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Valley Central School District

Board of Education Meeting

Walden Feasibility Study Review

October 30, 2024

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Agenda

  • Purpose of the Feasibility Study
  • Elementary School Equity Study Findings
  • Community Surveys
  • Feasibility Study Options
  • Budget Estimates and Timelines

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“The purpose of a school construction program must be to improve the education of children.”

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Purpose

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Purpose of the Study

To evaluate long-range options for Walden Elementary School, it’s site and building facility including:

  • Full “gut” renovation of the existing school facility.
  • Building renovations/improvements including the construction of a new addition (to address educational space deficiencies).
  • Demolition of the existing Walden Elementary School and construction of a new Walden Elementary School on the current site (with no expansion).
  • Construction of a new Walden Elementary School on an alternate site (meeting the NYS Education Department site standards).

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Purpose of the Study

Enrollment Projections:

  • The District is in the process of updating the demographic and enrollment projections utilizing Western Suffolk BOCES.
  • The initial projections indicate an increase in enrollment district wide or over 300 students (7.3%) by 2034.
  • Elementary grades are anticipated to increase by over 100 students by 2027.
  • This information will be forthcoming with additional details as this report is finalized.

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Equity Study Findings

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Equity Study Findings

How Walden Elementary School compares to the other elementary schools within the district?

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The Equity Study compared the following Schools:

  • Walden Elementary School
  • Berea Elementary School
  • East Coldenham Elementary School
  • Montgomery Elementary School

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Equity Study Findings

Equity Study focused on 5 key factors:

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  • Square Foot of gross building area per student
  • Site acreage per student
  • Minimum educational space standards
  • Equitable specialized instructional spaces
  • Equitable site amenities

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Equity Study Findings Summary

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Equity Study Findings Summary

Site Size Comparison

Walden ES

2.258 Acres

Montgomery ES

11.782 Acres

East Coldenham ES

40.23 Acres

Berea ES

53.553 Acres

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Community Surveys

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Survey Instrument

  • The Community Survey was accessible to all residents in November of 2023, and again in September of 2024.
  • The Survey comprised 18 Questions.
  • The Survey was distributed using an email link that was accessed from the District’s website or distributed in some other manner (paper submission).
  • The survey could only be answered once per email address to avoid the data being skewed.
  • The collected data is summarized within the Walden Feasibility Study Report.

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Survey Findings

  • There were over 900 respondents inclusive of both the November 2023 and September 2024 survey offerings.
  • Of survey respondents, over 45% were parent/guardians and over 30% were community members.
  • The Survey identified the 3 top areas of importance as:
    • Safety and Security
    • Educational Space
    • Accessibility / ADA Compliance

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Survey Findings

  • Results indicate the importance for educational programs including STEM Education, Humanities, Physical Health Education and Wellness, and the Arts.
  • Nearly 50% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that Walden Elementary School provides sufficient outdoor space for students.
  • Over 50% of respondents expressed the importance of facilities for the Visual Arts and most also expressed disagreement that Walden Elementary School provided sufficient facilities for the visual and performing arts.

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Options for Walden ES

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Options Overview

  • The Feasibility Study considered key factors related to the renovation of the existing Walden Elementary School or the construction of a new school facility including:
    • For Renovation Options
      • Condition Assessment
      • Regulatory Compliance
      • Timeline and Project Duration
      • Adaptability to 21st Century Learning
      • Historical and Cultural Value
      • Cost Analysis
    • For New Construction Options
      • Site Analysis
      • Space and Design Requirements
      • Timeline and Project Duration
      • Environmental Impact
      • Community and Stakeholder Involvement
      • Cost-Benefit Analysis

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Options Overview

  • Each of the identified options must be measured against a set of Building Program Objectives for Walden Elementary School including:
    • Support for the educational offerings within Valley Central Schools.
    • Supporting the planned or projected enrollment of the Walden Elementary School catchment area established in the district.
    • NY State Education Department standards.
    • NY State Building Codes.
    • Other mandates (ADA Compliance, etc.).
  • Each option will consider both the existing enrollment of 430 students, and an expanded enrollment of 540 students (to potentially capture more students within the Walden ES catchment area).

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

  • The option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary for a student capacity of either 430 students or 540 students provides the following:
    • All capital work identified in the 2021 Building Condition Survey.
    • Other improvements identified in the district’s 5-Year Capital Facilities Plan.
    • Improvements to address State Education Department minimum space standards, as expressed in the Community Survey data, if possible.
    • Improvements to bring the school up to current code compliance.
    • Improvements to make the school fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), also noted a key issue by the Community Survey data.

