Phase II of Building Project Underway
The second phase of a $6.7 million building project designed to preserve and protect Schenevus Central School is underway. (Visit the Capital Project page for regular updates.) The project, which was approved by voters in 2015, is focused on increasing energy efficiency, improving safety and security, replacing deteriorated or obsolete materials and equipment, asbestos removal, and adding special education program space. The timing of the proposed project and associated state aid were chosen to minimize the impact of the local cost to taxpayers. The project’s estimated cost of $6,710,552 will be offset by 84 percent state aid, $166,978 in EXCEL aid, and anticipated energy savings. An overall total tax impact of 2 percent is expected to be attributed to the project.
Phase I complete: The first phase of the project began in the summer of 2016 with the safe removal of asbestos pipe insulation, floor tiles, acoustic panels and plaster ceilings original to the 1940 building.
Special Education classroom: A major component of Phase II is the construction of a new special education classroom downstairs under the girls locker room. The larger space will include bathroom facilities and more room for students and staff. To create the new classroom space, workers repositioned pipes to raise the ceiling height, ran new plumbing lines for bathroom facilities, poured a new concrete floor and began construction of a handicapped-accessible ramp. Work will continue through the spring to complete the classroom space.
Lighting upgrades: Energy-efficient lighting has been installed throughout the school.
Bell and clock systems: The old-fashioned ringing bells to mark class periods have been replaced with a digital system. Classroom clocks have also been re-wired and replaced with contemporary clocks.
Water heater and insulation: Workers have installed a new water heater, and added insulation to pipes in the crawl space underneath the original school buildilng.
Bus garage: Energy efficiency upgrades have been completed at the bus garage, sealing the areas where the exterior walls meet the roof.
Heating and ventilation: Work is underway to upgrade heating and ventilation equipment throughout the school buildings.
Up next: As work continues through the spring and summer, one area of focus will be updates and expansion of the school library. The original decorative woodwork will be preserved while the space is upgraded to create more room for student computers and other work space. Updates are also planned in the following areas:
- Paving and asphalt resurfacing
- Updates to original bathrooms
- New sound system, lights and curtains in cafetorium
- Refinished floors in classrooms, gym and cafetorium
- New auditorium seating in cafetorium