Projects lined up for summer
By:Krzysztof Scibiorski
The school board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a list of seven repair and improvement projects at district schools it hopes can be completed during the summer.
The district will seek approval to use capital reserve fund money to replace the asbestos-laced tile floors in three kindergarten classes at the Weston school, the high school main office and library.
Also on the top priorities list of the district’s Long Range Facility Plan are integrated security, public announcement and clock systems at the four schools and the refurbishing of the playgrounds at Weston School.
According to members of the Facility Committee the security system would include cameras pointed at entryways into the schools. The playground projects would include the removal and replacement of the current, out-of-date equipment such as slides, basketball hoops and courts, and the baseball field.
"These projects would add up to just a little over one-half of the capital reserve account and would not affect the school budget or add costs, this money is already here," Finance and Facilities Committee Chair Dorothy Bradley said at Tuesday’s meeting.
In December 2001, the account stood at $540,000, money that is to be used for capital improvements listed in the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan.
Richard Reilly, the district’s business administrator, said that sending the list to Trenton is just the first step in the process.
"All the items on the list must go to Trenton to get approved. Some might even qualify for the EDA funds," Mr. Reilly said, referring to the state funds that will cover 40 percent of the expenses associated with the January referendum.
The board hopes that at least some of the items will be addressed during the summer.
"I can’t give even an estimated timeline on these projects," Mr. Reilly said. "I hope that Trenton reviews these projects as quickly as they did our referendum, in a month or two."
"All of these projects are Level 1 and Level 2 priorities that have to be addressed," Mr. Jurewicz said.