Capital Plan Moves Forward

  Board Retains Construction Manager

This month the Facilities Committee reviewed proposed improvements in the auditorium project and reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of entering into a Project Labor Agreement as a way of managing construction.

KG&D Architecture showed a redesigned path connecting the auditorium side lobby to existing walkways. The group discussed the surrounding landscaping and agreed that some existing trees should be replaced during the project and that an overall landscaping plan would be needed to determine the scope of the changes.

KG&D also reported that cost estimators are now reviewing the drawings to come up with a budget that reflects the design development phase of the project.  After the budget is set there will be a second review of proposed materials and finishes. The group also discussed some of the  scheduling issues related to asbestos abatement and access to the auditorium.

The major agenda item was a review of the consultant report regarding a Project Labor Agreement as a way to manage planned construction. The report estimated this approach would save $48,000 on the total budget of $10 million. However, District counsel offered a legal opinion that the report did not make a compelling case for Bronxville's eligibility to enter into a Project Labor Agreement. At the end of the discussion the general consensus was that it would be safer to pursue the construction manager approach.  Several construction management were interviewed earlier in the school year, and at its February meeting, the Board of Education agreed to retain the services of Park East Construction for a fee not to exceed $300,000. Chair of the Facilities Committee Jim Hudson pointed out that schedule and costs could be managed through careful bid specifications and related contracts, achieving the same results as a Project Labor Agreement. He complimented Dan Carlin for negotiating a lower fee for the construction management services.

PTA Donates $875,000 to Auditorium Project

At its February meeting the Bronxville Board of Education accepted an $875,000 donation from the PTA in support of the planned renovation of the School auditorium.  PTA Vice President Margaret Mager presented the donation, calling it the single largest grant in the entire history of the Bronxville PTA since 1953. The sum represents the proceeds from last year's benefit auction with the theme of "Staging Our Future" and chaired by Louise Parzick and Priscilla Newman. Over 500 people attended the benefit. In presenting the contribution, Mager also acknowledged the contributions of Helen Knapp (PTA President), Nina Evison, (former PTA President), hundreds of volunteers; and numerous businesses.

Board President David Brashear thanked the PTA and the parent community for their "great generosity and phenomenal contribution." Superintendent David Quattrone added that the private contributions for the project enabled the District to pursue a superior design that better meets the needs of all 1600 students, faculty, and the community at large.

The auditorium project, estimated at $7 million, is part of a $10 million capital plan that also includes renovation of Middle School science labs. The plan was conceived as a public-private partnership funded by $2.5 million in the districts capital reserves,  $3 million from private donations and grants, and $13.5 million from a bond that was approved by voters last October.

Architects Complete Design Development

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin reported that KG&D architects and the associated design team have completed the design development phase of the District's capital plan, encompassing science lab and auditorium renovations.  He presented a preliminary construction schedule, calling for submission of plans to the state in April 2013, the awarding of bids this coming fall, and substantial completion by December 2014. 

Dr. James Hudson, chair of the Board of Education's advisory committee on facilities,  cautioned that the time required for State approval is a variable, injecting uncertainty into the schedule. He said that the architects would also present the plans and an updated budget estimate to the full Board of Education prior to submission to the State.

At January facilities committee meeting Russ Davidson and the team of architects from KG&D presented the completed drawings. The next phase entails construction specifications and new estimates of the cost of the project based on the more complete drawings. The architects hope to submit the drawings to the NY State Education Department in April. The project schedule allows a seven-month period for review, revision, and approval of the drawings.

Parallel to this work, the District has enlisted the services of a consultant to investigate the feasibility of using a project labor agreement as a way of managing construction that report is expected in the next few weeks and will be reviewed at the next committee meeting.

 

Bond Referendum: Message from Superintendent 

On October 2nd Bronxville residents approved a $4.5 million bond referendum by a margin of 490 to 194.  Augmented by over $3 million in private contributions and $2.5 million in a construction reserve, this vote authorizes funding to renovate science laboratories, the auditorium, and make other infrastructure improvements. The turnout exceeded the showing in recent school budget elections -- 356 in 2010, 297 in 2011, and 505 this past May.

