The future is bright for Monticello Central School District, and it’s arriving faster than ever. With construction now underway on the voter-approved 2024 capital improvement project, exciting transformations are on the horizon, beginning with a brand-new track and field, modern athletic facilities, and improved access for students and community members alike.
On May 19, Monticello CSD administrators, Board of Education members, students, and representatives from BBS Architects, Schoolhouse Construction, and Clark Companies gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official start of Phase I of the project.
This phase focuses on the creation of Panther Stadium, a state-of-the-art athletic complex that will include a 1,000 seat grandstand, pressbox, sports lighting, restroom facilities and a new field house.
Additionally, Ed Kennedy Field will undergo a complete transformation. The track will expand from six lanes to eight and be resurfaced with synthetic turf, bringing the potential to host regional track meets, and graduation right here at Monticello High School. A newly constructed access road will connect the field to the parking lot, improving safety and convenience for students, staff, and visitors.
The renovations at Ed Kennedy Field are expected to be completed in the fall of 2025, with the construction of Panther Stadium expected to be complete in the fall of 2026.
The brand-new athletics facility may be the most visible enhancement to come out of the project, but they are by far the only. The capital improvement project also includes the replacement of the original “storefront” window entrances, and classroom upgrades at all elementary schools, façade improvements at the St. John Street building and new windows at the Monticello High School library.
“We’re grateful to our voters for their support of this project and are excited to see it begin to come to fruition,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Evans said. “These improvements will help us move forward towards our goals of creating a world-class community of schools, and becoming a district of choice.”