Bond Vote

Please click here to view a video on the church history. 

Click here to view the Bond Webinar in English. 

Click here to view the Bond Webinar in Spanish. 

Click here to view our Bond Vote Newsletter.

Click here to view our Bond Vote Video.

June 12, 2024 - Facilities Update, Facilities Presentation, Facilities Presentation 2

June 5, 2024- Our Mission, Vision and Plan 

February 28, 2024 - FAC Meeting Presentation by Consultants

January 17, 2024 Facilities Update Presentation with Survey Overview and Traffic Study 

December 13, 2023- Facilities Update 

November 15, 2023 - Facilities Presentation 

October 4, 2023 - Bond Financing Strategy

October 4, 2023 - Vision 2030 Facility Master Planning for the Ossining Schools

September 27, 2023 - Equity: Culture of Care

September 12, 2023 - Source of Funding and Timeline - SMART Bond

May 9, 2023 Presentation to the Board of Education 

December 14, 2022 Presentation to the Board of Education 

October 12, 2022 Presentation to the Board of Education 

September 7, 2022 Presentation to the Board of Education 

Why is the district proposing a Bond Referendum, rather than paying for school improvements through the annual budget? Large scale school building improvement projects are costly and cannot be funded out of the annual budget. Using a bond spreads the cost over a long period of time and achieves two goals: it allows the work to be completed in a relatively short period of time while receiving State Aid payments over the life of the bond to support paying the District’s debt.

How did the district determine the composition of this project? First, through an evaluation of our learning environments based upon space constraints, curricular alignment, support spaces, common areas, and human traffic flow/safety. The second evaluation was made through a BCS (Building Conditions Survey) , a regular requirement for submission to the State. This survey, conducted by our architects, identifies and rates the condition of all our facilities, thus providing a general checklist of work to be performed over time. A good portion of that work is addressed through the construction of both a new building for grades 7-8 and the work at OHS.

How is the decision to create this plan impacted by the district’s strategic planning and future considerations over issues like enrollment, housing, and affordability? This plan is focused on resolving our current space needs and considers the instructional needs of our Ossining students. A new 7-8 school addresses the current AMD space challenges while at the same time provides resources and dedicated learning spaces for secondary content areas, particularly in STEM. Similarly, at the high school, we will resolve numerous space and safety issues, provide new dedicated STEAM and STEM spaces, renovated music classrooms, space for lunch and give our educators and students the support spaces for learning.

How does this project improve the experiences of students and staff? At the secondary level, classroom utilization rates are 100-107%.  Lunchroom spaces cannot support our students without compromises to the scheduling of meals and the space where students can eat their lunch.  K-12 spaces for related and special services and support are currently held in temporary areas, hallways and stages. Instructionally, we can look at how improved common areas, the integration of technology, and more space can improve the learning experience. 

How is it possible to do $210 million of construction without it increasing taxes? Our financial consultants, who are working with district representatives, our architect, and our construction manager, have formulated a plan to utilize our NYS aid, State Education Department rules, our reserves and our annual budget.  This approach allows the district to undergo a$210 million of construction without an increase to the tax levy.  

How is construction pricing determined? All public works projects like this are publicly bid and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder through multiple contracts, some of which are required by law to be split out (for example, electrical or plumbing) and others that are covered under a general construction contract. Our architects and construction managers build a budget that reflects the regional cost of school construction and makes reasonable assumptions for project contingencies, the time frame for construction, general conditions, and fees.

How would the construction schedule be determined? If the project is approved in September, we will then begin the design development process that precedes the State Education Department approval process. Some work may begin in the summer of 2025, but the full scope of work wouldn’t likely begin in earnest until the summer of 2026. 

What will the impact to students and staff be? A team of district leaders, working with our architect and construction manager, will be responsible for drafting a safety plan that documents when/if student displacement will occur and what the schedule will look like. 

What is the status of the church?

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)  review is taking place, which must occur relative to the Rectory that is adjacent to the Church, which is to be the new location for the three-story Classroom Addition. 

After the District purchased the building it was decided as a team to include the renovation to the building in the proposed scope of work for the upcoming Bond Project. 

Hazardous material abatement has been completed in the Church so that the design team could get into the building to do their field measurements and observations as part of the design process. 

The proposed renovation to the Church includes a new two-story Theater/Dance performance space with balcony seating that includes the original Church Organ as a focal point.  In addition, there will be new classrooms and support spaces in the Church and it will be connected to a three-story classroom addition that also serves as a physical connection from the Church to Ossining High School for better overall circulation.

Letter from Mary Fox-Alter June 17, 2024

Letter from Board of Education

December 7th letter regarding Facilities meetings at schools and Facilities survey

December 2023 Facilities Webinar

Letter from Board of Education July 29, 2024

To be eligible to vote in any Ossining Union Free School District election, budget vote, or referendum, residents of the School District must be:  (1) at least 18 years of age; (2) be a United States citizen; and (3) reside within the District for at least 30 days prior to the date of the vote, and must be registered to vote.  The last day to register to vote is Thursday, September 19, 2024.  

Any person who resides in the Ossining Union Free School District must be registered.  If you are registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections, you are eligible to vote at the Annual District Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections and you do not have to register separately with the School District.  If you prefer to register with the District, the Ossining Union Free School District has ongoing, personal registration.  

If you are unsure whether you are registered for general elections with the County, you can check your status - Click here to find out if you are registered with the Board of Elections.  If you need to update your name or address with the Board of Elections, please contact them directly at Westchester County Board of Elections or by phone at 914-995-2000. Forms are also available online.  

If you are not registered, you may register in one of the following ways:

1.  Register with the Westchester County Board of Elections using the New York State Voter Registration Form which can be found on their website.  Return your completed form to the Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY  10601.

2.  You may file an online application with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

3.  The Ossining Union Free School District has ongoing personal registration.  You may register in person in the Main Office of each of our school buildings (during school hours only) or at the Office of the District Clerk, by appointment. 

Early Mail Ballot English

Early Mail Ballot Spanish

Absentee Ballot Application and Instructions English

Absentee Ballot Application and Instructions Spanish