Air conditioning could be coming to BC schools with a proposed capital project

Note: The information below will be updated over the next several months, as the Board of Education discusses a proposed capital project.

Meeting Schedule | Cooling Project | Project Highlights | Scope by Building

The Bethlehem Central School District is preparing a capital project that would support the district’s core values of academics, community, character, and wellness by improving teaching and learning spaces across the district.

The proposed project will be the focus of a presentation at the August 13 Board of Education meeting. District officials will recommend to the Board a project that would include 138 elements across nine buildings in the district, at an estimated cost of $57.4 million. The plan features a cooling project, where air conditioning would be added to known “hot spots” in classroom areas and common spaces at all district schools.

A tentative date for a public referendum on the project is Tuesday, December 2. The Board of Education determines the size and scope of all capital projects before the project can be voted on by the public. The Board also must approve the date for the public referendum.

Several upcoming Board meetings will feature discussions and presentations on the proposed capital project as the project takes shape:

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025 — 7 p.m. at BCHS in Room D-122 — Presentation by BC Facilities Director Nick Insognia [Agenda 8/13/2025]
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 — 7 p.m. at BCHS in Room D-122
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 — 7 p.m. at Eagle Elementary School
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025 — 7 p.m. at Elsmere Elementary School

All Board of Education meetings are livestreamed on the BCSD Events channel on YouTube.

Air conditioning in select areas of all schools

The most anticipated improvements in the proposed plan would be more comfortable learning spaces, with air conditioning being proposed in select areas of each school. Currently, only Eagle Elementary School, which opened in 2008, has air conditioning in all classrooms.

Under the proposal, air conditioning would be added to communal zones such as cafeterias, libraries and gymnasiums that are not air conditioned presently. Air conditioning would also be added to several classrooms at three schools where temperatures reach the highest points in the district. Classrooms in some areas of Elsmere Elementary School, the middle school and the high school often register above 80 degrees during May, June and September. If approved by the Board and by voters, the plan would add air conditioning in the following locations:

BCHS: All second-floor classrooms in D and E wings (38 classrooms), cafeteria and gyms A, B and C.
BCMS: All original building second-floor classrooms (15 classrooms), cafeteria and lower and upper gyms.
Eagle Elementary School: Gym and cafeteria.
Elsmere Elementary School: All second-floor classrooms (5 classrooms), Library Media Center (LMC), gym and cafeteria.
Glenmont Elementary School: Library Media Center (LMC) and cafeteria.
Hamagrael Elementary School: Library Media Center (LMC) and cafeteria.
Slingerlands Elementary School: Library Media Center (LMC) and gym.

The estimated total cost of adding air conditioning in the areas listed above is $8,959,565.

“To honor our district’s mission and core values, we are committed to making our learning spaces as comfortable and productive as possible with more consistent, safe temperatures,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “Comfort is foundational to learning and teaching. We believe providing air-conditioned spaces for students of all ages will strengthen that foundation. Developing a cooling plan is not easy and voters will ultimately make that decision.”

Superintendent Monroe said that in each of the last two years, schools had to close early due to high heat in June. A new state law, which takes effect in 2025-26, requires school districts to have plans for relocating students from rooms where the temperature reaches 88 degrees, where possible, and for mitigating classroom temperatures that reach 82 or higher.

Other proposed project highlights (as of Aug. 13, 2025)

Classroom renovations

Classroom renovations at six of the seven schools would make up the largest part of the proposed capital project. At the elementary schools, outdated classrooms would receive new floors, ceilings, lighting, casework and finishes. At the middle school, the art classrooms would be renovated, and renovations at the high school would include an art classroom, a Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classroom and technology classrooms. The total cost of classroom renovations districtwide is estimated at $15,077,741. These include:

Elsmere Elementary School – 13 classrooms
Glenmont Elementary School – 10 classrooms and a hallway
Slingerlands Elementary School – 6 classrooms
Middle School – Art classrooms
High School – Art classroom, FACS classroom and computer labs.

If the proposed project is approved by voters in December 2025, construction would not begin until spring 2027. The elementary classroom renovations are expected to present logistical challenges due to a compressed schedule and limited swing space at some of the elementary schools.

“We will need creative solutions to minimize the construction impact at the elementary schools,” said Superintendent Monroe. “These discussions will be among the most important as we prepare for a project vote. I encourage residents to attend, or watch, the upcoming Board meetings to stay informed.”

Roof repairs

Sections of worn-out or out-of-warranty roofing would be replaced at every school as part of the proposed project. Roof replacement costs are estimated at $9,922,098 districtwide.

