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
Roof Replacement – Capital Project 2025
BKW Voters Approve $5.142M Capital Project
Voters of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District approved a $5.142 million capital project, which was scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026, with 295 in favor and 87 opposed – a margin of 77%.
The $5.142 capital project, which replaced the roofs on both the elementary and secondary school buildings, received over 79% in building aid, helping to alleviate the financial impact on the community. Completion of the capital project occurred in September 2026.
A simple majority (50% plus one) was required for the capital project to pass.
“We appreciate our community for supporting this capital project and the impact it will have on generations of students moving forward,” said Superintendent of Schools Bonnie Kane.
“Our community continues to support the work being done to enhance our campus, and allows us to protect our learning resources for the future. We thank them for their continued support.”
Community Update: Capital Project Vote Nov. 10
As the district neared the capital project vote on Monday, November 10, it continued to receive feedback and questions from the community regarding the upcoming vote. Over the several weeks leading up to it, the district worked to deliver specific information to ensure voters stayed informed during the process.
At that time, the district featured an easy-to-read Q&A that addressed the overall cost of the project and introduced items related to the discussions taking place within the school community. It was the district’s ongoing commitment to share clear details to allow voters to be prepared for the capital project vote on November 10.
FAQs
Question: Why did the local share of the proposed capital project go down from previous projections?
Answer: The assessment values for the district for 2025-26 are now available (previous projections were done based on available data for 2024-2025). The overall value of homes in the district increased, thus spreading out the local share. Home values affect each town differently and are dependent on many factors, such as reassessments. Please know that tax rates are established by a combination of equalization rate, assessed value, and the school tax levy. The district only sets the levy amount.
Question: Can you include capital project work as part of the annual school budget?
Answer: No. The school budget is intended to cover student education, routine maintenance, and day-to-day repairs of buildings and grounds. By contrast, New York State provides substantial aid for capital projects, enabling the District to make significant improvements to facilities in a fiscally responsible and cost-effective manner.
Question: Will taxpayers be paying for this roof for the next 30 years?
Answer: No. This small capital project will be bonded over 15 years. The roof, however, does have a 30-year warranty, so the roof will be warranted well after it is completely paid for. By paying off the project through property taxes, the timeline for the project’s cost is spread over time, and allows the project to be fiscally responsible.
Question: Why is the district putting this project before the voters in November instead of another time of year?
Answer: Approving the project in November allows the District to submit required materials to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in a timely manner, enabling us to advertise for bids during the winter when roofing contractors are scheduling their spring projects. This timing increases our likelihood of receiving the most competitive pricing and ensures the work can begin as soon as the weather permits.
Question: Why isn’t the district relying on reserves to fund this project?
Answer: There currently is not enough money in the reserves to eliminate the local impact of the project. In fact, the facilities (capital) reserves were at a zero balance until this past September. Not having funds in these reserves leaves the district in a vulnerable state, should emergencies (water, septic failure, heating failures) occur.
It is also important that we plan for the future. We know that NYS has mandated electric buses and maximum school temperatures. These mandates may require modification of facilities that may be aided at a lower ratio.
Question: What if the capital project is voted down?
Answer: A “no” vote on the capital project would have real consequences for our students. Continued roof leaks not only create safety hazards for students and staff but also risk further damage to our buildings. Addressing these emergencies would require using general fund dollars, directly taking resources away from classrooms and programs. In other words, essential learning opportunities, enrichment activities, and student services could be reduced or eliminated—all for issues that could have been prevented with this project. Approving the project helps protect both the safety of our schools and the quality of education we provide.
BKW First Graders Move into Newly Renovated Classroom Space
BKW first graders in their newly renovated classroom space, a part of the district capital improvement project at the elementary and secondary schools. Thank you, community, for your support!
BKW Capital Project – Back to School Update
Work continued on the district’s capital project to repair, upgrade, and modernize the Elementary and Secondary schools throughout the duration of the project. As BKW prepared for the start of the school year, the top priority remained ensuring the safety and security of all who learned, worked, and visited our schools.
The district’s general construction contractor notified us of temporary conditions that, while they did not impact the opening or daily operation of school, existed on campus during that time. The following was an update on project items that were addressed during those months.
Site Work/Exterior Areas
- Parking and Paving: Parking areas were paved with a base layer, followed by a finished top layer the following summer to ensure all lots remained uniform.
- Drainage: During the construction phase, stormwater drainage was monitored and addressed as needed, particularly during the winter months, until all catch basins were fully integrated.
- Lot Transitions: The temporary transition between the Secondary and Elementary school lots was managed for the duration of the school year. The pavement grade was subsequently lowered as part of the bus loop and visitor lot work.
- Lighting and Masonry: Work was completed on seat walls, light poles, and bollard lights to enhance campus safety and aesthetics.
- Railings: Temporary metal stair railings were utilized during the transition period and were later replaced by permanent, final railings.
- Landscaping: Professional landscaping work was performed to restore and enhance the campus grounds following the completion of heavy construction.
Auditorium/Gym Lobby
- Partitions: A temporary partition was set up to allow for the completion of the addition’s exterior walls and woodwork.
- Heating: Work continued on ceiling-mounted heating units throughout the project phase.
- Flooring: Flooring was installed and finished following the completion of the exterior curved wall.
Second Floor
- Climate Control: A unit ventilator for the online learning room (230A) was installed following its delivery.
- Breakout Room: The exterior wall of the breakout room remained temporarily closed until windows were received and installed.
- Finishing: Wall finishing was completed once the permanent windows were in place.
- Laptop Lab and Flex Space: Sound-mitigating acoustical blades were integrated into the space, and flooring was finished during that season.
- Windows: Temporary exterior and interior windows were utilized and subsequently replaced with permanent fixtures.
Main Office
- Exterior Work: Work concluded on the exterior windows.
- Entrance: The existing entrance vestibule doors remained in use until the new, permanent doors were installed.
- Reception: A temporary short wall and reception counter were utilized to maintain operations during the transition.
According to the district’s general contractor, the BKW capital project progressed in a manner typical of most school construction projects. As planned, work was performed outside of regular school hours so as not to disrupt student learning.
The capital project was approved by district voters in November 2017, and plans received final approval from the New York State Education Department in March 2019. All phases of the project were successfully completed and integrated into the campus facilities.
View some photos of the Capital Project on Facebook.
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?
Prior to these improvements, the boilers and steam heating system in the Elementary School had been in service for more than 60 years. To provide a more efficient and reliable environment for students, construction crews worked after school hours to install a modern heating system and enhance elementary learning spaces.
A critical component of this phase was maintaining consistent air temperatures throughout the school. While the new system was being installed, the district utilized temporary heating solutions to ensure classrooms remained comfortable for students and staff. Occupancy of the renovated rooms was resumed following the completion of the installation, and the new high school entrance was completed as part of this project phase.
This work was part of the broader capital project approved by district voters in November 2017, with all major construction concluding by the end of 2020.