Why These Upgrades Matter

Sag Harbor deserves school facilities that are safe, up to code, and built for the way students learn — and the way our community lives — today.

This project modernizes critical spaces that in some cases haven’t been improved in over 60 years, strengthens our town’s emergency readiness, and ensures Pierson’s academic, arts, and athletic programs meet current educational standards.

These upgrades are essential, not optional, and benefit both students and the wider Sag Harbor community.

Community Benefits

Enhanced Red Cross Emergency Shelter

  • Vital facility and utility upgrades – such as new generators and improved sanitation –  improve Pierson’s ability to operate as a community emergency shelter when needed.

  • Essential safety systems ensure reliability and readiness in crisis situations.

Community-Accessible Fitness Center

  • A fitness and wellness facility available to community members outside school hours.

  • Mirrors access in neighboring districts such as Bridgehampton and Shelter Island.

  • Supports health, wellbeing, and year-round community use.

Academic Upgrades

Learning Environment & Testing Conditions

  • Examination Conditions: Students currently sit examinations in a gym that can exceed 90°F due to the lack of air conditioning.

  • New climate-controlled environments will ensure safe, fair, comfortable testing conditions.

  • Supports student focus, achievement, and equal access to modern, standard learning spaces.

Science Facilities

  • Marine Science Lab: Hands-on wet lab mirroring Southampton and Westhampton Beach, supporting marine ecology, water chemistry, and field-based learning.

  • Robotics Lab: Improved space and storage for Pierson’s award-winning robotics program.

  • Technology & Woodshop: Enlarged and upgraded to meet modern curriculum demands and support safe, creative student work.

Arts Upgrades

Music Instructional Space

  • Creates a dedicated room so Band, Chorus, and Orchestra each have proper instructional space.

  • Supports a growing, award-winning music program.

Music & Media Studio

  • Multi-use studio for:

    • Music and vocal auditions

    • Podcasts and audio projects

    • Filming presentations

    • Digital media creation

    • Morning announcements

  • Provides modern tools and soundproof space needed to compete in today’s arts and communications higher education programs.

Essential Safety & Infrastructure Upgrades

Improved Safety & Building Compliance

  • Addresses long-standing safety issues, outdated systems, and accessibility gaps.

  • Upgrades ventilation, utilities, and critical building infrastructure.

  • Ensures Pierson meets today’s code and safety expectations.

Climate-Controlled Gymnasium

  • Replaces a 60-year-old gym with an updated, air-conditioned facility.

  • Ensures safe temperatures for academics, PE, student assemblies, and major exams.

  • Provides appropriate ceiling height, flooring, lighting, and ventilation.

Modernized Locker Rooms & Restrooms

  • Replaces deteriorated basement spaces with exposed piping, better sanitation and outdated fixtures.

  • Provides clean, functional, accessible facilities that meet current standards.

Athletic Upgrades

New High School Gym also provides

  • Higher ceilings able to accommodate all sports activities.

  • Modern lighting, safe flooring, and improved storage and training spaces.

  • Supports PE, athletics, student events, and academic uses.

  • Fosters school and civic pride in students and residents at home games.

Updated Training & Wellness Areas

  • Functional spaces for conditioning, recovery, and age-appropriate physical education.

  • Accessible to the whole community outside of school hours (no community facilities currently exist).