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

  • The option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary attempts to address minimum space standards for both classrooms and specialized instruction that are currently deficient. This option does not increase the size of the existing site.
  • In the option to accommodate 430 students (existing building enrollment):
    • The building would lack two (2) grade level classrooms.
    • One (1) classroom would still fall below the SED minimum standards.
    • The site would still be significantly under the SED minimum standard.
    • The building would lack a dedicated performing arts stage venue (permanent).

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

  • In the option to accommodate 540 students (expanded building enrollment):
    • The building would lack three (3) grade level classrooms.
    • Fourteen (14) classrooms would still fall below the SED minimum standards.
    • The site would still be significantly under the SED minimum standard.
    • The building would lack a dedicated performing arts stage venue (permanent).

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

Strengths and Weaknesses of the option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary include:

Strengths:

  • The options to renovate the existing Walden Elementary School represent the lowest overall Total Project Costs.
  • The option for renovation only has limited impact on the schedule for construction and impacts to the educational programs.
  • This option reduces (but does not eliminate) the number of educational spaces that are deficient based upon current NYS Education Department standards by re-demising areas within the building.
  • The renovation options updates critical building infrastructure and life safety systems.

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

Weaknesses:

  • While Total Project Costs represent the lowest of the options considered, they have the highest potential for unforeseen conditions which can negatively impact budgets.
  • Renovation options lack sufficient instructional spaces to house the entire Walden Elementary School program.
  • Renovation options do not maintain all instructional spaces at the minimum NYSED standards.
  • Bonding for renovations is limited to 15 years and can inflate the average annual cost of the borrowing vs. a 30-year term for new construction.

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

Weaknesses:

  • The option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary School does not correct key deficiencies related to:
    • The lack of adequate outdoor site amenities including student P.E. and play space.
    • The lack of sufficient parking for both staff and visitors on site.
    • The lack of equitable resources when compared to the other elementary schools within the Valley Central School District.
  • Renovation does not address the priorities expressed in the Community Survey which focused on lack of adequate outdoor areas, greenspace, and space for the performing arts.

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Option to Renovate Existing WES

Strengths and Weaknesses of the option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary include:

Weaknesses:

  • The option to renovate Walden Elementary School offers the lowest life expectancy for building components and systems replaced as part of the renovations.
  • The option to renovate will still present higher operational costs due to some of the limitations with renovations due to the existing building, especially the original structure.
  • The cost of renovations is nearing 50% of the replacement cost for the building, which is generally an accepted threshold related to the amount of short-term investment vs. long-term benefits of new construction.

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

  • The option to construct an addition to and renovate the existing Walden Elementary for a student capacity of either 430 students or 540 students provides the following:
    • All capital work identified in the 2021 Building Condition Survey.
    • Other improvements identified in the district’s 5-Year Capital Facilities Plan.
    • Improvements to address State Education Department minimum space standards, as expressed in the Community Survey data, if possible.
    • Improvements to bring the school up to current code compliance.
    • Improvements to make the school fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), also noted a key issue by the Community Survey data.
    • An addition to accommodate a Cafeteria, Media Center, and Maker Space.

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

  • The option to construct an addition to and renovate Walden Elementary attempts to address minimum space standards for both classrooms and specialized instruction that are currently deficient, as well as construct an addition for a new Cafeteria, Media Center, and Maker Space. This option does not increase the size of the existing site.
  • In the option to accommodate 430 students (existing building enrollment):
    • One (1) classroom would still fall below the SED minimum standards.
    • The site would still be significantly under the SED minimum standard.
    • The building would lack a dedicated performing arts stage venue (permanent).

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

  • In the option to accommodate 540 students (expanded building enrollment):
    • The building would lack one (1) grade level classroom.
    • Eleven (11) classrooms would still fall below the SED minimum standards.
    • The site would still be significantly under the SED minimum standard.
    • The building would lack a dedicated performing arts stage venue (permanent).

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

Strengths and Weaknesses of the option to construct an addition to and renovate the existing Walden Elementary include:

Strengths:

  • This option represents a slightly higher overall Total Project Cost to just renovation, however it is substantially lower than the cost of new construction.
  • Has a slightly greater impact on the schedule for construction and potential impacts to the educational programs, as the construction of the addition will be continuing throughout the academic school year.
  • Provides a greater impact on addressing educational spaces that are deficient by re-demising areas within the building, with only 1 space remaining under the standards for the option 430 student capacity option.
  • The renovation options updates critical building infrastructure and life safety systems.

