On Feb. 6, 2007, Albany voters approved a $19 million referendum at no additional cost to taxpayers to finish the ambitious building plan that was approved in 2001. The referendum enabled $32 million in total renovations to Arbor Hill, Giffen and TOAST, and means the district's PreK-8 program has been modernized under this unprecedented rebuild. It also brings to 14 the total number of schools newly constructed and/or renovated since voters approved the plan in 2001.

On December 11, 2001, Albany voters approved a $176.5 million facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly every elementary and middle school in the City School District of Albany. The goal of the comprehensive facilities plan is to give every school the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st Century.

In May 2002, voters approved an additional $8.7 million to expand the scope of the plan, bringing the total to $185.2 million. The district's work to modernize schools is nearing completion. When complete, district facilities will include:

• Six brand new buildings, five of which will replace old schools that were unable to provide an academic environment up to current (and future) educational standards.

• Four buildings significantly remodeled and/or enlarged.

• Three buildings modestly renovated.

The facilities plan will reshape education in Albany by putting an end to inequity among schools and giving every school the resources necessary to support learning and be a source of neighborhood pride.

The plan is designed to create smaller learning environments where children feel safe and receive more individualized attention.

While the facilities plan focuses on building improvements, it goes hand-in-hand with the district's academic improvement goals. All building improvements are intended to create a first-rate school system, in which every student can reach his or her full potential.