Summer Facilities Projects Move Forward

Ceiling Replacement.The district expects to complete two facilities projects by the end of the first month of school. Following a partial ceiling collapse in late July, the Board of Education held two emergency meetings and determined the best long-term course of action was the replace most of the ceilings on the third floor. Inspection by our architects, structural engineers, and construction managers recommended this course of action, and the work began immediately, including additional asbestos abatement, demolition of existing ceilings, and new replacement. The work is being carried out in a manner consistent with the planned renovation of the science classrooms next summer.

With a new ceiling and temporary lights, this classroom is ready for occupancy.

 

The ceiling replacement for two Middle School classrooms will be finished by the first day of school, and the remaining four will become available on September 9th. Work on the six High School classrooms will be completed on or about September 23rd. Classes will be moved to temporary locations during this period.

Concession Stand. This project funded by the Bronxville School Foundation is about one month behind schedule, but progress is being made. The building is no closed in, and the bleachers and press box are expected to arrive mid-September.
 
Feasibility Study. Over the summer the Board of Education authorized a feasibility study to examine the possibility of adding permanent lighting to Chambers Field as a way to support expanding athletic programs at the School. Although the Board has taken no position on this question, community residents have expressed opposition, even prior to hearing the results of the study. At the August Board meeting, President David Brashear addressed this concerns:

We understand that there are a variety of impacts that may be associated with lights on Chambers Field, and we are proceeding carefully. An important first step is to complete a feasibility study, and we have hired our architects, KG&D, to conduct that study. A key, and required, component of that initiative will be an environmental impact analysis, focused on the ability to contain the spillover impact of the light that is generated. The Board of Ed is proceeding through this initiative with an open mind, and is being systematic in its approach. The original goal was to have the feasibility and environmental impact study ready by our next Board of Ed meeting in September. No decisions will be contemplated until the study is completed, and once it is completed, ample time will be made available for public input.

Flood Mitigation Project. Finally, the District is working with the Village to determine next steps in the proposed flood mitigation project, which would result in underground storm water storage tanks installed beneath Hayes Field on the grounds of the school. The district has engaged an engineer to advise us on potential impacts, and full consideration of this project is an important item for this fall.FEMA approved a grant to the Village in support of this project, and the Board of Education is conducting its own legal, architectural, and engineering review. The Board's portion of this project could not proceed without a referendum.

Auditorium/Science Renovations. This $10 million project, approved by voters last fall, has been submitted to the New York State Education Department for review and approval. When that approval is obtained, the District will begin the process of bidding the project and awarding contracts. The work is expected to begin early in 2014 and to be completed late in 2015.