Voters in the Rensselaer City School District have approved a significant capital project that will invest nearly $29 million into critical renovations, repairs, and improvements to district facilities. Below are updates and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the project.

 

Updates

RCSD Capital Project Update 03/2026: Detailed Capital Project Update

This project is scheduled to last through the summer of 2027. We worked with architects and contractors to try and minimize the inevitable disruption to our learning environment and operations. With that said, we will have several notable hurdles along the way.

1. We will be moving our VRES dismissal to the front bus loop instead of behind the building. Please do not park in that bus loop before or during dismissal. 
2. We will still be able to run our special education extended school year program and our JrSr High credit recovery program, but we will not have enough space to offer our VRES enrichment program in the summer of 2026. That would not allow our maintenance team to get our building ready for the 2026-27 school year.
3. We will need to vacate our middle school wing to start the 2026-27 school year.  This will allow for construction to continue on that part of the building during the fall of 2026. Our team has put together a plan that utilizes the space in the rest of the building as efficiently as we can to make this happen. With that said, we still don’t have quite enough room to get it all done here, so we are still working with our 7th grade team to finalize a plan for those students to have a designated team space at Doane Stuart. Our 7th graders will begin and end the day with specials here at our building and will be transported to Doane for the instructional block and lunch. More details will be provided to that grade level as they are finalized.
4. As the middle school wing construction is wrapped up, portions of the high school wing will be relocated into that space to allow for construction to continue. This will require some dedicated time for our staff, so when we understand that timeline better, we will schedule early release days to facilitate the move.

We know that this will certainly inspire many questions. Our student body is on the forefront of those questions with an article and interview in our monthly Ramblurr.  

RCSD Capital Project Update 02/2026: Residing and Roof Replacement

Residing of the rear of the building and replacement of the roof has begun. While every effort will be made to limit disruption, there will be some noise as a result of contractors working on the roof.

 

RCSD Capital Project Update 01/2026: Solar Panel Replacement Complete

The removal and replacement of solar panels at RCSD is complete.

 

RCSD Capital Project Update 11/2025: Solar Panel Replacement Begins Nov. 17

The removal of solar panels at Rensselaer City School District is set to begin Nov. 17 as part of the ongoing capital project. While every effort will be made to limit disruption, there will be some noise as a result of contractors working on the roof.

 

RCSD Capital Project Update 10/2025: Solar Panel Replacement 

This fall, the Rensselaer City School District is beginning work on its latest capital project, starting with the replacement of solar paneling on school rooftops. This important upgrade will help our schools generate clean energy more efficiently, reduce energy costs, and support the district’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

 

FAQ’S

What is the purpose of the capital project?

The project aims to reconstruct, renovate, and improve district buildings to address long-term issues and create a safer, more functional learning environment for students and staff.

A primary focus of the project is to repair extensive water damage caused by poor construction nearly 20 years ago. Although the district explored the option of pursuing legal action against the original contractor, the statute of limitations had expired, leaving a capital project as the most viable and responsible path forward.

What is the total cost of the project?

The approved project totals approximately $28.8 million. Funding will be provided through:

• District Capital Reserves
• EXCEL Aid
• Bond with 85.7% State Aid

Will this project increase taxes?

No. The capital project is structured in a way that will not result in a tax increase for district residents. This was a key factor in building community support for the proposal.

What improvements are included?

The project will include:

• Address significant damage to the exterior walls and roof due to water infiltration
• Complete renovation of the entire building envelope
• Repair sidewalks due to uneven settling from water drainage issues

What was the outcome of the community vote?

Superintendent Joseph Kardash noted that during in-person voting at the school site, 73 voted yes and 14 voted no. He stated: "We had an overwhelming positive response. The fact is, this project won’t require us to raise taxes, which eased any community concerns."

What is the timeline for completion?

District's detailed proposal submitted to the New York State Education Department in the Spring of 2025 has been approved. The District is now working with its architects, engineers, and the construction manager to procure qualified vendors. Once the RFP process is complete and bids are awarded, demolition and construction will begin. Given the size of the capital project, construction will proceed in multiple phases. The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2027.

 

Who can I contact with questions?

For additional information or questions about the capital project, please contact:

Superintendent Joseph Kardash
Email: jkardash@rcsd.k12.ny.us
Phone: (518) 465-7509

Project updates will continue to be shared on the district website and through ParentSquare as progress is made.