Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the New Lebanon school district's $11.8 million capital project is nearing completion. The district recently announced construction is expected to be finished by mid-December. “This work was needed in our buildings, as it was the largest renovation our schools had seen in more than 50 years. These updates, enhancements and additions will allow us to continue to offer the robust academic program New Lebanon is known for,” Superintendent Andrew Kourt said in a statement. The project was approved by district voters in May 2017. It included upgrades and improvements to Walter B. Howard Elementary School and at the junior-senior high school, including a new facilities storage area, renovated bathrooms, locker rooms, repairs and improvements to classrooms and nurse’s office, upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and the school kitchen. “I am very excited to show off our new facilities to our community once we get through the pandemic. The new gym in our elementary school will be a highlight of our community,” Kourt said. The project has been funded in part with $3 million the district retained in anticipation of construction, from the capital reserve and budgeted funds. The district also used $288,000 of Smart Schools Funding from the state to reduce costs, as well. The remainder of the funding was bonded for a 15-year term. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.