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2025 Capital Project

Capital Project

At its October 14th, 2025 regular meeting, the Camden Central School District Board of Education passed a resolution to place a Capital Improvement Project up for vote by the qualified voters of the Camden Central School District. The vote will be held on Tuesday, December 9th from Noon to 8 PM in the Camden High School Auditorium Lobby.

The proposition, to be decided on by voters, is as follows:

Shall the Board of Education undertake a project consisting of the reconstruction and renovation of, and the construction of improvements, additions and upgrades to various School District buildings and facilities, including Camden High School and campus, Middle School and campus, Camden Elementary and campus, McConnellsville Elementary and campus, District Office, Maintenance Building and Bus Garage, the purchase of original furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus required in connection with the purposes for which such buildings, facilities and sites are used, all to include site, access, lighting, parking, athletic and playfield improvements, demolition, utility, mechanical, plumbing and electrical improvements as well as payment of professional fees and all other necessary costs incidental to such work (the “Project”) at a total maximum estimated cost of $30,000,000 and to pay for the Project by the levy of a tax which is hereby voted in the amount of $30,000,000, subject to available State aid or to any other revenues available for such purpose, which tax shall be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education and in anticipation of the collection of such tax, bonds and notes of the District are hereby authorized to be issued at one time, or from time to time, in the principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000, and a tax is hereby voted to pay the principal and interest on said obligations when due?

10/24/25 - LEGAL NOTICE RE: PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECT, SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

Public Relations
October 25, 2025

Project Board - Includes details on the scope of work, etc.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE VOTERS OF THE CAMDEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CAMDEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that pursuant to a Resolution adopted by the Board of Education of the District on the October 14, 2025, a special meeting of the qualified voters of said School District will be held at the High School Lobby located at 55 Oswego Street in Camden, New York by voting machine between the hours of 12:00 Noon and 8:00 P.M., on December 9, 2025, for the purpose of voting on the following proposition:

PROPOSITION

Shall the Board of Education undertake a project consisting of the reconstruction and renovation of, and the construction of improvements, additions and upgrades to various School District buildings and facilities, including Camden High School and campus, Middle School and campus, Camden Elementary and campus, McConnellsville Elementary and campus, District Office, Maintenance Building and Bus Garage, the purchase of original furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus required in connection with the purposes for which such buildings, facilities and sites are used, all to include site, access, lighting, parking, athletic and playfield improvements, demolition, utility, mechanical, plumbing and electrical improvements as well as payment of professional fees and all other necessary costs incidental to such work (the “Project”) at a total maximum estimated cost of $30,000,000 and to pay for the Project by the levy of a tax which is hereby voted in the amount of $30,000,000, subject to available State aid or to any other revenues available for such purpose, which tax shall be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education and in anticipation of the collection of such tax, bonds and notes of the District are hereby authorized to be issued at one time, or from time to time, in the principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000, and a tax is hereby voted to pay the principal and interest on said obligations when due?

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that qualified voters of the District may obtain applications for an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot from the office of the Clerk of the District. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the absentee ballot or early voting ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the absentee ballot or early voting ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. A listing of all persons to whom an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot is issued will be available for inspection by any qualified voter in the office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during each of the 5 days prior to the election, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and shall also be posted at the polling place at the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military ballots may be applied for by qualified voters by requesting an application from the District Clerk at 315-245-4075 or awilliams@camdencsd.org. Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 14, 2025. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. An individual will qualify as a military voter if he or she (1) is a qualified voter of the State of New York, who is in actual military service, and by reason of such military service is absent from the District on the day of the election, or is a voter who is discharged from military service within 30 days of an election; or (2) a spouse, parent, child, or dependent of such service member who is a qualified voter and is absent due to accompanying or being with the military service member.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Camden Central School District has complied with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and the SEQRA regulations promulgated thereto. No further action is required pursuant to SEQRA.

DATED: October 24, 2025

BY ORDER OF THE CAMDEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION:

Adja Williams
District Clerk
Camden Central School District
​​​​​​​Camden, New York 13316

FOR PUBLICATION: October 24, November 11, November 21, December 5, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A capital improvement project allows the District to make critical facility upgrades in a strategic, cost-effective way. It ensures long-term financial stability while maximizing available state building aid.

