District updates summer capital projects; bids largely match referendum budget

Architects and construction managers provided the Katonah‑Lewisboro Union Free School District board a status update on May 23, saying multiple school renovation and addition projects will move into summer construction and that early bid results align closely with the referendum budget.

The district’s architect, Walter Hauser of KG and D Architects, told the board that eight projects were submitted to the State Education Department and that all projects — including the high‑school work — have now been approved. "As we track them through the first five buildings we are within 1 percent of the pre referendum or the approved budget," Hauser said, adding that awards to date are about $482,000 below the original budget for work that has been awarded so far.

Why it matters: close alignment between bids and the referendum figures reduces the risk of immediate additional budget requests and helps preserve the project scope approved by voters. The board's facilities team also described how the savings and tight bid results were allocated by building and trade.

What’s coming this summer: presenters outlined work across multiple schools. At the middle school the district will complete targeted window replacements and build an inclusive playground connected to the auditorium, with rubber surfacing, turf and new plantings. Increase Miller Elementary will receive a classroom addition (three large ~900‑sq‑ft classrooms), new small‑group instruction rooms, a reworked security vestibule, HVAC upgrades to wing spaces, a new library and STREAM lab, and upgraded electrical service. Meadow Pond’s work includes vestibule security improvements, targeted window replacements, a STREAM lab and air conditioning for wing/collaborative spaces.

Construction logistics: Triton Construction introduced on‑site manager Frank Otorre and said this summer crews will install fencing, store materials on site, stage portable toilets and coordinate closely with building administration to minimize disruption. Triton noted that some materials (for example, windows) will be staged in secure containers prior to installation.

Permitting and schedule risks: presenters said the SED permitting phase took longer than expected — roughly 26–28 weeks instead of the anticipated six — and that the district has now largely moved out of the permitting phase and into bidding and construction. Board members asked about air‑conditioning plans; project staff said wing spaces will be conditioned for collaborative use but conventional classroom spaces will remain unconditioned except where specifically noted in the Increase Miller scope.

What the board will do next: facilities committee members and administration will continue to oversee contract awards and construction staging. Presenters said schedules for middle‑ and high‑school work will be set shortly; the board expressed appreciation for the renderings and asked to stay informed about traffic, staging and safety during construction.