Updated 9/10/26
Link: Additional answers to questions added on 9/10/26.
Link: Post your question or comment for the Superintendent, Building Committee and BOE to review. (Opens to a Google Form)
Questions and Answers from the August 31st, 2026 Board of Education Meeting
Summary: On Monday, August 31st, 2026, the Granville CSD Board of Education (BOE) voted to bring a Phase III Capital Project to a special mid-year vote.
Funding: The Phase III proposal is funded by approximately $4.5 million remaining from the 2024 Capital Project (Phases 1 and 2, which are currently underway) thanks to careful financial management. By law, capital project funds can be used exclusively for district buildings and grounds.
Upcoming Special Mid-Year Vote: A special mid-year vote date will be scheduled, announced and added to the live school calendar at GranvilleCSD.org (projected for late fall or early winter).
Scope of Phase III: The proposed Phase III action items were selected by the Board of Education Building Committee after reviewing feedback and wishlist items from district stakeholders.
Link: View the Phase III Building Committee Proposal (Opens to an image)
Link: Review 2024 Capital Project Details - (Opens to Granville CSD website page)
Link: View Board of Education Committee Appointments - (Opens to BOE Website)
Link: Post your question or comment for the Superintendent, Building Committee and BOE to review. (Opens to a Google Form)
Questions and Answers
The District is compiling questions and answers regarding the August 31st meeting and in advance of the next Board of Education Meeting on Monday, September 14th, 2026, at the Granville Jr/Sr High Library, at 6:00 p.m. Thank you.
Background Information:
1 - Has a synthetic turf field ever been presented to Granville Central School District voters as part of a public referendum, capital-project vote, or subsequent election?
A synthetic turf field has never been put on a voter ballot.
During a special public meeting on March 18, 2024, the Board of Education discussed whether to present options for a turf field and athletic field lighting to the voters.
The public was invited to share their opinions and ask questions.
The Board ultimately voted to put the lighting project on the ballot, but declined to move forward with the turf field option.
You can review the meeting details here: Here is the link to review the meeting.
On May 21, 2024, Granville Central School District voters considered the current capital project during the annual school district vote.
The results were:
Proposition for $27.9 million Capital Project
Yes 305
No 110
Result = $27.9 million capital project
$917,606 Proposition for Athletic-field Lighting
YES 228
NO 188
Result = Passed
2 - Can capital funds (from the capital project) be spent on teacher salaries, raises, or special education?
No. By law, Capital Reserve Funds are strictly dedicated to long-term physical improvements to our school buildings and grounds. They cannot be redirected to cover daily operational costs.
Allowed (Capital Expenses): Building renovations, roof repairs, safety and accessibility enhancements (such as adapting classrooms for special education needs), athletic fields, and associated engineering or architectural costs.
Not Allowed (Operating Expenses): Salaries, contractual raises, employee benefits, routine classroom supplies, and ongoing special education services (such as therapy, transportation, and specialized aides).
Operational costs are funded through the district’s annual operating budget. Because Granville’s Capital Reserve Fund was created specifically for capital improvements, the Board of Education cannot transfer these funds to cover operating expenses without voter authorization for a specific project.
3 - What does a “YES” vote mean for the proposed Phase III project.
The District would have authorization to proceed with the proposal presented on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Phase III would have a zero tax implication as it would be funded by a portion of the remaining 2024 capital project funds which can only be applied to buildings and grounds.
Link: View the Phase III Building Committee Proposal (Opens to an image)
4 - What does a "NO" vote mean for the proposed Phase III capital project?
A "no" vote means the District does not have authorization to move forward with the Phase III proposal as presented.
Key Takeaways of a "NO" Vote:
Project Status: Phase III is paused. The district cannot issue bonds, spend capital reserve funds on this proposal, or collect associated state building aid.
Financial Impact: Any projected financial expenditures (from the remaining 2024 capital project funds) tied to Phase III would not occur.
