KATONAH-LEWISBOROPlans reveal how Lewisboro Elementary will transform into universal pre-K center

An aerial view of the LES site with Concept #3 plan superimposed.

By JEFF MORRIS

In the first detailed discussion of the plans for a new universal prekindergarten center at the former Lewisboro Elementary School, representatives of H2M architects + engineers presented conceptual drawings and breakdowns of costs, potential funding, and anticipated savings for preschool families. 

The presentation, at the Nov. 6 Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education meeting, included a project timeline showing completion by September 2027 —

something that Michael Lantier, engineer with H2M who led the presentation, called “very intimidating.” He said when they first heard that date, they “took a step back” but then put together a schedule working backward, with the knowledge that there would need to be a 13- to 14-month period for active construction.

A mural wall of ceramic tiles created by students and staff at Lewisboro Elementary School will be preserved as the building is redeveloped.

“The benefit that we have is that the site is completely usable for construction,” Lantier said. “We’re not trying to phase anything here or trying to maintain existing operations; once we get going we can really have them move.” 

The schedule will depend on first meeting a series of deadlines for approvals, funding, and environmental review, including public bond presentations and community forums in March and April of 2026 and a capital project vote in May. He said one piece of good news is that the State Education Department’s review window is “significantly lower than it has been for 15 years.”

The plan is now in the concept stage. Lantier said they had begun the design process by doing a walk-through of the building with Michael Lavoie, the district’s director of operations and maintenance, to learn about the issues he has had maintaining it. They then did an independent walk-through with a team of architects and engineers.

“We came up with three concepts,” he said. “At first, we looked at it and said, ‘This is pretty straightforward. We have this area that’s in pretty good condition; it’s a newer part of the building, this really would make sense to keep, let’s put some costs together to renovate this area while decommissioning and demolishing other parts of the building.’”

But after they looked at the first concept, Lantier said, they took a step back and said, “We think there’s more opportunities here.”

They developed a second concept that called for more demolition, but then looked at it again and said, “Wait a second. There’s another opportunity here, where we have some of the infrastructure currently available in part of the building that’s slightly older.” They decided to cost it out, and see what kind of potential impact it would have. 

The result was Concept 3, which Lantier said is “not the most inexpensive option, in terms of decommissioning or weatherizing your building, but it really provides the district with the most flexibility without demolishing the entire building.” 

He said it actually keeps a good amount of the square footage while being as cost effective as they possibly can. It provides not only for UPK right now, he said, but also for other programs they might be looking for at a later date, whether that be for community programs or expanding UPK.

Under Concept 3, most of the original main building that dated to 1939, which the town has been renting for offices, would be demolished. That includes what is probably the most recognizable feature, the columned entryway that led to the town court and hearing room. Created out of what had once been the original gym, it was later divided into music rooms after the new gym (which will remain) was built in 2004. Also demolished would be a kitchen and cafeteria wing added in the 1950s that was expanded and modernized in 1997; another 1997 addition that had included the main entryway and administrative offices; and another wing for the fifth and sixth grades that was added in 1959. Another structure to be eliminated is the modular classroom annex that has been functioning as the town’s police headquarters.

The key portion of the building that would be retained and refurbished is the kindergarten/first grade wing that was added in 1951, along with the adjacent former second grade classrooms that are part of the main building. Also to be saved is another component of the 1997 expansion that had held the “new” library, some fourth grade classrooms and an art room.

Board President Lorraine Gallagher thanked H2M for going back to take a “second, deeper” look, because, she said, for two years the LES committee had been thinking that the part they were keeping would be the part that was going away. “But from them taking that harder look, and looking at the kindergarten/first grade rooms with the existing bathrooms, and then saying ‘this really is in good shape’ — it would have been more to retrofit the fifth grade wing to be appropriate,” she said. “It ended up saving us money.”

Lantier said it probably will save a little bit of money, but will also provide about 15% more square footage. Gallagher added it also gives them another field, referring to a part of the concept that places a new soccer field in the cleared building area.

Asked by trustee Arwen Thomas Belloni about whether conversion to a UPK center would eliminate the community’s ability to use the gym outside of school hours, Superintendent Ray Blanch said they would continue partnership with the town to use that space, as well as the library, which he called “wonderful,” and they anticipate maintaining the art room. He said while use would not be possible during the construction process, “I would say it presents a lot of opportunities for the overarching community.”

Gallagher mentioned there are some playgrounds in the back that are fairly new, as well as an obstacle course/nature trail that would offer a lot of opportunities.

The board agreed to proceed with Concept 3, in order to start the schedule moving to meet the September 2027 completion date.

One element of the existing building, a photo of which was featured in the presentation, is a wall mural consisting of ceramic tiles that were created by students and staff for the opening of the newly expanded cafeteria in 1997. As that portion of the building is now slated to be demolished, The Recorder asked whether the mural is going to be preserved.

“Yes,” replied Assistant Superintendent for Business Lisa Herlihy, “the tile wall will be preserved, as the board and district recognize its sentimental value and intend to thoughtfully incorporate it into the renovated space.”