BOE makes case for proposed $10.8 million capital projects

By Abby Wolf
WARWICK — The Warwick Valley School Board enumerated the various repairs and refurbishments it proposes to make throughout the district’s buildings and grounds at its regular monthly meeting on Monday.
The capital project is estimated to cost $10,800,000 total. That includes $9,507,000 for the actual renovations and refurbishments; $760,000 to cover the 8 percent architect’s fees; and $532,440 for construction management.
Sixty-four percent of the project will be reimbursed, via state aid.
The district facs one possible snag. Schools Superintemdent Dr. David Leach said that the New York State Education Department is behind in its approval process of capital projects, which “will create a challenge … It’s a wrinkle we have to overcome,” adding that the district and concerned residents will need to reach out to their elected representatives.
“The scope of the project is narrower,” Leach said. “we try to leverage state aid and use our capital reserves.”
Leach added that this project “will not increase the levy, and not increase (school) taxes.”
“You won’t find multi-million dollar turf projects,” Leach said. The district works with engineers “so we know what our needs are, not necessarily our wants.”
The school board will ask district voters to approve the capital project in the district in a vote scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 7. The three polling centers will be in the same locations as during the budget vote: Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center; Kings Elementary; Pine Island Elementary building.
Here's what is proposed:
High schoolThe lion’s share – nearly 42 percent – of the proposed capital project budget ($4.5 million) will go toward repairs in the high school, and will include:
• Removal of three oil tanks (a 15,000 gallon and two 8000 gallons);
• Replacement of a failing partition in the old gym;
• Generator;
• Roof repair/replacement;
• AC units;
• Instructional space renovation;
• Bathroom updates;
• Heating piping radiation (replaces old, corroded pipes);
• Track resurfacing.
The high school – originally built in 1958 – has been modified three times: in 1964, 1991 and again in 2000.
Middle school The middle school, dating from 1974, is the second-largest percentage of the project – 20.46 percent ($2.2 million+) – and will address issues at the middle school, including:
• Upgrading the media center;
• Removal of 15,000 gallon oil tank;
• Replacement of failing folding partition;
• Ceiling replacement;
• Creating a single point-of-entry to the front of the building for security;
• Instructional space renovation.
Park Avenue Elementary The oldest building in the district still being used as a school was built in 1929 (the former Pine Island Elementary building is a year older), with newer facilities added in 1991. Park Avenue accounts for just over 14 percent of the proposed capital project, at $1.53 million.
Repairs will include:
• Air conditioning – currently, it has none, and “It gets very hot on the third floor,” according to Schools Superintendent Dr. David Leach, who added, “A child’s address should not dictate a comfortable, safe learning environment.”
• Replacement of failing interior distribution piping that’s original to the building;
• Water service replacement;
• Removal of a 12,000 gallon fuel tank;
• Replacement of failing folding gym partition;
• Replacement of classroom flooring
Sanfordville ElementaryThe WVSD’s youngest building, built in 2000, makes up just over 5 percent of the proposed capital project, coming in at $562,000. Among the repairs:
• Removal of 12,000 gallon oil tank installed in 1990;
• Replacement of Terrazzo flooring (currently delaminating);
• Convert oil water heaters to natural gas;
• Replacement of interior doors that are delaminating;
• Paving student drop off parking lot.
Other businessThe WVCSD board gave its blessing to several student field trips:
Middle school Wire Choir to the FDR Library and Museum in Hyde Park on Nov. 19;
High school Science Research students will go to the Eastern Jr. Science and Humanities Symposium at Burnt Hills/Balston Lake High School in Burnt Hills, NY, on February 3, 2018;
The high school class will travel to Washington, DC, and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for its Senior Class trip from April 26 - 28, 2018.
Next Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Work session, career and technical education at the high school media center.
Dec. 7. Capital project vote.
Dec. 11.1, 7 p.m. Regular meeting at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center.