Carmel Schools May Use Capital Funds To Improve Bus Lot

Carmel school buses currently park in a lot that is partially mud and dirt, at Kent Elementary School.

By Holly Crocco

The Carmel Central School District is considering putting a transportation capital reserve project before voters in May, which would renovate the bus lot currently in use at Kent Elementary School – at no cost to taxpayers..

According to Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin, the district is seeking to use between $2 million and $2.5 million in capital reserves to invest in improved safety and efficiency at the site.

“As many of you know, over the last decade or so, a lot has been spoken about the bus garage and what the needs of that are, and we found a way to address this that would be done in a tax-neutral way,” he said following a Feb. 14 public forum, in which about 30 people came out to view the space and learn about the project.

At the current site, what pavement does exist is uneven and broken. “A majority of this facility’s outdoor space is mud, potholes, and divots,” said Plotkin. “This leads to a lot of problem with safety and efficiency,” and makes snow plowing and weather-related cleanup difficult.

“The proposal will address these concerns and make sure we have a much improved facility to provide transportation for our students and a safe work environment for our employees,” he said.

According to the superintendent, proactive planning such as paving and reconfiguration of the site will save the district money over time and secure the facility so there is no interruption or delays in the transportation of students to and from school.

“We also think that by increasing the lot size and the area that is paved, we will optimize the space and definitely enhance vehicle maintenance,” he said. “Right now, the bottoms of our vehicles are more quickly rotting out” because they are sitting on dirt.

Plotkin reiterated that this project can be done using only reserves and with zero tax impact.

Simultaneously, it will improve traffic flow, provide a secure facility for students and staff, optimize space and vehicle maintenance for reliable service, and create a forward-thinking infrastructure plan for long-term district needs, he said. This includes safer ingress and egress at the lot, new fencing, and controlled access points – protecting district assets and ensuring site security.

Additionally, it will not impact learning spaces or parking, the athletics fields, playground, or other outdoor spaces used by students and the community at Kent Elementary School.

According to Plotkin, the plan moves the buses further from the school, further from the property line (to be a good neighbor), and creates a larger paved area with proper drainage.

“This is about taking what we have and making it better, and also preparing this for the future in case any other additional needs should emerge,” he said.

The use of district capital funds has to be approved by voters, and the proposition is expected to be part of the May school budget vote.

Plotkin said the next step in the process is to collaborate with architects, file necessary paperwork with the New York State Education Department, share updated project details with the public, then put it to a vote. If it is approved, work is expected to begin in the summer of 2027.

“We are excited about this project because we feel that for the amount we will spend, we will have a maximum impact on the efficiency and operational abilities of our transportation department,” said Plotkin. “We will add longer life to our buses and provide a safer work environment for our workers.”

Residents are asked to share their thoughts and comments via a three-question survey by March 6, at www.carmelschools.org (click on the superintendent’s message). So far, about 72 percent of respondents have said they would likely vote in favor of the project.

During the Feb. 24 Carmel School Board meeting, Plotkin said some respondents wrote comments such as, “If you can’t buy a whole new yard for the buses, this is a great way.”

However, the prevalent comment theme was: “This is long overdue. This seems like a cost-effective way to approach the persistent challenge for this site,” according to the superintendent.

Board Vice President John Curzio II noted that the audit committee will be meeting this month to vote either favorably or against the proposal.

“This is a very, very different project than what was attempted or undertaken a decade ago,” he said. “It is not seeking to build any new buildings at the site or renovate any new buildings at the site. It is not seeking to purchase any land.”

According to Assistant Superintendent for Business, Operations, and Human Resources Ken Silver, approvals are still needed for the sale of land on the property just south of the complex – which was proposed to house a new transportation facility but voted down in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The sale is expected to soon be final.

“We need this to happen,” he said of the sale. “It reduces our expenses until 2037, and it brings a sizeable amount of cash ($300,000) to us at the closing itself… So this is pretty important.”

Further, Silver explained that the reserve fund was established in 2015, with the belief that the money would be used by now. It has $3.2 million in it, which “can only be sued for capital projects.” Lastly, the proposed project is eligible for state aid, so the district will get 60 percent back over 15 years.