Capital Project 2026
Capital Project Updates
From blueprint to reality: follow our journey as we build safer, modern, and inspiring spaces for every student.
In the May 19, 2026 Cornwall Central School District vote, voters approved the annual school budget along with two of the three capital improvement project propositions. The district’s two approved capital project propositions have been divided into five distinct implementation phases.
Voting Outcome Summary
- Proposition 1 — District Budget (2026–2027): PASSED
Result: Approved (1,254 Yes to 590 No).
Scope: Approved the district's annual operating budget for the upcoming school year.
- Proposition 2 — $44.5 Million Capital Improvement Project (Tax Neutral): PASSED
Result: Approved (1,187 Yes to 635 No). (Note: On the ballot, this was designated as Proposition 2 / Capital Prop #1)
Scope: Districtwide facility upgrades, roofing and floor replacements, safety/security enhancements, cafeteria/kitchen additions, and parent pick-up/drop-off area reconfigurations with no additional tax rate increase.
- Proposition 3 — $21.1 Million Capital Improvement Project (Classroom Additions): PASSED
Result: Approved (1,039 Yes to 773 No). (Note: On the ballot, this was designated as Proposition 3 / Capital Prop #2)
Scope: Construction of classroom additions at Cornwall Central Middle School, Cornwall Elementary School, and Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School to address space constraints.
- Proposition 4 — $14.6 Million Capital Improvement Project (Athletic Facilities): FAILED
Result: Defeated (790 Yes to 1,010 No). (Note: On the ballot, this was designated as Proposition 4 / Capital Prop #3)
Scope: Proposed relocation and construction of synthetic turf baseball, softball, and multipurpose athletic fields at Cornwall Central High School, along with site drainage improvements.
Where We're At
As of November 2026
Since the referendum vote, the District has been working closely with our architects and engineers and our construction managers to effectuate the plans presented to the community prior to the May vote. Over the course of the last several months, regular meetings have taken place both internally and alongside our district Facilities Committee. The result is a capital improvement project plan that is broken down into five (5) phases with completion dates in the Fall of 2030.
Currently, we are pleased to share with you the breakdown of all five phases and the associated timelines with each phase. We plan to have monthly progress updates so that our community is more informed on the project status.
Capital Project Work Slideshow
Capital Project Phase Breakdown
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Phase 1 – CCHS Bathroom/Concession Stand & Buildings & Grounds Garage
- Design: July 2026 – December 2026
- Agency Review & Approval: January 2027 – March 2027
- Bidding: April 2027 – June 2027
- Award, Construction & Closeout: July 2027 – August 2028
Phase 2 – Emergency Systems (All Buildings)
- Design: August 2026 – March 2027
- Agency Review & Approval: April 2027 – June 2027
- Bidding: July 2027 – August 2027
- Award, Construction & Closeout: September 2027 – August 2028
Phase 3 – Cornwall Central Middle School
- Design: January 2027 – November 2027
- Agency Review & Approval: December 2027 – March 2028
- Bidding: April 2028 – May 2028
- Award, Construction & Closeout: June 2028 – September 2030
Phase 4 – Elementary School Additions & Alterations
- Design: November 2026 – October 2027
- Agency Review & Approval: November 2027 – February 2028
- Bidding: March 2028 – April 2028
- Award, Construction & Closeout: May 2028 – September 2030
Phase 5 – District Office & High School Alterations
- Design: November 2027 – July 2028
- Agency Review & Approval: August 2028 – October 2028
- Bidding: November 2028 – December 2028
- Award, Construction & Closeout: January 2029 – September 2030
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When available, updates and documents related to this Phase will be posted here.
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When available, updates and documents related to this Phase will be posted here.
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When available, updates and documents related to this Phase will be posted here.
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When available, updates and documents related to this Phase will be posted here.
Capital Project Vote
May 2026 Proposed Capital Improvement Projects
In May 2022, District voters approved multiple crucial propositions establishing the District’s trajectory toward continuous improvement of our school buildings and facilities.
Included were two propositions for capital projects totaling just over $23 million. This work was divided into three phases and included improvements to all school buildings. With the exception of the window replacement project at Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School which will be finished in the Summer of 2026, all work associated with these projects has been completed.
