Shiny New Facilities Await Rye Students Following an Increase in District’s Education Funding

As Rye students head back to school this year, they will be entering classrooms that may look very different than they did just a year ago – thanks largely to last year’s $110.5 million budget and a 2019 school bond. 

School officials have been using that money to turn middle and high school classrooms into flexible learning spaces that resemble modern, tech-driven work spaces, and updating many school facilities.  

“It’s going to look a whole lot more like a Google space than an old-school kind of classroom,” said Rye Superintendent of Schools Eric Byrne. “It’s a space that we’re creating for coursework and project work.” 

In addition, the district is making improvements to all of the elementary schools. At Osborn and Midland Schools, the 20-plus-year-old portable trailer classrooms will have been demolished and new classroom wings added in time for the start of school in September 2025. At Midland, the trailers already have been demolished. 

At Milton School, more than 5,000 square feet of flooring in common spaces and hallways was replaced and the lobby and first floor hallway received a fresh coat of paint. 

Voters approved a capital improvements bond in 2019 and a $110.5 million tax cap override school budget this May, allowing the Rye City School District to begin making the changes. Improvements to the Media Center, iLab, and auditorium are funded with the capital budget, while classroom and other renovations are part of the new operating budget.  

Rye High School will now have an “iLab” equipped with advanced technology that also will include small rooms for collaborative work,  similar to those at Rye Middle School. There will be a new seminar room for larger groups and special events, allowing for interaction and creativity among students. 

New floors at the high school will be more economical, because they stay clean without needing to be waxed, said Assistant Superintendent for Business Gabriella Perruccio. 

Workers have overhauled the library and media center, which now include a tutoring center, new classrooms, and upgraded technology, as well as new flooring, furniture, and lighting. 

“The renovation of the library was a major part of our project,” Byrne said. 

Students will be able to more easily access the school’s courtyards, which can be reached through the library, media center, or iLab.

“All these little courtyards had been unusable,” Byrne said.

The courtyards have been opened up and furnished, and students will be able to use them for more space to relax and socialize. 

The High School Performing Arts Center has been overhauled. The stage has been upgraded with new curtains, lighting, and remote-controlled chandeliers. But these renovations are only “act one” – the renovations will be finished next summer, when the seating floor will be leveled to provide greater accessibility.  

With a sharp focus on school safety, the high school has installed a new emergency lockdown system that is integrated with the public address system and visual visitor management systems. 

“We’ve done a lot of work in terms of fire safety doors, fire safety compliance, and accessibility that meets current code requirements,” said Byrne.  

The new security system allows for the entire district to be locked down at the push of a button. The system includes Salto locks in every door, ensuring quick action in case of an emergency. Salto locks provide access only to the faculty.  

“For example, if there’s an intruder trying to get in the building, security can click a button, and it locks down the entire school,” said Byrne.  

In the gym, new paint, light fixtures, and ventilation added in 2022 had improved the space; next summer, the room will get a new floor and bleachers. The second-floor wrestling room has had a facelift, with fresh paint, a new wood floor, new wall mats, and the addition of fresh air ventilation.  

Plans for additional improvements include reconditioning and new drainage for the softball field.  

Nugent stadium received a new scoreboard as a gift from the Rye Fund for Education. A second scoreboard for the softball field will be installed in time for spring softball season and was donated by the RFE and private donations.  

At Midland School, the District has dismantled the 23-year-old portable trailer classrooms in preparation for a new classroom wing. The district is awaiting State Education Department approval to do the same at Osborn School.

Both new wings will be ready for use by next September, according to Sarah Derman, school district spokesperson.