Croton-Harmon Offers Virtual School Tours Before Project Vote

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — Voters in the Croton Harmon school district will go to the polls Dec. 13 to weigh in on a $45.5 million proposal from the Board of Education to address health and safety issues, preserve properties and re-align learning spaces for the 21st century.

The proposed project includes interior and exterior alterations to all three school buildings, the District Office, and the Transportation Facility.

• An addition is proposed at Croton-Harmon High School in the rear of the music room and auditorium to house a new stair and elevator. A minor addition at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School will expand the kitchen's refrigerated storage capacity.
• A new field would replace to the district's existing competition field (at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School). This facility will include artificial turf, new track, bleachers, press box, competition lighting, and concession stand.
• Additionally, high-priority infrastructure improvements will occur at all three schools, the District Office, and the Transportation Office.

District officials, who have held many workshops and presentations on the proposal, are also offering residents a chance to take a virtual "tour" of the plans for Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School and Croton-Harmon High School.

• Croton-Harmon High School
• PVC Middle School

Officials said the district is in an ideal position to leverage state building aid with declining debt to minimize the impact on the community, making the proposal "tax neutral."

"With the combination of state aid, $2.5 million from reserves and payments timed to start when existing debt retires in 2024, residents will not see a tax increase as a result of this bond," officials said.

If the project were approved, it would take about a year to get the designs approved by the state Education Department. Construction would take place 2024-26.

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You may register in person with Tracey Borges, the School District Clerk, Croton-Harmon School District Office, 10 Gerstein Street New York, 10520 (914-271-4713 x4202) during regular business hours, up to five days before the vote. A special registration session will be held at the District Office from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. The last day to register to vote with the Board of Elections is Thursday.

You may download and print a voter registration form from the Westchester County Board of Elections website.

Absentee ballot applications are available from the District Clerk at the District Office during regular business hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) or by downloading the application.

In addition, this year anyone with concerns related to COVID-19 is eligible to vote by
absentee ballot and can request an application for an absentee ballot from the district clerk
by emailing tracey.borges@chufsd.org.

Absentee ballot applications should be submitted in original form, with the original signature, at least seven days before the vote if the ballot will be mailed to the voter and by the day before the vote if the ballot will be personally picked up by the voter.

Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the vote to be counted.

Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Croton-Harmon High School.