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

Weaknesses:

  • Has a greater impact on schedule for construction and potential impacts to the educational programs, as the construction of the addition will continue throughout the academic school year.
  • While the Total Project Costs are lower when compared with new construction, it has a higher potential for unforeseen conditions which can negatively impact the budgets.
  • The option to renovate the existing Walden Elementary School does not correct key deficiencies related to:
    • The lack of adequate outdoor site amenities including student P.E. and play space.
    • The lack of sufficient parking for both staff and visitors on site.
    • The lack of equitable resources when compared to the other elementary schools within the Valley Central School District.

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Option to Reno/Add to WES

Weaknesses:

  • The bonding is limited to 15 years, and this can inflate the average annual cost of the borrowing vs. a 30-year term for new construction.
  • This option offers a lower life expectancy for building components and systems replaced as part of the renovations.
  • This option will still present higher operational costs due to some of the limitations with renovations due to the existing building, especially the original structure.
  • The cost of the additions and renovations is nearing 50% of the replacement cost for the building, which is generally an accepted threshold related to the amount of short-term investment vs. long-term benefits of new construction.

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

  • The option to construct a new Walden Elementary School on the existing site for a student capacity of either 430 students or 540 students provides the following:
    • Provides equitable educational program offerings within the district.
    • Meets all the requirements of current NY State codes, Education Department standards, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and similar mandates.
    • Supports the planned or projected enrollment of the Walden Elementary School catchment area as established by the district.

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

First Floor Plan

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Second Floor Plan

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Site Plan

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Strengths and Weaknesses of the option to construct a new Walden Elementary on the existing site include:

Strengths:

  • This option would result in a facility that was developed to meet the mission and vision of the Valley Central School District and provide the greatest opportunity for equitable educational program spaces within the school when compared to the other elementary buildings in the district.
  • This option, with the exception of the site, would provide educational spaces meeting the current NYS Education Department standards. In addition, this option allows the district to design the building to meet 21st Century Learning practices to further enhance the learning experience of the students and offer more flexible learning opportunities throughout the building.

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Strengths:

  • New construction would provide for the latest compliance of codes and standards, life safety, and energy efficiency.
  • New construction will have a higher life expectancy over renovation options.
  • New construction will have one of the lower operational costs over time, and lower overall maintenance.
  • New construction would provide greater opportunities to consider sustainable systems, renewable energy opportunities (such as solar), and material selections which can reduce regular maintenance and cleaning practices.
  • The district can utilize 30-year bonds for financing, which can lower the overall annual impact of the larger expenditure.

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Weaknesses:

  • This option represents a higher overall Total Project Cost than options to renovate or to renovate and construct additions to expand the existing Walden School building.
  • This option requires the razing of the existing Walden Elementary School building and represents an additional increase to the overall total Project Budget.
  • This option does not correct key deficiencies related to the site including:
    • The lack of adequate outdoor site amenities including student P.E. and play space.
    • The lack of sufficient parking for both staff and visitors on site.
    • Addressing the priorities in the Community Survey which focused on lack of adequate outdoor areas, greenspace, and space for the performing arts.

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Option for New WES on Exist Site

Weaknesses:

  • With new construction meeting all the educational standards and requirements, it may result in a larger footprint compared to the existing structure and result in decreased amounts of exterior space for P.E. and play space, parking, and site circulation.
  • Perhaps most important, this option will require razing the existing Walden Elementary School building to facilitate the new construction. This will require the district have plans to relocate the Walden Programs to an alternate site, or an alternate temporary facility for at least two (2) academic school years. If temporary classrooms structures are utilized, this would represent additional costs which are not currently accounted for in the budgets presented in the feasibility report.

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Option for New WES on New Site

  • The option to construct a new Walden Elementary School on an alternate or newly acquired site for a student capacity of either 430 students or 540 students provides the following:
    • Provides equitable educational program offerings within the district.
    • Meets all the requirements of current NY State codes, Education Department standards, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and similar mandates.
    • Meets all the minimum SED site standards.
    • Supports the planned or projected enrollment of the Walden Elementary School catchment area as established by the district.

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Option for New WES on New Site

Strengths and Weaknesses of the option to construct a new Walden Elementary on an alternate or newly acquired site include:

Strengths:

  • This option would result in a facility that was developed to meet the mission and vision of the Valley Central School District and provide the greatest opportunity for equitable educational program spaces within the school when compared to the other elementary buildings in the district.
  • This option would provide educational spaces meeting current NYS Education Department standards and allow the design of the building to meet 21st Century Learning practices to further enhance learning experiences and offer more flexible learning opportunities throughout the building.