  • Every five years, NYS requires school districts to complete a Building Condition Survey. Our 2023 Building Condition Survey identified approximately $74 million in maintenance, repair, and improvement needs across all School District Buildings. This $30 million project provides an opportunity to address the highest-priority items, maximize state building aid, and complete necessary work without increasing the local share.

  • A December vote gives us adequate time to design, submit plans to the state, obtain state approval, receive bids, and award contracts. Under this timeline we can ideally begin work in the summer of 2027 which allows crews two full summers to complete work efficiently while limiting impact on instruction.

    • Step 1: Pre-referendum planning
    • Step 2: Board adopts project resolution
    • Step 3: Public vote
    • Step 4: Project design work
    • Step 5: Submit project documents to the NYS Facilities
    • Step 6: Receive approval from NYSED (Building Permits issued)
    • Step 7: Request for bids
    • Step 8: Board of Education approves award of contracts
    • Step 9: Construction work begins
    • Step 10: Close-out project after completion

  • The State will pay 93.7% (93.7 cents on the dollar) for aid-eligible items. The remaining 6.3% (6.3 cents), along with any ineligible work, represents the local share. The District plans to offset this local share by retiring existing debt. The District does not anticipate any tax increase for property owners due to this project.

  • Building Aid is financial support from NYS that helps school districts pay for the cost of constructing, renovating, or improving school facilities. It’s designed to make sure communities aren’t bearing the full financial burden of keeping schools safe, modern, and effective learning environments.

  • The District Facilities Committee prioritized items identified through the Building Condition Survey. The project focuses on required maintenance, upgrades and improvements needed for the safe and healthy operation of our schools.

  • Without a voter-approved capital project, infrastructure issues that occur, such as roof leaks or HVAC failures etc., would require reallocating funds from student programs and services toward repairs.

  • This project reflects months of careful planning and collaboration by the District Facilities Committee, which includes parents, community members, Board of Education members, and District staff working alongside the District’s financial advisors, architects, and construction managers. Our committee unanimously approved this project which addresses essential maintenance and repairs that cannot be delayed. The project ensures our buildings remain safe and well-maintained while protecting our community’s investment for the future.

    We appreciate your continued support as we strive to maintain safe, efficient learning environments for all students.

    • Community Members: Kristin Drought, Lenny Hite, Barry Kirch, Heather Light, Dave O'Hara
    • School Board Members: Mark Carpenter, Misty Portner
    • District representatives: Randy Bajohr, Jason Evangelist, Karen Jones
    • King & King Architects: Ann Marie Benedict, Amy Daley, Phil Squadrito
    • C&S Construction Management: Nathan Van Wie, Damian Zombek
    • R.G. Timbs, Inc. Financial Advisors: Dr. Rick Timbs, Jessica Bianchi

What is a Qualified Voter?

A qualified voter is one who is:

  1. A citizen of the United States of America,
  2. Eighteen years of age or older,
  3. Resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days preceding the annual vote and election, and
  4. Not otherwise disqualified to vote by applicable law.

The School District may require that all persons offering to vote at the budget vote and election provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law Section 2018-c. Such form may include a driver’s license, a non-driver’s identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card.

Upon offer of proof of residency, the School District may also require that all persons offering to vote provide their signature, printed name and address.

Apartment dwellers who meet these qualifications are eligible. No prior registration is required and residents do not have to be registered voters. (Education Law § 2012)

Absentee/Early/Military Voter Information

Important Dates:

  • Absentee/ Early/Military Application is available for pickup: October 20
  • First day Clerk may receive an application: October 21
  • Application due date, if ballot is to be mailed: December 2nd
  • Last day Clerk may mail a ballot: December 3
  • Last day Clerk may receive an application for ballot pickup: December 8
  • Completed Ballot due to Clerk by: December 9 at 5 p.m.

Absentee/Early/Military Ballot Process:

The application must be returned to the District Clerk. Upon verification of your qualifications to receive a ballot, the ballot will be sent to you at the address you printed above OR handed to you if time does not permit mailing. A voter must return both the completed application and the completed ballot for the ballot to be counted.
*Do not return the application in the ballot envelope.

What qualifies as a 'Military Voter'?

An individual will qualify as a military voter if he or she:

  • Is a qualified voter of the State of New York, who is in actual military service, and by reason of such military service is absent from the District on the day of the election, or is a voter who is discharged from military service within 30 days of an election; or
  • A spouse, parent, child, or dependent of such service member who is a qualified voter and is absent due to accompanying or being with the military service member.