Other building-specific projects

Elsmere Library Media Center (LMC) modernization
Slingerlands Cafeteria and Kitchen renovation
Hamagrael Main Office renovation
BCMS lower-level PE and athletics renovations
BCMS Girls’ Pool Locker Room renovation
BCHS D-Wing bathroom renovations/reconfiguration
BCHS Main Office renovation

Proposed Project Scope by Building (as of Aug. 13, 2025)

The list of project elements is subject to change. All updates will be noted here.

Eagle Elementary School ($3,920,244)

Air Conditioning: Add to gym and cafeteria
Membrane roof replacement
Parking lot improvements
Window screen and balance replacement
Repair/replace damaged windows casings &
casework
Replace stairwell treads

Elsmere Elementary School ($6,691,990)

Air conditioning: Add to all 2nd-floor classrooms, gym, LMC and cafeteria
Library Media Center (LMC) renovation
Classroom renovations (13 rooms)
Fire alarm upgrades
ADA ramp handrail replacement
Bathroom renovations/upgrades
Add fence and gate to play area
New exit stairs to play area from cafeteria
Boiler plant replacement
Door replacements – cafeteria and gym
Loading dock door replacement
Storage door & frame replacement

Glenmont Elementary School ($4,885,283)

Air conditioning: Add to to Library Media Center (LMC) and cafeteria
Classroom renovations (11 rooms, incl. hallways & bathrooms)
Fire alarm system replacement
Exterior insulation repair
Fifth-grade corridor abatement and reinsulation
Window screen replacement
Boiler room door replacement
Gym door replacement
Skylight repairs

Hamagrael Elementary School ($6,604,972)

Air conditioning: Add to Library Media Center (LMC) and cafeteria
Classroom renovations (15 rooms)
Main office renovation/expansion
Gym/cafe renovations
AC/ventilation – Health Office
AC/ventilation – Faculty Room
AC/ventilation – Data/technology closet
Art Room casework repair
Stage floor refinishing
Fire alarm upgrades
Room 71 renovation to create a psychologist’s office
Door repair/replacements
Front canopy refurbishment
Skylight repairs

Slingerlands Elementary School ($7,056,614)

Air conditioning: Add to Library Media Center (LMC) and gym
Cafeteria and kitchen renovations
Classroom renovations – 6 rooms
Roof replacement where needed
Eliminate steep grade from play area to fields
Bathroom renovations (two areas)
Fire alarm upgrades
Main corridor refurbishment
Exterior canopy replacement
Storage shed replacement
Exterior window repair
Window screen replacement
Boiler plant replacement
Boiler room masonry repair
Door replacements

Bethlehem Central Middle School ($10,440,454)

Air conditioning: Add to all 2nd-floor classrooms, cafeteria, and upper and lower gyms
Main entrance wood door replacements
Fire alarm system replacement
Music room relocation from lower level
Window screen replacement
Roof replacement where needed
Cafeteria folding partition replacement
Art room renovations
Bathroom renovations
Girls’ Pool Locker Room renovations
Tech Room flooring repairs
Ceiling and light replacement in 8 classrooms
Interior door replacements and repairs
Serving line coiling door replacements
Worn stair tread replacement
Pool ramp floor replacement
Scoreboard and shot clock replacement – lower gym
Science & Technology classroom new tables & chairs
Elevator floor abatement and repair
PE & Athletics renovations
Secondary boiler repair and replacement
Dust collection system refurbishment

Bethlehem Central High School ($14,607,692)

Air conditioning: Add to all D-E Wing 2nd floor classrooms, cafeteria & gyms A, B, & C
Computer Lab renovations
Art room renovations (D225)
D-Wing bathroom renovations
Main Office renovations
Public Announcement (PA) system upgrades
Modernize D-Wing elevator
Revamp existing F-Wing space for theater and music storage
FACS classroom renovations
Kiln room and photo lab repairs
Bus lot and faculty parking lot repaving and striping
Sidewalk repairs
Gym C scoreboard/shot clock replacement
Fence replacement around stadium & track
Memorial Veterans’ Flag Memorial refurbishment
Field 5 storm structure improvements
Window screen replacement
Ventilation improvements (G122 to G127)
Water heater upgrades
B-Gym electrical panel replacement
Data rack relocation
Art room lighting improvements (D222, D224)
Auto shop and wood shop repairs
Roof replacement where needed
Flooring abatement/replacement where needed
Scoreboard replacement and shot clock addition at football stadium
Exterior insulation system cleaning/painting
Exterior door replacement at pool area

Transportation ($2,559,550)

Parking lot refurbishment
Bus lift replacement – Bay 7
Bus parking drainage repairs
Overhead door replacement
Bathroom renovations
Hot water heater replacement
Electrical upgrades – bus wash

Operations & Maintenance ($540,997)

Resurface parking lot and install washdown pad
Install material coffers