Q & A
Chestnut Ridge Elementary Construction
Questions and Answers
The Chestnut Ridge School District plans to construct a two-story building attached to the southwest corner of the current middle school. This new building will house grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Two and will include a cafeteria, library/community room, gymnasium, and classrooms—covering approximately 62,000 square feet.
Did the district consider renovating Central Elementary?
As part of any major construction project, a feasibility study is conducted. The results of this study, along with personal observations, revealed issues that renovations could not resolve without exceeding the cost of new construction. Central Elementary has served the district well since its opening in 1960; however, the building's envelope, roof, heating system, electrical, and plumbing systems are all at the end of their useful life.
Additionally, new construction allows education at Central Elementary to continue uninterrupted during the construction process. Renovating the existing building would require the rental of portable classrooms, which would disrupt instruction and significantly increase costs.
Why did the district choose the proposed location?
The district prides itself on being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the community. To maximize these resources, the new building will be located adjacent to the middle school. This proximity allows for shared use of classrooms for Art, Music, and STEM. This means at least three additional spaces do not need to be constructed.
Moreover, the district can tie into the existing heating and electrical systems at the middle school, generating substantial savings. These decisions reduce the building’s total square footage and help limit the impact of Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage requirements.
For more information regarding prevailing wage in Pennsylvania, please click on the highlighted “PREVAILING WAGE.”
Why didn’t the district include grades three and four in the new design?
As previously noted, additional square footage comes with increased costs. The current grade configuration has served the district well. Adding classrooms for two more grades would raise the project cost by several million dollars. The proposed location will allow for shared educational opportunities and services for all elementary-aged students.
Was a one-story building considered?
Yes. After evaluating wants versus needs, it became clear that a two-story design would be far more cost-effective. The primary reason is that a smaller building footprint reduces the amount of necessary site work. As required, the two-story building will include an elevator to accommodate individuals with mobility issues. Our youngest students’ classrooms will be located in such a manner as to limit the amount of time they use stairs.
Will the new building have a gymnasium?
Yes. The district understands the importance of helping students feel connected to school, and for many, athletics play a key role. The additional full-size gymnasium space will support junior high and elementary games and practices. During the school day, it will be heavily used for recess, physical education, and other large group activities. Seating for approximately 500 spectators will be located on one side of the gymnasium.
How will traffic and parking be addressed?
With the new building will come increased traffic and visitors to the campus. To address this, two additional tiers of parking will be added. The district believes the long-standing traffic issues on Route 56 before and after school will be alleviated with this new building location.
Since the new building will be constructed over the road that currently runs behind the middle school, that traffic will be rerouted. This road will become a delivery-only route. Parents and community members will receive more detailed information in the future as traffic patterns change.
What type of HVAC systems were evaluated?
The district evaluated geothermal systems, traditional air conditioning, and the possibility of connecting to the current heating system. Utilizing the existing heating system—known for its cost efficiency—will save significant funds. Therefore, the district eliminated geothermal. The new building will have air conditioning in the same fashion as both the middle and high schools. Central Elementary relies on residential window units that are inefficient and do not provide dehumidification. Quite frankly, those units are an eyesore.
The district remains committed to providing a high-quality learning environment while managing taxpayer dollars responsibly.
How is safety being addressed in this project?
Safety is a top priority in the design and construction of the new elementary school. The plan includes secure single-point visitor entry, controlled access to all doors, a modern security system with cameras, and emergency communication tools. The layout of the building also promotes clear visibility for staff.
What is the anticipated timeline?
The process of moving from ideas to a new building is intensive and takes substantial time. The district has been working to acquire all of the necessary permits and documents with architects, engineers, and a construction management company. A typical process includes several design phases. Schematic Design and Design Development precede the generation of construction documents. All of this must be completed prior to going to bid.
The district hopes to open bids for the new building in January 2026, followed by 18 months of construction. Everyone is working diligently with the hope of occupying the new building for the 2027–2028 school year.
What will this project cost?
As many have seen in recent news, construction cost estimates remain uncertain due to fluctuating tariffs and other economic factors. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage law results in significantly higher costs than what a private individual would incur.
Under the leadership of both current and past school boards, the district is financially prepared to move forward. The district has been utilizing the services of a construction management company during design to ensure fiscally responsible decisions. The district is hopeful that favorable bidding will keep the total construction and soft costs under $30 million.
How will the district pay for this?
The district will be debt-free by July 2026. It has been saving for quite some time in order to contribute a significant amount toward the project. Additionally, state grants of up to $5 million are available. The district plans to aggressively pursue any and all grant opportunities.
Will there be any additional work around the district with this project?
There are always maintenance needs throughout a school district, as many items have limited lifespans, and some replacements are more costly than others. While the primary focus is Chestnut Ridge Elementary School, the district may address other items from its facilities plan if pricing is favorable. The most pressing of these are the roofs at the high school and middle school.
What will happen to Central Elementary?
Central Elementary will close in the summer of 2027, with demolition to follow. The site will then be repurposed for additional parking for events at the high school. This change will help alleviate parking along Route 56 during events such as Friday night football games.
Where can I see renderings of the new Chestnut Ridge Elementary School?
The district will host a public meeting on Tuesday, July 8, at 6:00 PM in the middle school auditorium. After this meeting, renderings will be posted on the district website.
Prior to the 6:00 PM meeting, community members are invited to visit Central Elementary to observe the current facility and better understand the district’s need for a new building.
Central Elementary will be open from 4:00 to 5:30 PM for public viewing, with guided tours provided by the administration.