Poughkeepsie High School’s newly renovated auditorium officially reopened Tuesday.
The expansive project marks a major step forward for the Poughkeepsie City School District’s emphasis on increasing educational resources and opportunities for the performing arts.
The renovation is part of the Strong Schools Equal Strong Communities Capital Project, an investment of roughly $150 million into the modernization of the district’s eight buildings to better serve our students.
The auditorium features new seating – including tuck-away desk surfaces connected to every-other chair – fresh paint and decoration on its walls, new paint and carpeting on the floors, track lighting and accessible spaces to better serve all populations of students and visitors, extra seating and a new control center in the back of the house, and other improvements.
“This is not just a construction renovation,” Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott said. “This is a transformation of spaces.
“We’re so happy for the students who are going to partake and experience a renovated, upgraded, 21st century auditorium,” he said.
The new auditorium is expected to be a hub not only for the district’s most impactful events and seminars, but also community events. 

“This community has invested in our children for generations for come,” Mott said. “I want to thank every single Poughkeepsie resident for understanding the importance … and their vote of confidence in this construction project.”
The project began with demolition in early July and continued on through the school year. Seating arrived at the school in late January as crews accelerated to the finish. In all, 1,200 new seats were installed on the ground and balcony levels of the auditorium.
With the high school project now substantially complete – there are still minor finishing touches to complete – demolition began at Poughkeepsie Middle School Wednesday for its own auditorium renovation project.
The middle school project is expected to stretch through the end of the school year; plans are already in place for the high school’s new space to host the year-end celebrations normally held at the middle school.
“We’re excited about what’s taking place, what’s transforming in that auditorium,” Mott said. “We know that (after) years of use, it’s time for upgraded renovations there.”
The district in recent years has bolstered its performing arts opportunities by reviving drama club performances at both the elementary and secondary levels, and launching the Smart Scholars Early College High School Performing Arts Academy in collaboration with Dutchess Community College and The Bardavon 1869 Opera House. The first-of-its kind program allows students to gain college credits while training in the performing arts during their four high school years. In addition to English and communication skills, performing on stage has been shown to build self-confidence in students with benefits transferable to many facets of career preparation.
Of the renovation projects, Mott thanked the community “for giving us the opportunity to showcase what Poughkeepsie can do when our minds come together for putting children and families first.”