Friday, August 30, 2013

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.

 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

District Welcomes New Teachers and Interns

Bronxville held its annual new teacher orientation this week, led by teacher Toby Gillen and Denise Lutter, Teacher Center Director.  The group represents a range of prior experience, ranging from New York City to Hong Kong, from new teachers to veterans. Of special interest this year is the new partnership with Long Island University - Hudson. Five graduate students are joining the Elementary faculty as interns. In that capacity they will  work closely with the faculty, teach classes, and participate actively in professional development activities.


Elementary School First Grade: Kathryn Westerheim
Elementary School General Music: Marina Brown
Elementary School Library: Heather Norman
Middle School Mathematics: Tanil Russo
Middle/High School Latin: Eva Cieloszyk
Middle/High School Physical Education: Gillian Garzia
Special Education ESOL: Ruben Hernandez
Special Education Self-Contained Classroom: Catalina Tyndal
Elementary School Interns: Allie Colsey, Arsalan Habeeb, Cathleen Meloni-Potts, Brooke Kunze, Kim Dietz
Special Education Psychology Intern: Christina Fiorvanti, Kaitlin Fitzgerald, Kelly Horn .

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Board Authorizes Emergency Ceiling Replacement

For the second time this August the Bronxville Board of Education convened to authorize funds for emergency construction work, addressing concerns about the third floor ceiling in the oldest parts of the school building.  After a partial hallway ceiling collapse on July 26, the district's architects and construction managers, KG&D and Park East, conducted further inspections and concluded that some other classrooms under attic space could also be at risk. Other areas are not similarly vulnerable because of the different method of construction -- concrete deck rather than wood joists.)

The initial plan, estimated to cost $469,000, called for repair by reattaching the existing ceiling to the support structure above. Based on further assessment of conditions, however, architects and construction managers determined that a more comprehensive approach -- complete replacement rather than repair -- would be more cost effective and a better long-term solution. 

In this classroom asbestos has been abated, and the ceiling will be replaced.

Board members expressed support for the more comprehensive approach, which will completely remove ceiling asbestos in most third floor classrooms. Board President David Brashear commented that the plan will make permanent improvements and help modernize a building, first erected in 1920.

After discussion about the scope of the problem and the means for financing the project, the Board  passed a resolution for a revised plan, not to exceed $997,428.  About $377,000 of the total is for asbestos abatement. Funds will be obtained by transferring monies from various reserves, partially offset by insurance recoveries.The abatement portion of this work, including air quality testing, is scheduled for completion by August 28th. At that point, demolition, electrical work, and carpentry will begin, and construction will extend through the first month of school, largely during off hours. During this period, a number of classrooms on the third floor will be unavailable - six on the High School side and four on the Middle School side. These classes will be rescheduled to other building locations, and access will be phased in as construction is complete.

Superintendent David Quattrone praised the efforts of the professional consultants over the past month.  "KG&D and Park East have been energetic, committed allies in response to this situation.  They have worked quickly and efficiently to protect the safety of all, move forward to a timely completion, and minimize costs.  I am very grateful for and am impressed by their expertise and collaboration. I value their partnership highly. Our asbestos contractor, Suburban, and environmental consultant, Omega, have also been important and effective team players in this work.  Working together, we have come up with a plan that provides a long-term solution, not just a temporary fix. I am confident in our approach. Finally, we are fortunate that the initial collapse occurred with no one in the building and at a point in time when we can recover with minimal disruption to the educational process."


Monday, August 5, 2013

Board Approves Emergency Ceiling Repairs


A section of the School's ceiling, approximately 250 square ft., collapsed around 5:00 pm. on Saturday, July 20. The collapse occurred in the third floor hallway outside the science classrooms. No persons were in the building and no one was injured.  Following the incident our architects, construction managers, and a structural engineer inspected the entire building to determine the vulnerability of other areas.
 
They concluded that other portions of the third floor ceiling were potentially vulnerable based on the age of the building and visual evidence of separation among several ceiling elements - lathe, plaster, and furring. Parke East developed a remediation action plan to reattach ceiling elements in those parts of the building needing reinforcement. In some parts of the building the entire ceiling will be replaced, but in many other areas there is no evidence of a problem. However, the remediation and repair plan is comprehensive and designed to minimize risk.

At a special meeting of August 5, the Board of Education authorized emergency repair work, following the recommendations of our architects and construction managers. The not-to-exceed budget figure was about $470,000 and is expected to be completed prior to the opening of school. Based on the architects' and construction managers' recommendations, this work will carry out a satisfactory short-term repair; in the longer term ceiling replacement is the preferred solution. That program would require a more comprehensive plan and a referendum.