BCSD Capital Project Information and Updates

Superintendent’s Corner February 2026: 

Proposed Capital Project Infrastructure & Priorities Overview Part 1 & Part 2

Dear BCSD Community: This month’s Superintendent’s Corner is broken into two episodes. 

In Part 1, Berlin CSD Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo takes the community on a tour of the district, highlighting the proposed Capital Project infrastructure priorities and speaking with staff members about the impact these priorities have on the day-to-day operation of the district. 

Superintendent’s Corner February 2026: Part 1 – https://youtu.be/l24FOg4aMrw

In Part 2, Superintendent Rizzo sits down with Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Mr. Cyril Grant and School Business Official Ms. Colleen Mills to discuss the critical scope of the project, from the history of the infrastructure to the financial planning and proposed budget. 

Superintendent’s Corner February 2026: Part 2 – https://youtu.be/qrHycoaTMqc

The Board of Education thanks the community for their essential feedback and questions and encourages the community to attend its next meeting on February 24, 2026, at 7:15 pm in the Berlin Middle High School Auditorium, where the survey responses will be discussed by the board and survey questions addressed through a presentation by Mr. Rizzo and Mr. Jim Graham, Principal Architect at Synthesis.

We hope you will take the time to watch the Superintendent’s Corner and attend the February 24th board meeting to learn more about the proposed improvements across the district. 

Stay up to date with the latest news regarding the proposed project on the district’s Capital Project page https://berlincentral.org/capital-project/ and tune in for more opportunities for continued dialogue and engagement.

2026 Capital Project Survey

Survey closed February 4, 2026

Dear Berlin Central School District Community,

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Berlin CSD community voters will have the opportunity to authorize a new $9,450,000 million Capital Improvement for the Berlin Central School District. Broken into two propositions, the bond supports critical infrastructure improvements for Berlin CSD buildings and grounds. 

The proposed 2026 Capital Project focuses work for Safety and Infrastructure in 

• • Proposition #1 – Critical Infrastructure – $6,350,000 
    • Capital Reserves –  $1,045,523
    • Estimated Impact Of Levy  – 0.575%
    • Estimated Yearly Impact per $100,000 – $6.10 per year (full assessed value)

• Proposition #2 and Additional Priorities – $3,100,000

• • • Capital Reserves – $0
    • Estimated Impact Of Levy – 0.784%
    • Estimated Yearly Impact per $100,000 – $8.30 per year (full assessed value)

• Proposition #1 & #2 Total Capital Project Referendum Budget  – $9,450,000 

• • • Total Capital Reserves – $1,045,523 
    • NYSED Building Aid Ratio – 75.4%  
    • Total Estimated Impact Of Levy – 1.358% 
    • Total Estimated Yearly Impact per $100,000 – $14.40 per year (full assessed value)

Please note: Proposition #1 MUST pass for Proposition #2 to pass.

The presented scope is fully aidable by the NYSED at the District’s NYSED Building Aid Ratio: 75.4%. The reconstruction project is aided over 15 years.

BCSD is asking the community to review the information provided in the SURVEY and share your feedback. This survey will be open through February 4, 2026. 

The February 24, 2026, BOE Capital Project Community Presentation will be a Q&A session with survey results shared and stakeholders input and feedback discussed. 

Please find additional Capital Project information below.

2026 Capital Project Survey

January 20, 2026 Capital Project Referendum Scope and Budget Summary

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January 20, 2026 Board of Education Meeting Recording

(Capital Project Update time stamp at 21:23)

January 13, 2026 Capital Project Workshop Information 

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BOE Capital Project Workshop Part 1

BOE Capital Project Workshop Part 2

Information for Capital Project Vote on March 17, 2026

• Capital Project Early Voting Information
• Capital Project Information for Absentee Ballots
• What is a Qualified Voter

Please find a letter from Berlin CSD Superintendent, Mr. Ken Rizzo, regarding the preliminary Capital Project presentation from the December 16, 2025, Board of Education meeting, addressing the district’s most pressing infrastructure needs. Find Superintendent Rizzo’s full letter and more details below. This letter was emailed home to all families on December 17, 2025.

December 17, 2025

Dear Berlin CSD Families, Staff, and Community Stakeholders: 

I am writing to spotlight the Capital Project presentation from the December 16, 2025 Board of Education meeting. In September, the district began a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to search for an architectural firm that would assess the condition of our facilities and lead a potential Capital Project to address our most pressing infrastructure needs. Three architectural companies were selected for interviews at the November 13, 2025 BOE meeting.  The district ultimately agreed on Synthesis Architects as the firm of record to lead this important work. If you were not able to tune in, please check out the Capital Project Introductory presentation from Synthesis during the December 16, 2025  BOE Meeting. Please note that planning for the project is still in the early stages – this is just a general overview of what the project might look like. 

Community and stakeholder feedback are essential for a successful project.  I encourage you to share your perspective and get involved. Below you will find a timeline of the Capital Project planning process, which holds multiple opportunities for community engagement and stakeholder feedback. 

• Special Board of Education Workshop Meeting on January 13, 2026, 6:30 pm at the Berlin MS/HS for Capital Project scoping. 
• January 20th, BOE Meeting for Capital Project Resolution, to further discuss scope and budget. On January 21st, a districtwide Capital Project Community Survey will be shared electronically through School Messenger. The survey will be open for feedback through February 4, 2026.  QR codes and hard copies of the survey will also be available at our district’s local libraries for greater community feedback.
• February 24, 2026, BOE Capital Project Community Presentation. This will be a Q&A session with survey results shared and stakeholders input and feedback discussed. 

While the detailed scope and financial implications are still being worked out, the goal is to keep the burden on taxpayers as minimal as possible while addressing critical infrastructure needs required to maintain a safe and operational learning environment for students and staff. Much more information will be shared as the project is developed and fiscal information becomes clearer.  Please be on the lookout for additional communications. 

I appreciate the community’s engagement and support during the planning phase of this process. Your partnership is crucial to the success of the district and every student. 

Sincerely,

Ken Rizzo
Superintendent of Schools 

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Archived Capital Project Updates

BCSD Capital Project Blog

Capital Project News Archives

• Spring 2020 Capital Project Update
• Capital Project Update 9.23.19
• Fall 2019 Capital Improvement Projects Photo Album
• Berlin residents approve Capital Project
• 2 Capital Projects To Go Before Voters – Eastwick Press
• Public Meeting Dates Set For Capital Projects
• Capital Project Newsletter
• Capital Project  Video
• 2018 Capital Project Presentation