will have no additional tax levy increase for district residents.
Community members are encouraged to attend the Public Information Meeting:
Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Junior/Senior High School Auditorium
Referendum Day:
The vote will be held on Tuesday, December 16, in the Auditorium of the Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School at 39 Linden Ave. Polls will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voter Qualifications:
People are entitled to vote if they are: a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age or older on December 16, and a resident within the Cooperstown school district for a period of at least thirty days on December 16. Note: The law allows the District to ask for identification from potential voters.
Absentee Voting:
Voters may request an absentee ballot by making a request, either in writing or in person to: Maria Field, District Clerk, 39 Linden Ave. Completed ballots must be returned to Maria Field by 5:00 p.m. on December 16, 2025.
District Contact Information:
Sarah Spross
Superintendent of Schools
sspross@cooperstowncs.org
Maria Field, District Clerk
39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(P) 607.547.5364 | (F) 607.547.5100