Gone will be the days of eating lunch in hallways, stairwells, and classrooms – at least, that’s what the architects behind the Haldane Capital Project advertise. 

On November 19, the tax-paying members of our community will vote on whether or not to approve Haldane’s 2024 Capital Project. The plan would cost taxpayers 27.4 million dollars total, paid by a graduated tax increase that will reach 6.95% after three years. 

The project includes a multiyear renovation of the main building and the high school. The plan is split roughly into three parts: first, some long overdue renovations to the high school and main building, including full school air conditioning, new office spaces, and security features, such as a bullet-proof vestibule around the front desk. Second, the plan would consolidate most of the classes into the high school building, completely removing student use of the Mabel Merritt Building and relocating the chorus and art classes to the high school. Third, it would create new spaces for students in the form of the STEAM Innovation Lab/Woodshop, and a large octagonal multi-purpose space dubbed the “Student Center,” both of which would be located in the high school. The Student Center would be a space for students to gather, replacing the current norm of chairs and tables in the hallways. Some proposed uses for the Student Center include large group testing like the SAT, collaborative and group work, assemblies, and fundraisers, as well as a space for high school students to eat lunch. 

The Haldane Board of Education believes the inadequacy of the current facilities has been hindering students’ education and learning potential. At the October 1 Board meeting, Trustee Ezra Clementson remarked, “We’re not doing enough to aid the good work being done here [at Haldane].” Trustee Sean McNall added, “We don’t want to provide a wonderful education despite the circumstances.” 

Our school social worker, Scott Many, believes the proposed renovations will make his office space more welcoming for students. His current room is in a former staff bathroom, and students heading there for support have to contend with those going to the adjacent boy’s bathroom. If the current plan passes, he– as well as the guidance counselors, school psychiatrist, and dean of students– will be relocated to a dedicated space with natural light and better soundproofing. “[The proposed plan] creates that barrier that I don’t have right now between the bathroom and my front door.” Many said. “It would still protect kids’ privacy while also giving them light and things that are good for their social and emotional well-being.”

If the proposal does pass, the earliest construction could begin would be the summer of 2027, according to CSArch architects involved in the project. This means that the only high school students who would see construction would be the current freshmen, and that the class of 2030 would be the first to enjoy the major renovations. But this doesn’t mean that older students are opposed. Freshman Scout Thakur de Beer, who would be a senior when construction is proposed to begin, said, “I think it’s a good idea and that the current classes can suck it up.” Sophomore Lela Gurvich-Andrews said, “I think it’s great that Haldane is evolving and accommodating the needs of teachers and students for a more comfortable school life.” Senior Louis Ferreira, whose relatives are on their way to high school, agrees. “For me, there is a great lamentation that I would never get to experience as a student,” He said. “Having access to all of those facilities would be genuinely amazing. Having access to dedicated guidance areas, that’s great!” He continued, “I do know, and I feel great knowing, that other people will benefit if this does come into action.” However, Ferreira did have some concerns about the funding of the project. He said, “I’m one of the people who goes to Haldane and also lives in the local town of Cold Spring, meaning that [the new taxes] will affect [my family] even though I don’t directly benefit. So, it’s something that does pain me.” He continued, “But I still feel that this is something, ultimately, that it’s better for everybody if it does happen. The generations, the future, all that stuff, …I only want the best for the students of the future. And I want the best for Haldane, I guess, by an extension of it.” 

While the plan addresses most of the pressing issues facing the school, it doesn’t address all of them. Something that’s almost conspicuously missing from the plan is a nurse’s office in the high school. Currently, students must walk down to the nurse’s office in the main building when they need medical attention. When senior Ivan Antonio fainted in Spanish class, he had to walk all the way down the hill and into the Main Building to see the nurse. He said that having a nurse’s office in the High School “would be very convenient for the high school students and very useful in case of any emergency.” The plan also falls short of its goal of creating a self-contained high school, as students would still need to travel to the main building for band, gym, and hot school lunches. 

Despite some of its shortcomings, the 2024 Capital Project offers a look into one of the bright potential futures for Haldane, if the bond passes. While the current high school classes won’t be around to see most of the project implemented, the kindergarten class of 2036 may never have to go to the social worker’s office ensconced next to the bathroom or eat lunch in stairwells and hallways. Students will just have to wait and see.