Although this capital project was the biggest investment our community has made in our facilities in a generation, there is more work to be done. There were many projects identified during the planning process in 2022 that didn’t quite make the cut – in the ensuing four years these issues have become more immediate needs. The District’s administration and the school board meet regularly, constantly planning and looking for ways to tackle these additional improvements.
Along with the propositions establishing the last capital project, in May 2022 the community approved the establishment of a $5 million Capital Reserve Fund to be used for necessary future repairs. Every dollar in this Fund is matched by roughly three dollars in state aid, making it a powerful financial tool. As of June 30, 2025 this Capital Reserve Fund is fully funded with the approved $5 million which allows the district to tackle a new $20 million capital project – again, without raising local school taxes.
Similarly, in May 2025, the community approved the establishment of another $5 million Capital Reserve Fund. This Fund will be utilized in the same manner; towards future repairs and matched by a roughly three to one ratio for state aid. As of June 30, 2025 this Fund holds just over $2.5 million.
For the last 18 months, the District’s Facilities Committee has been hard at work considering which necessary infrastructure improvements should be included in newly proposed projects. Utilizing the needs assessments from the 2022 capital project as well as the 2025 Building Conditions Survey, a formal architectural and engineering evaluation process submitted to New York State, the District has identified a wide range of needs to tackle.
Based on their findings, the District Facilities Committee has made a recommendation to the full Board of Education to move forward with a new capital project to be voted on in May 2026. The Board of Education agrees with this recommendation and is proposing the capital projects to the community to be voted on as three separate propositions. Information about each of the propositions is detailed below. Based on the financial position of the district, inclusive of our capital reserve funds and debt that is set to expire in 2030 when bond payments would be issued, each proposition has varying levels of tax impact on our community.
Capital Project Proposition Graphic Summaries
2026 Cornwall Capital Project Overview Video
2026 Cornwall Capital Project Proposition #1 Video
Proposition #1: $44,582,337
Various improvements & additions Districtwide | Tax Neutral Status – No additional tax responsibility
CCHS = $7,832,538
Bathroom/concession stand at athletic complex; front entrance pavers; roofing replacement; floor replacements; door safety enhancements; replace fire alarm and PA system
CCMS = $22,909,237
New parent pick-up/drop-off area; cafeteria/kitchen addition; renovation of former cafeteria/kitchen to classroom space; paving and sidewalk improvements; replace fire alarm and PA system
CES = $4,775,332
Classroom renovations and conversions; door safety enhancements; additional fencing; replace fire alarm and PA system
WAES = $4,865,541
Additional parking and paving improvements; additional fencing; roofing replacement; gym floor replacement; auditorium air conditioning; replace PA system
COH = $1,853,131
Reconstruct front entrance at auditorium; auditorium air conditioning; bathroom upgrades; replace PA system
B&G = $1,564,572
Construct addition of new 4 bay garage/storage facility
DO = $781,987
Full window replacement; install ADA access to front of building; replace retaining wall and adjacent masonry stairs; bathroom upgrades; install fire alarm system
2026 Cornwall Capital Project Proposition #2 Video
Proposition #2: $21,154,103
Classroom additions at three buildings (CCMS, CES, COH) Proposition #1 must pass in order for Proposition #2 to pass – Partial effective tax rate impact.
CCMS = $7,328,689
Construct additional classroom space to connect B & C wings; add bathroom facilities in new addition; improve flow of the building
CES = $11,761,871
Construct addition of “4 on-top-of-4” classrooms to relieve space issues
COH = $2,063,543
Construct addition on cafeteria to create a more formal kitchen space and add cafeteria space; renovate former kitchen space into classroom space
2026 Cornwall Capital Project Proposition #3 Video
Proposition #3: $14,605,724
Athletic Fields at CCHS | Proposition #1 & #2 must pass in order for Proposition #3 to pass – Full effective tax rate impact
CCHS = $14,605,724
Relocate baseball and softball fields and include synthetic turf; include multisport field; address drainage issues
BOE Proposed Capital Project - Video 5/11/26
BOE Proposed Capital Project - Video 3/18/26
BOE Proposed Capital Project - Video 2/02/26
Contact Us
Questions about the Capital Project?