by Sharon G. Jonas
The ongoing capital improvement projects for Seaford’s four schools, along with the accompanying challenges and disruptions such work entails, were discussed at the September 16 Board of Education meeting.
The $22 million bond issue will be used in five phases of work designed to provide significant renovations to the high school, middle school and both elementary schools. The projects are in various stages, with some still being planned, others in progress and some still waiting state and local board approval.
Nearing completion
The projects nearing completion include:
• Total renovation of the Seaford Manor School’s playground.
• Renovations to doors, floors and the roofs at all of the schools.
• New lockers for the high school locker room.
• Lockers for both corridors and locker rooms at the middle school.
• Limited bathroom work in the Manor.
Board authorizations of payments to contractors included $340,412 to Young Equipment Sales, a fourth payment of $88,771 to NRI construction and $145,989 to Country Carpet Distributors, Inc.
Window replacement for the entire middle school will begin over the spring break and completion of the window replacement work at the Seaford Harbor School, started in the summer, should begin in June.
Some stumbling blocks included the discovery of asbestos in the middle school doors and the need to address the absence of bathrooms on the second floor at the high school.
Pending state approval, renovations with an anticipated start date of February 2009 include the high school’s new 8,000-square-foot music room addition, new athletic field with all-weather turf, conversion of an antiquated rifle range into usable athletic space and remodeling of the special education and guidance office.
New athletic field
Details of the new athletic field expected to be approved and started in April 2009, were presented by Tom Condon, the high school’s athletic director.
Mr. Condon explained his extensive research and goals of prioritizing to create more than just a “thing of beauty” but a project that addresses both safety issues and budgetary limitations. The design is forward-thinking with consideration for later expansion. Lighting placement, for example, allows space for additional bleachers should more be needed at a later date.
Mr. Condon explained how this would prevent wasteful costs incurred by ripping up sections of the already-placed turf to make additional holes. The planned lighting is for a low-wattage system to allow for dimming so that evening activities such as walking about the track would be possible. In response to a concerned parent’s question about lighting the access areas for spectator safety, Mr. Condon explained this was not addressed in the design and would at this point exceed budgetary limitations. Alternative fields being examined for athletic activities while construction is underway include Seaman’s Neck Park and other schools’ fields. The estimated time to remodel the field and track area - 12 to 14 weeks - includes the sizable task of excavating two feet down to address ground drainage issues, as well as placing 26 drainage wells.
Graduation ceremony changes
One of the more than 30 high school students from the Participation in Government class attending the meeting asked how the renovation’s time line would affect the spring graduation ceremony normally held on the field. Assistant Superintendent Brian Conboy said the administration anticipated the challenge of finding an alternative location and that after some exploration Nassau Community College seemed like not only the most suitable sight, but the only option left as a number of neighboring high schools have already booked space at local colleges for their ceremonies. Rental at Nassau would run an estimated $2,200 (approximately half of the cost of Seaford’s past graduation costs for outdoor tent rentals) and provide adequate space with 1,200 seats as well as air conditioning – an amenity those attending past ceremonies on hot summer days would have appreciated. Using Seaford’s auditorium, with a capacity of 765 seats, was not an option due to size constraints. When questioned about how rehearsal would work at the off-campus location, Mr. Conboy responded that this issue was not addressed, but he would do further research to find out.
Budget concerns
Superintendant Markle expressed concerns about cash flow, stating, “The state budget deficit continues to grow and we are still very concerned that…this could lead to a mid-year reduction.” Long Island senators, he continued, “vowed not to let this happen” but said that the administration will “continue to watch with significant interest,” especially during the lame duck session.
Mention was made and gratitude given to Senator Fuschillo Jr. for achieving an additional $30,000 in “bullet aid,” as well as a grant for SMART boards (white boards capable of connecting with computers for interactive learning).
Energy efficient technology
Although not directly tied to the five phases of capital improvements, efforts to apply innovative energy-saving techniques are being explored.
While standard updates such as replacing the boiler for the middle school were resolved, newer technology, including the installation of solar panels on the upcoming music room at the high school and/or a ballasted system on the existing auditorium roof, demand greater research and planning. Working with LIPA officials and Johnson Controls, specialists in energy efficiency, it is Mr. Markle’s goal to lower tax impact upon Seaford through LIPA rebates and reimbursements, state aid and grants such as the one from Senator Fuschillo for $250,000. LIPA is changing two key elements – permitting the school district to aggregate the buildings to allow a larger single system, and net metering, which allows slowing the current meter when generating, energy thereby substantially lowering energy needs and costs, the superintendent said.
Conceivably on a low usage day, such as in the summer, the meter can run backwards, and instead of taking from the grid the district would feed energy into it. This practice can generate in some instances a “net metering positive number” or surplus, although the Seaford system would not be able to go this far, Mr. Markle concluded.