Our Campus Table of Contents
Departments & Services Links
Our Campus Contact Info
1738 Helderberg Trail
Berne, NY 12023
Phone: (518) 872-1293
Keith Domermuth, Director of Facilities
Pesticide and Asbestos Notifications
The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District provides annual notification regarding its Asbestos Management Plan, which includes periodic surveillance and public access to records in compliance with federal law. Additionally, the district maintains an Integrated Pest Management program that allows parents and staff to request 48-hour advance notice for specific pesticide applications throughout the school year.
Lead Testing
New York State law requires school districts to test water outlets for lead every three years and report results to health and education departments, following a 2022-23 mandate that lowered the action level to 5 parts per billion. The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District is currently compliant with these regulations, having conducted its most recent lead testing and retesting in the first half of 2024.
Building Use Requests
Looking to use our secondary school facilities?
If your group or organization is interested in reserving a room or using any of our secondary school facilities, please view the form below, complete it, and submit it. If you have any trouble, please contact the district office at (518) 872-1293.
All requests must be made a MINIMUM of a week in advance and must be approved by the superintendent.
No request is granted/final until the requester is sent a confirmation e-mail approving the request.
Please read the following disclaimers before sending your request:
- The district reserves the right to cancel reservations due to unforeseen changes/events.
- If school is closed or closes early, buildings are closed as well, and any events scheduled for that day will be canceled.
- For an outside organization, we will need proof of liability insurance for the group. That information should accompany the building use request, or we will not be able to process the request (please include it in the “event description” section).
- The requester will be liable for any loss of or damage to district equipment and/or property.
Facilities Improvements
Roof Replacement Capital Project 2025
Voters in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District approved a $5.142 million capital project to replace the roofs of the elementary and secondary schools, with work set to start in spring 2026 and finish by September 2026. The project will receive more than 79 % in state building aid to lessen the cost burden on the community.
BKW First Graders Move into Newly Renovated Classroom Space
BKW first graders move into their newly renovated classroom space, completed this week, as part of the ongoing district capital improvement project at the elementary and secondary schools. Thank you, community, for your support!
BKW Elementary School Capital Project Update – Heating System
A cold and snowy day at BKW … what better time to update the school community on the ongoing capital project and needed upgrades to the Elementary School’s aging heating and ventilation systems?
BKW Capital Project – 2019 Back to School Update
Work continues on the district’s capital project to repair, upgrade, and modernize the Elementary and Secondary schools. As BKW prepares for the start of a new school year, the top priority remains ensuring the safety and security of all who learn, work, and visit our schools.
A Message From Dr. Mundell About the Capital Project
Dear BKW Community, In recent weeks, BKW administrators and supervisors have worked closely with architects and construction managers to ensure NYSED’s final approval of our capital project plans. We received that approval, effective March 30, 2019. (read full story)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened Following Voter Approval?
Following voter approval of the capital project, an advisory committee of more than 20 employees and representatives worked with the architect and construction manager to finalize plans. Those plans were submitted in late summer to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for review and approval.
What Happens Next?
NYSED ensures the plans meet New York standards and will be eligible for building aid. Once NYSED approves the plans (expected before the end of 2018), district officials will issue requests for bids on the work. The district expects to award contracts in Spring ’19, then construction can begin. By law, a contract is awarded to the qualified company that submits the lowest cost for the specified work.
When Does the Work Take Place?
Construction at the secondary school begins as soon as Regents exams end in June ’19. That phase will be complete by the beginning of school in September ’19. Elementary school work begins in September ’19. Because the work will take place in phases, staff will use flex spaces, moving as needed as construction takes place in various parts of the building. All interior work will be complete by the beginning of school in September ’20. All exterior work will be complete in October ’20.
Will Children be Safe During Construction?
All work will occur away from students and staff or in off hours. No one will come in contact with an active construction area.
Once Completed, What Will the School Look Like?
One of the biggest obstacles in any capital project is to envision the finished project. So here are a few images shared by the architect.
What is the Scope of the Work?
As outlined prior to the capital project vote (see original voter information), work will include:
Elementary School
- Reconstruct West Wing Lower Level (K-1)
- Reconstruct West Wing Upper Level (2-3)
- Reconstruct Main Building Basement
- Reconstruct East Wing First Floor (4th)
- Reconstruct Main Building Second Floor (6th)
- Reconstruct East Wing Second Floor (5th)
- Cafeteria Upgrades for Multi-Purpose and Community Programming
- Agricultural STEM Lab Upgrades
Secondary School
- Upgrades to technology infrastructure and WiFi
- Security upgrades
- Improved entryway/lobby
- Asbestos removal
- Modernize instructional space
- Distance Learning Space
- Cafeteria Upgrades
Who Pays for Construction?
New York state underwrites the cost of school construction by reimbursing schools for approved construction projects. BKW will receive about 80 percent of the $19.8 million total cost (including any interest). The balance will be paid using $3.75 million in district reserves (money saved and set aside for specific uses such as building projects) and roughly $200,000 in local school taxes.
How are School Taxes Affected?
As outlined prior to the capital project vote, the average BKW taxpayer will see an increase of $1 a month for the first 64 months of the loan, according to the district’s fiscal advisors. The additional levy would be removed from local taxes at the end of that time. In other words, the total cost to the average taxpayer will be $65.
Bridging the Classroom Experience with the Outdoors
Who says that learning can’t be fun and engaging… and outdoors? At BKW, we’re bringing the elementary classroom experience outside! Recently, the BKW buildings and grounds crew, led by Keith Domermuth, worked with the district’s Floral Design & Landscaping students and FFA & Ag Pal students to introduce and build an outdoor learning library on the elementary campus.
The outdoor class space was recently dedicated to retired BKW Elementary School teacher Mrs. Tambasco. She is well-known throughout the school community for her commitment to introducing and strengthening reading opportunities for children.
“At BKW, we work to utilize our school campus to think outside the box to generate interest in learning while increasing students’ ability to explore classroom activities,” said BKW Elementary Principal Mrs. Landry. “After some thoughtful planning, we are able to provide a beautiful setting for our elementary students to learn and grow.”
The newly constructed outdoor space features small benches and a Little Free Library and is supplied with hardcover agriculture-themed children’s books. The goal of the space is to deliver an interactive experience for our youngest learners. This project will feature a hybrid learning space centering on reading and instruction, mixed with agricultural topics and curriculum.
The outdoor classroom space was made possible by a grant from New York Agriculture in the Classroom for $1,200. Established in 1985, New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC) is a partnership of Cornell University, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the NYS Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the New York Farm Bureau.
The space is currently being used by students and is a big hit on campus!