Gates Chili Central School District officials told the Board of Education on Oct. 21 that the Building Brighter Futures renovation is nearing final completion and that the larger Future Ready capital program has moved into state review and an expected fall bid cycle.

The update, delivered by Joe Pilato, senior project manager for campus construction management, laid out near-term milestones for the program that includes middle school music space renovations, field site work, and upgrades at Florence Brasser and other campus facilities. "We're really coming to a close here," Pilato said, describing interior masonry, insulation and exterior brickwork that crews were completing in late October.

The Future Ready project, which board members voted into place in February 2025, is structured in four phases to prioritize urgent infrastructure replacements, Pilato said. Phase 1 — described as high-school field fencing, visitor bleachers and related site work — was submitted to the New York State Education Department (SED) and officials said bids will open Nov. 12, with recommended contract awards planned for the Nov. 18 board meeting and construction expected to begin Jan. 5.

"The proposed scope of work for that was at the high school field fencing, gates, and bleachers," said Kurt Vador, SEI Design Group project manager, describing permanent visitor seating, a grand entry arch and stadium fencing. Pilato further noted that air-handler replacements across buildings include associated air-conditioning upgrades where the district specified them.

Pilato provided budget context: contingency funds remain ("about $1,600,000"), and allowances have been used — roughly $390,000 expended of $570,000 in allowances for the Building Brighter Futures work. He said overall phase 1 through phase 3 budgets had not changed and that contractors were roughly 83–84% complete between phase 1 and 2.

Board members asked operational questions, including a request for detail on how sidewalks adjacent to parking will be separated from vehicle traffic; Pilato said the team would follow up with the specific design answer.

District administrators also described the sequencing of later phases: phase 2 will take on library/media renovations at three elementary schools (with Florence Brasser shifted to phase 4 so the district maximizes state aid timing), phase 3 covers roadway and rooftop unit work, and phase 4 completes remaining site and interior renovations at Florence Brasser. Pilato said phase 2 had been submitted to SED and that the district planned concurrent design work on phases 3 and 4.

Why it matters: the two programs together address aging mechanical systems, site improvements and instructional spaces across the district; the board will consider contract awards and construction schedules in the coming weeks.

Plans and next steps: Pilato said phase 1 bids open Nov. 12, award recommendations would be presented to the board Nov. 18, and construction would begin Jan. 5. Phase 2 SED review is expected to take several months before that work is bid.

The board received the update and asked for follow-up information on design details and pedestrian/vehicle separation along new sidewalks.