Capital Improvement Projects Detailed

The Clarkstown School District has 20 capital projects in progress or in planning for various locations. Facilities Manager Anthony Valenti updated the school board on the projects and required processes at Thursday’s meeting. He said the district has five infrastructure projects in the works costing $1.7 million and 15 life safety projects with a price tag of $1.6 million.

He pointed out it may seem that projects are talked about for a long time before anything happens because of the necessary steps. Valenti said construction on a capital project approved this June would not actually begin until July 2014 because of the time it takes to get state Education Department approval, put out bids, evaluate proposals and get the necessary materials.

Valenti spoke about some of the capital projects under way at Clarkstown North High School, Congers and Woodglen Elementary and other schools.  The state is currently reviewing an application for an 80-square-foot modular security guard booth at North. He said it would be more functional than the current one. Additional projects on the list for North include new bleachers, a press box and concession stand plus ventilation repairs and painting.

At Congers, steps are being taken to resolve water mitigation problems and at Woodglen, the building’s ventilation system is being evaluated for potential airflow improvements. He also said underground fuel storage tanks used for the district’s buses would be moved during the summer.

Valenti said repairs are considered separately and that the district spent $146,000 on roof repairs so far this school year.  In the 2011-2012 school year, the district paid $105,000 for roof repairs. His comments led to a board discussion about allocating funds to the budget specifically for roof replacements. The board voted unanimously to designate $1 million from the reserve funds and add it to the 2013-2014 budget for roof replacements.