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Haldane School District Ponders Capital Project Needs
Election and Budget vote scheduled for May 20, 2008
by Mike Turton
There's no school like an old school - unless of course you are faced with paying the bill for upkeep and repairs to that old school. At its December 18, 2007 meeting, the Haldane School District reviewed a report from John D'Angelo of the Fuller-D'Angelo architectural firm, outlining a long list of possible repairs and equipment to be replaced in a facility that, with the exception of the new high school, has been showing its age for some time. Superintendent Mark Villanti introduced the report, explaining to trustees that proposed works fall into four main categories: an aging facility in which equipment must be replaced; health and safety considerations; compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and energy and water conservation measures.
Villanti went on to say that specific priorities will be established at a future meeting. Determining those priorities will be a challenge for trustees as they begin to prepare for a public referendum that will likely be held in spring, 2008. Site repairs being considered include such items as paving, drainage improvements, fencing, repairs to a handicap ramp and improved parking, all at a total cost of approximately $275,000. Major roof repairs are needed atop the main building, cafeteria, gym, bus garage and administrative offices. Roof and masonry costs alone could total almost 1.2 million dollars. Renovations to the interior of buildings will add another $583,700 to complete a wide range of work that includes new cafeteria flooring, electrical repairs, asbestos abatement, new doors and replacing lockers originally installed in 1962. Plumbing needs are estimated at $203,000 while electrical upgrades to lighting, computer capabilities in classrooms, fire alarms, security systems and antiquated panel boards could cost in excess of $600,000. The greatest potential expenditures though are in the area of heating, ventilation and cooling where the total could reach $2.6 million. Trustees decided earlier in the fall to stay with the existing steam-based heating system, which in all likelihood will mean replacing one boiler and refurbishing the other. Switching to a new hot water-based or geothermal system was rejected at least in part due to greater initial capital cost.
Villanti indicated that the Building and Grounds Committee would meet soon to narrow the focus of the Fuller-D'Angelo report in order to help determine the scope of the final suggested capital project. He added that while the specific works that will be part of the referendum are yet to be determined "Nothing has been left out that is a major priority."
Later in the meeting trustees approved a detailed schedule for a process that will culminate with board elections and a vote on the proposed budget, including the capital project, on May, 20, 2008. The failing condition of the school and its facilities; the need to deal with a growing list of repairs and the interconnected nature of the proposed works was underscored in a report from Superintendent Villanti. The Board had previously approved spending up to $50,000 to replace the aging oil storage tanks. The total cost of that project is now estimated at $35,000; however a bladder expansion tank at the main building has begun to leak and must be dealt with at a cost of up to $6,500. The report suggested that should the Board proceed with the steam boiler replacement the new tank should be incorporated into the design.
In other business, trustees approved the re-appointment of the New York City accounting firm of Accume Partners as the Haldane School District's internal auditors for the 2007-2008 school year. Villanti indicated that a Request for Proposals (RFP) for auditing services was issued two years ago and that an RFP would be repeated next year to ensure competitive rates.
Trustees heard a special presentation by the elementary school principal Maggie Davis, middle school coordinator Julia Sniffen and high school principal Brian Alm. The power-point presentation was an evaluation of an array of "character education" programs aimed at promoting core ethical values among students of all ages.
These programs are wide- ranging. In elementary school some of the initiatives include: anger management; mentoring; "Banana Splits" - a program for students whose parents are separated due to divorce, military service etc; "No More Bullies," and positive role modeling through the "Women Helping Girls" program. In middle school some of the character building programs include: guidance class; "All Starts" which emphasizes positive self image; "Great Body Shop" - an initiative that promotes healthy life-style choices and peer and staff intervention. At the high school level programs include: "International Club" which emphasizes diversity; "STAR Team" in which students teach others about respect, visit area hospitals etc., and "Students Against Drink Driving."
Resident Joe Barbaro asked the presenters if bullying is tracked and if any progress is being made in curtailing such behavior. Maggie Davis responded that overall there is a "significant decrease in the number of bad decisions being made in the school yard." Davis indicated that kids are saying loud and clear that "they don't like bullying" and that there has been "a tremendous decrease in the number of issues coming to our attention." Julia Sniffen added that New York State has initiated a program for the reporting of severe and violent incidents of bullying state-wide but that the program is too new to have yielded any statistics or trends. In terms of future needs, Davis stated that there would be great benefit derived from adding a social worker to assist students in grades 6 through 12.
Haldane School District will meet next on Wednesday, January 2, 2008.
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