Board accepts DASNY grants: $51,000 for CHS scoreboards and $100,000 for inclusive playgrounds

The Carmel Central School District Board on May 26 accepted two awards administered through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

A $51,000 DASNY scoreboard replacement grant, originally secured with the assistance of Sen. Pete Harckham, will fully fund new scoreboards for the Carmel High School baseball and softball fields; the state-approved vendor is Phillips Sport LLC (ED contract 12533), the board was told. Board members thanked the senator and district staff for coordinating DASNY procurement and approvals.

Separately, the board accepted a $100,000 DASNY grant for inclusive playground equipment. The award covers procurement and installation of accessible playground components at Matthew Paterson Elementary School and Kent Primary ($50,000 each). The state-approved vendor named in the resolution is Kompan Playgrounds Inc. Trustees confirmed the grant amount will fully cover the projects as described and discussed equity across elementary sites.

Board and community remarks highlighted long-running local advocacy and administrative work to secure the funding. "Getting this to happen took an inordinate amount of collaboration and work with Senator Harckham's office and central administration," a trustee said, and Marie Camacho and other local volunteers were thanked for grant-writing and follow-through.

What the grants cover
- Scoreboard grant: $51,000 total; vendor Phillips Sport LLC (ED contract 12533); intended to replace baseball and softball scoreboards at Carmel High School.
- Inclusive playground grant: $100,000 total; Kompan Playgrounds Inc. selected via state contract; funds split $50,000 at Matthew Paterson Elementary and $50,000 at Kent Primary to add adaptive equipment and inclusive features.

Next steps
District staff will coordinate vendor procurement and project scheduling under DASNYontract oversight; trustees asked that the administration continue to monitor equitable distribution of playground resources across district elementary sites.

Proper names and authorities referenced in the board resolutions include DASNY, Sen. Pete Harckham, Phillips Sport LLC (ED contract 12533) and Kompan Playgrounds Inc., all listed in the board materials.