Public endorsement of the capital plan shows that the Bronxville community is not only extraordinarily generous financially, but also deeply committed to its children and their schools. Let me give thanks and appreciation to all those who did so much to raise money, get out the vote, and build public awareness of the genuine need to undertake this work. Particular thanks go to the Bronxville School Foundation, the PTA, and the Bronxville residents who spearheaded the effort to raise private funds. For those who expressed uncertainty, doubt, or opposition, we will do our best to gain your confidence and support by bringing home a high quality product that is on time and under budget.

Now the work begins, and I am happy to be part of something that will have a positive impact on our students for many years to come.

FINAL ACT IS A SUCCESS

     The Final Act fundraising campaign has raised over $1.2MM, due to the enthusiastic and widespread support of the community.  The aim of the Matching Gift Program was broad participation for a project that benefits the entire Village.  As a result, over 350 families made generous gifts and pledges to the campaign.

     Following the fulfillment of all pledges on or before September 30, 2012, we anticipate the match from the anonymous donor to be in excess of $600,000. This remarkable gift is a direct result of the number of families, both school and non-school, who supported this campaign--an incredible statement about the generosity and commitment of our community.

We thank all who have given their time, energy and resources to our school district throughout this effort!
     If you would still like to donate to the campaign and have not done so yet, the donor card can be found at this website: http://www.scribd.com/doc/93112359.Checks and donor cards can be sent to: Bronxville School Auditorium Project, 177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708. 

 Bronxville School Community Pledges Support for Auditorium  
     

      On Monday, June 4^th, the “Final Act” private fund raising initiative for the Bronxville School Auditorium announced that it has raised over $1.2 million from more than 350 families. Once all pledges are fulfilled by September 30, 2012, the match from an anonymous donor is expected to exceed $600,000. 

      “The Matching Gift Program ended midnight June 1^st with checks and pledges pouring in!” said Final Act co-chair Jennifer Mackesy. “The widespread participation was remarkable and says so much about the generosity and commitment of our community.”

       The Final Act campaign completes and may exceed the private fund raising goal of $3 million for Bronxville School’s $10 million capital plan, encompassing extensive auditorium renovations and a lobby addition, Middle School science lab upgrades, and a number of high priority infrastructure items.

        In 2010, the Bronxville School Board of Education adopted a goal to upgrade these facilities and expressed an interest in pursuing a private/public partnership as a way of financing the plan. In April, the Bronxville School Foundation agreed to award $850,000 in support of the plan, and the PTA has committed an additional $875,000, comprised of $400,000 from its capital reserves and $475,000 from its successful auditorium benefit “Staging Our Future.”

        In addition to these private funds, the Board of Ed anticipates using up to $7 million from the District for these projects. At a May 24th special meeting, the Board of Ed agreed to commit a construction reserve of $2 million to the projects and approved borrowing up to $5 million.  Community members will have the opportunity to vote on the bond referendum on Tuesday, October 2nd.

       “We hope all of our generous donors go to the polls on October 2” said Final Act co-chair Christine Fitzgibbons, adding a heartfelt thanks to all who gave their time, energy and resources to this effort.

EXCITING NEWS: MATCHING GIFT COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Triple your gift to the auditorium from now until June 1, 2012! A generous Final Act Supporter has pledged a 2:1 match for every gift up to $2,500. For gifts above $2,500, this supporter will add $5,000 to your gift! The objective of the matching gift program is to draw widespread support from the community.
The following table illustrates the multiplying effect of the match:

Your Donation	Matching Gift	Total Amount Given to Fund
$     250	$    500	$      750
$     500	$ 1,000	$  1,500
$   1,000	$ 2,000	$   3,000
$   2,500	$ 5,000	$   7,500
$   5,000	$ 5,000	$ 10,000
$ 10,000	$ 5,000	$ 15,000

Please join us in becoming a donor and learning more about this important project by attending a presentation by Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone.

Bronxville Field Club
Thursday, May 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM.
RSVP to finalactbxv@gmail.com by May 11th.

Please consider a donation to take advantage of this special matching program that EXPIRES ON JUNE 1st! By now you should have received an informational mailing. Pledge card is here http://www.scribd.com/doc/93112359. Send checks to: Bronxville School Auditorium Project, 177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708. 
Your gift is tax deductible.
For District information on the Auditorium Project: http://www.edline.net/pages/bxv/Capital_Plan