Facilities & Prior Votes: Existing fields and facilities remain in their current state under routine maintenance. Previously authorized projects, including the 2024 capital project and field lights, remain fully intact.
Ballot Flexibility: If the vote features separate propositions for individual items, voters can choose to approve some while rejecting others. If it is a single proposition, the entire package passes or fails together.
Next Steps After a "NO" Vote: A "no" vote respects the public's choice and prevents the original plan from moving forward, but it does not permanently lock the Board of Education out of future planning. The Board may take time to listen to community feedback and consider several options:
Redesigning or downsizing the project scope.
Seeking alternative funding sources or grants.
Maintaining natural-grass options.
Presenting a revised, updated proposition to voters at a later date.
5 - When would the special mid-year vote on this package take place?
Late fall or early winter of 2026. The date will be publicly announced via all communication channels and posted in the live school calendar at GranvilleCSD.org.
6 - Under New York State law and applicable District policies, may a sitting school board member, or a company in which that member has a financial interest, bid on or be awarded any portion of a district project or related scope of services?
New York State law and the District’s applicable policies impose conflict-of-interest restrictions on Board members and District contracts.
A Board member may not use his or her position to obtain an improper financial benefit, and contracts involving a Board member or an entity in which the Board member has a prohibited financial interest may be subject to the requirements and restrictions of the General Municipal Law and other applicable law.
The District is not aware of any instance in which a sitting Board member, or a business in which a sitting Board member has a financial interest, has been awarded a District contract or any portion of a District project.
7 - What is the Board's role versus the community's role in this process?
Ultimately, the final decision always rests with the voting public.
The Board’s responsibility is to do the groundwork; evaluating stakeholder feedback, exploring options, and determining which proposals are viable enough to present to the public.
Board discussions are not final decisions for the District; rather, they are the preparation required to bring a clear, thorough proposal to a public vote.
The final outcome always belongs to the voters, who decide whether or not to authorize the proposed plan.
8 - Does a capital investment in an athletic or outdoor facility support education?
Yes, investments in athletic and outdoor facilities support education. Here are some common examples:
Physical Education Curriculum: Outdoor tracks, fields, and courts serve as direct learning spaces for mandatory physical education, movement literacy, and health science courses.
Experiential & Multidisciplinary Learning: Outdoor facilities can double as instructional spaces for biology, environmental science, physics, and hands-on environmental stewardship.
Social-Emotional Development: Participation in school athletics and outdoor programs fosters teamwork, discipline, leadership, and emotional resilience, which are key components of student development.
School Engagement & Retention: Student participation in extracurricular activities and athletics are linked to higher attendance rates, better academic performance, and stronger school connection.
Community Connection & Belonging: Outdoor facilities offers a place for local youth leagues and family and neighborhood recreation. This shared access strengthens school-community partnerships, fosters civic pride, and connects families to the broader educational environment.
9 - Clarifying Phase III Facts:
No New Tax Increase: The Board is not asking voters for an additional $4.5 million in taxes. Phase III does not require any new taxes, borrowing, or increase in the current tax levy.
No Hidden Funds: The District has not suddenly found $4.5 million in unrestricted money. This is money that has already been set aside for the capital project and is "leftover money" (remaining, unused funds) from the outlined Phase I and Phase II that is currently underway.
No Set Decisions: The Board has not decided to build a turf field. Voters will have final say in a special election.
Limited Use: The capital project funds cannot be spent on general operational expenses at will and can only be invested in the capital reserves buildings and grounds project.
Balanced Priorities: The Board of Education remains deeply committed to prioritizing both academic and athletic excellence.
Questions? Link: Post your question or comment for the Superintendent, Building Committee and BOE to review. (Opens to a Google Form)
You can also send questions to krozell@granvillecsd.org and questions answers will be compiled for leadership staff. Thank you.
To speak with Superintendent Michael Hall: please contact Ashlee Zinn to schedule a phone or in-person meeting. 518-642-1051 ext. 1301 or azinn@granvillecsd.org