SOUTH GLENS FALLS – South Glens Falls Central School District residents will vote Tuesday, May 17, on a proposed $33,620,000 Envision 2025 capital project. The plan calls for no local impact on the tax levy.

The proposed project has been designed to advance the district’s instructional and co-curricular programs and improve the health, safety, security, and accessibility of district buildings.

The goal of Envision 2025 is to achieve energy efficiencies and cost-saving measures while also protecting the community’s long-term investment in infrastructure and technology.

“We are excited to present the Envision 2025 plan to the public,” said Superintendent of Schools Kristine Orr. “After the success of our last capital improvement project, we know we need to keep the momentum going. The upgrades proposed in this plan will positively impact both our students and the community.”

Much like the focus placed on South High during the 2015 Capital Project, the district saw a need for significant improvements to the middle school. Proposed updates to the Oliver W. Winch Middle School include: adding a retractable seating system and a reconstructed stage in the Large Group Instructional room, relocating public bathrooms from the lobby to improve entry space, library improvements, and science room upgrades.

When South Glens Falls Central School District staff were surveyed about this project in 2019, a majority of the comments received about potential improvements were focused on the middle school. Taking those ideas into account, SGF worked to develop a plan that would address the changing needs of our students.

“The LGI is showing its age and is no longer functional for the school community’s needs. Renovating the stage to make it floor level and adding a retractable seating system will allow for an LGI with a wide variety of uses,” Orr said.

Science classrooms at Oliver W. Winch Middle School require changes to make them 21st Century learning ready. Envision 2025 calls for replacing the current lab desks with moveable desks that can be configured as needed. Chalkboards will be replaced with modern whiteboards and new storage solutions for educational materials.

Several upgrades to district athletic facilities are also planned, including installing a multi-use turf field, installing new irrigation systems and relocating the track and baseball field to Tanglewood Elementary.

“As we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor learning spaces are invaluable. By constructing a new turf field, SGF would have a multi-purpose synthetic turf field that could be used nearly year-round,” Orr said. “The early spring and late fall can present challenges to our teams. Drainage issues can lead to standing water and muddy conditions, making playing tough or impossible. In contrast, the district anticipates that a turf field would be used nearly year-round for athletics and as an outdoor learning space for physical education classes.”

The project includes the following items:

Oliver W. Winch Middle School
- Overhaul the LGI room to improve both its function and performance. Changes would include replacing the stage with a floor-level performance space and putting in a retractable seating system
- Renovate the entry lobby to create an expanded, more inviting and functional space
- Relocate/renovate the main office suite, guidance suite and nurse suite to improve access and provide secure entry
- Improve library finishes and connection to the corridor
- Upgrade general classrooms by replacing ceilings, lighting and flooring. Existing chalkboards would be replaced with modern whiteboards
- Refurbish gym locker rooms to improve finishes and improve the line of sight
- Relocate the seventh-grade science rooms adjacent to the eighth-grade Family and Consumer Sciences classrooms
- Create a dedicated choral room and expand the current band classroom
- Modernize the technology classrooms to create an advanced learning center
- Provide a water filtration system and replace the water storage tank
Athletic facilities
- Install a synthetic turf multi-sport field at South High
- Relocate track and baseball fields to Tanglewood Elementary
- Provide athletic lighting, bleacher systems, and fencing
- Ensure SGF fields meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and are created to support students and visitors with special needs
- Improve natural grass fields by providing irrigation
- Expand the field area into an adjacent undeveloped property and provide additional natural grass playfields
- Provide additional parking
South High
- Remodel the guidance suite reception area to create more open space
- Renovate the nurse’s suite to improve its functionality
- Replace interior doors
- Replace kitchen hood fire suppression system
Elementary Schools
- Provide ADA compliant toilet rooms in the nurse and faculty rooms and main bathrooms
- Replace exterior doors
- Abate hazardous material
- Replace chalkboards with whiteboards at all elementary locations
- Refinish gym floors at Ballard and Tanglewood
- Replace classroom flooring
- Provide digital site signs at Ballard and Tanglewood
- Replace electric panel
- Replace water heater and storage tank
- Replace the hood fire suppression system in the kitchens
- Provide water filtration systems
- Replace stone window sills
- Replace drainage pipe
- Replace mechanical equipment Renovate storage rooms for improved utilization
- Partially replace roof at Tanglewood and Ballard

Voting on the proposed capital project will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Ballard and Tanglewood Elementary schools. The vote will be held in conjunction with the $64.94 million 2022-23 proposed budget and the board of education election. More information about all items on the ballot can be found on our website.

South Glens Falls Central School District

2022 CAPITAL PROJECT NEWS UPDATES

South Glens Falls Central School District 2022-23 budget and Envision 2025 Capital Project approved by voters

South Glens Falls residents to vote on $33.62 million capital project referendum

SGF working to finalize Envision 2025 Capital Project plans

Envision 2025 Presentation for Dec. 20, 2021

District leaders and stakeholders embark on continued capital planning