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Option for New WES on New Site

Strengths:

  • New construction would provide for the latest compliance of codes and standards, life safety, and energy efficiency.
  • New construction will have a higher life expectancy over renovation options.
  • New construction will have one of the lower operational costs over time, and lower overall maintenance.
  • New construction would provide greater opportunities to consider sustainable systems, renewable energy opportunities (such as solar), and material selections which can reduce regular maintenance and cleaning practices.
  • The district can utilize 30-year bonds for financing, which can lower the overall annual impact of the larger expenditure.

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Option for New WES on New Site

Strengths:

  • This option would allow for construction to be completed without the need to displace the Walden Elementary program. The Walden School would continue during construction and move into the new facility once completed. There would be no interruption in the academic setting.

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Option for New WES on New Site

Weaknesses:

  • This option to construct a new Walden Elementary School on an alternate or acquired site represent the highest overall Total Project Cost than options to renovate or to renovate and construct additions to expand the existing Walden School building.

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Budget Estimates and Timelines

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NY State Building Aid

  • The New York State Education Department (SED) provides Building Aid to public school districts for approved capital projects involving buildings housing elementary and/or secondary students.
  • This includes projects involving:
    • The renovation of existing structures.
    • The construction of additions to existing structures.
    • The construction of new school facilities.
  • The determination of estimated building aid is based upon the number of Building Aid Units (BAU) assigned by the Office of Facilities Planning to a building for the purpose of determining the Maximum Cost Allowance (MCA).
  • The BAU are multiplied by the current Construction Project Cost Index and a Regional Cost Factor (19.03%) to determine the Maximum Cost Allowance.

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NY State Building Aid

Options to Renovate and Renovate / Construct an Addition to WES

  • The existing Maximum Cost Allowance (MCA) for Walden Elementary School, based upon 744 BAU assigned by NYSED is $16,536,495.
  • The MCA is a “rolling” 5-year window. Any previously approved project that is within this 5-year window will be subtracted from the MCA.
  • The MCA for Walden, including any previous approved projects is estimated as $13,875,878.
  • At the District’s current Building Aid ratio of 73.4%, the estimated amount of Building Aid would be $10,184,894.
  • This amount would be the same for both a capacity of 430 or 540 students

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NY State Building Aid

Options to Construct a New WES for a capacity of 430 Students

  • The Maximum Cost Allowance (MCA) for a new Walden Elementary School with a capacity of 430 students is estimated as 758 BAU with an MCA of $17,556,168.
  • When reducing the MCA to reflect the “rolling” 5-year window and previous approved projects, the MCA is estimated as $14,895,551.
  • At the District’s current Building Aid ratio of 73.4%, the estimated amount of Building Aid would be $10,933,334.

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NY State Building Aid

Options to Construct a New WES for a capacity of 540 Students

  • The Maximum Cost Allowance (MCA) for a new Walden Elementary School with a capacity of 540 students is estimated as 943 BAU with an MCA of $22,376,568.
  • When reducing the MCA to reflect the “rolling” 5-year window and previous approved projects, the MCA is estimated as $19,715,951.
  • At the District’s current Building Aid ratio of 73.4%, the estimated amount of Building Aid would be $14,471,908.

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Project Timelines

  • All options will require pre-construction phases including:
    • Pre-Referendum Planning / Voter Authorization (estimated 7 - 12 months)
    • Design Process (estimated 9 - 12 months)
    • NYS Education Department Review and Approval (Currently 26 Weeks)
    • Public Bidding Process or other procurement process (est. at 2 months)
  • Pre-Construction phases are estimated at between 20 and 24 months for the options being considered.
  • The use of a 3rd Party Review process with NYSED can reduce the above timeline by 3 to 4 months.

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Project Timelines

Renovate the Existing Walden Elementary School

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Project Timelines

Renovation and Addition to the Existing Walden Elementary School

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Project Timelines

New Walden Elementary School on Existing or New Site

Student Relocation Required Prior to the start of Construction for Existing Site

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Budget Assumptions

  • Estimates are based upon a Referendum Vote of December 2025. This date is ONLY utilized for the purposes of this study and is subject to change.
  • The budget estimates include:
    • A 10% estimating contingency to recognize the conceptual level of this project.
    • Escalation to the estimated mid-point of construction, calculated at 3% per year, compounded.
    • Incidental expenses of 20% to reflect project related expenses including fees, testing, legal, insurances, administrative and other costs.
    • Options for construction of a new Walden ES on a new site carry $1,210,000 for site acquisition costs.
    • Options for renovations or renovations/addition are based upon a 15-year loan term, new construction options are based upon a 30-year loan term.
    • Interest rate is based upon an assumed 6% rate.
    • Estimates currently assume no use of Capital Reserve funds.

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Budget and Building Aid

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