Voters Pave Way for $159 Capital Project

By Lisa Ramirez, CCA Director of Communication

When Orange County voters approved a $159 million capital project to improve and renovate Orange/Ulster BOCES campuses, they not only ensured safe and appropriate space for students, but also paved the way for hundreds of construction jobs.

Voters approved the project by a slim margin — unofficial totals were 2,350 to 2,240 — and it’s likely that an energetic “Get Out the Vote” campaign spearheaded by the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council helped tip the outcome.

The construction and renovations to the three Goshen campuses are expected to begin in 2024 and include the addition of instructional areas, infrastructure upgrades, and the renovation of out-of-date learning and support environments. These upgraded facilities will enable educators to better prepare students for college and careers, including in the construction trades with programs such as carpentry, electrical construction technology, HVAC/plumbing and welding.

Additional programs offered by Orange/Ulster BOCES include an array of CTEC options vital to the local workforce, such as cosmetology, automotive, culinary, and heavy equipment, plus health, security, STEM, visual arts career academies and more. Students from component school districts in Orange and Ulster counties can attend, and many graduate ready to enter the workforce.

In addition the Division of Special Education provides specialized instruction for children with needs that cannot be supported in their home school districts, and there are Adult Education programs.

The Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council (HVBCT), which represents nearly 30 local unions, leveraged the power of its membership, launched a get-out-the-vote effort that included mailings and social media. The project’s $159 million budget and the anticipated Project Labor Agreement means years of work for local skilled labor.

“Please get out and vote,” urged Dean Tamburri of LIUNA / Laborers Local 17 in a social media video message posted the morning of Oct. 25, the day of the vote. “Tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell your family that this is a very important vote for the construction industry.”

The scope of the project was determined by a Building Condition Survey (BCS), which identified significant areas of need across the three campuses. New York State requires all school districts to perform a BCS at least every five years.

The goal of the upgrades are to reflect the environment of today’s workplaces and educational settings, thus better equipping students for career success. That, and the work will enhance the health and safety of everyone who works and learns on the campuses. For example, the HVAC updates will improve air quality and circulation in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis, and new security stations and entrance controls fortify safety and security capabilities.

What is a Building Condition Survey?

A Building Condition Survey (BTS) is an assessment of the physical, mechanical and electrical condition of the buildings, systems and external areas within a “school estate.”

The BTS provides objective information about the condition of buildings and helps maintain a safer, more conducive learning and working environment for students and staff. A BTS and the work identified and performed also protects the community’s investment in its school facilities.

The New York State Education Department requires all public school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York complete a Building Condition Survey for occupied public school buildings every five year, at minimum.