Our School, Our Community

May 5, 2025 Update

We would first like to say thank you to our staff and students for being flexible, with the work underway in our Jr./Sr. High School wing of the school building. As we move forward with work on the “Our School, Our Community” capital project approved by voters in December 2022, we aim to provide our school community with an update on the first Monday of each month.

Renovations to restrooms are ongoing, with work currently focused on the 2nd floor. Bathroom layouts are being updated with individual, single-occupancy restrooms with floor-to-ceiling doors. These restrooms are within individual male and female spaces. They are similar to restrooms found in a Stewart’s shop, with a toilet and a sink. When work is complete on the 2nd floor, the renovations will move to the 1st floor restrooms.

Last summer was the first phase of the $17.8 million project, and aside from the construction of the new concession stand/public restroom building, there wasn’t much that was readily visible to the public. Much of the work was related to roof renovations and HVAC upgrades. The second phase of the project is underway and more of this work will be readily visible to the school community.

Playgrounds will be under construction this summer and the upgrades will include a basketball court, two pickleball courts and two mini-athletic fields within the playground space. An improved, artificial turf service will be added, along with all new playground equipment.

A new generator also set for installation this summer will provide a substantial boost to the district’s emergency electricity capacity and would position the school as an emergency shelter for area residents, while allowing the district to continue educating students during power outages.

In the Jr./Sr. High School gymnasium, a new partition wall and new wall mats will be installed this summer, and the gym floor is set for its first sanding and refinishing. Bleachers will also be refurbished.

While work is complete on the concession stand building and restrooms are now open, there is still some work remaining on the chlorination system in order to obtain Department of Health approval to fully open. We expect to have that soon.

We are excited to provide you these updates as this important work is underway and we expect more components of the capital project to start when school concludes next month.

Project Approved by Voters

As Unadilla Valley CSD approached its 20th anniversary of the opening of its Pre-K through Grade 12 school building, a capital project was approved that will help shore the building up for decades to come.

District residents approved the $17.8 million project during a vote on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. The project is expected to be budget neutral, with no anticipated impact on the tax levy.

About half of the cost of the proposed project will be devoted to roof and HVAC work that will complete a staged, building-wide overhaul that began in 2015. A modernized roof and HVAC system will ensure the school building is safe, comfortable and energy efficient for many years to come.

In addition to brick and mortar work on the school building, the project is also designed to enhance the school community’s experience on the district’s playgrounds and playing field amenities.

A new generator would provide a substantial boost to the district’s emergency electricity capacity and would position the school as an emergency shelter for area residents, while allowing the district to continue educating students during power outages.

Public restrooms to replace portable toilets; team rooms; and a concession building are intended to help create a better student-athlete and community experience at our athletics facilities. New wayfinding signage is intended to make navigating our campus easier. The proposed project was guided by the UV Facilities Committee, which consists of school administrators, faculty and staff, the Board of Education and community members. The Committee has met regularly this year with architects to match the scope of the project with the district’s needs.

The timing of the vote in December 2022 allows the project to move forward to the design phase, New York State Education Department review and competitive bidding process early next year.

The Unadilla Valley school building opened its doors during the 2002-03 school year and after a merger of the former New Berlin and South New Berlin school districts in 1996.

Capital Project: Overview of Individual Items Included in the Scope

The proposed scope of the project includes:

Public restrooms, team rooms and a concession building for the athletic fields

New plumbing and fixtures in locker rooms

Renovations of the main Secondary gym

Replacing an existing generator to increase capacity

Installing single stall restrooms

HVAC upgrades

Roof repairs in areas not covered under previous projects

Cafeteria equipment upgrades

Blue gym renovations

Playground replacements