MCS Makes More Changes to Proposed Capital Project - E-Bus Work Pushed to a Later Project

MIDDLEBURGH - While the anticipated 2027 electric-bus mandate in New York remains in limbo, Middleburgh school officials are taking the uncertainty about the directive to delay some of the work in the proposed 2026 building project.

MCS Superintendent Mark Place told school board members at their February 12 meeting that there has been a lot of "chatter" a bout the zero-emission bus timeline for 2027. "With schools completing feasibility studies, more and more conversations at the legislative level are happening with regard to whether the 2027 cut off date for purchasing non-electric buses will remain as is," he said.

After feedback from the January meeting and additional input from architects, engineers, and staff,  officials have revised our scope of work. The latest revision moves the electrical upgrade at the bus garage to a future project. This then provides the district with the ability in the 2026 Capital Project to replace both bus lifts (which will be needed regardless of the electrification project) and addresses the roof drainage issues at the high school which can be addressed without damaging the roof, he said.

The district, he added, needs to "hold off as long as we can" before spending money on the electric bus mandate.

With the electrical upgrade eliminated in the bus garage, a second bus lift would be replaced at the garage and the high school roof drain and gutter would be replaced. The roof drain and gutter replacements had been put in a second project planned for 2031 but was moved up. The electrical upgrade at the bus garage was moved to the 2031 project. Fire suppression would also have to be done.

The proposed building project would be split in two phases. If approved, the first phase would be in 2026 with the second in 2031, or later.

In December  Superintendent Place said that with $2 million in the district's Capital Reserve, MCS can complete approximately $7 million in work ($8.1 million with contingency) without additional impact to the tax levy. At their January 8 meeting, he told board members that to align with financial constraints, officials have divided the project scope into two phases based on the estimates the district has received. The capital project in 2026 would focus on urgent, high-impact areas and a future capital project, in 2031 or later, would address deferred needs as additional reserves are built.

In February, Mr. Place noted that if the district put funds in the 2026 proposal for electric bus upgrades, MCS may never recoup the investment. Officials are working with BOCES and NYSERDA representatives on studies on the electrical upgrades. The district may prepare for the upgrades and add the conduit and upgrades later. The current range for large electric buses is about 65 miles.

School board members are expected to vote on the proposal in April. The public would vote at the same time at the budget vote in May.

The 2026 work may include:

Junior-Senior High School

* Gym columns. 

* Main entry.

* Upgrades for windows replaced in 2001.

* Column repair in front of the school. 

* Stage windows.

* Attic windows.

* Auditorium lighting. 

* Bathrooms in the cafeteria. 

* Replace roof drain .

* Replace Yankee gutter.

Elementary School

* Expanding the current school-based health center.

* Replacing the bleachers in the gym, which are in a state of disrepair and not being used this year.

* Adding an ADA-accessible sidewalk, along with lights and cameras for a new playground behind the elementary school or perhaps where the former Little League field was located. 

Bus Garage

* Parking.

* Storm drainage.

* Seal the floor.

* Replace a new lift.

* Bus lift #2.

* Conduit.

In the 2031 (or later) phase, work could include:

* The elementary and high school roofs.

* The high school cupola.

* High school dormers.

* The two quoins on the front facade of the high school.

* Upgrade electrical in the bus garage.

This strategic approach allows for: continued reserve growth to exceed $2 million, ensuring no additional tax levy impact and clear communication to the public about the scope and necessity of these repairs.

If approved, the work would begin in the summer of 2026. Bids would go out in February-March of that year with work to begin that summer.