This past Monday was the first school board meeting of the new year for the Oyster Bay School District and it was back to business as Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Christopher Van Cott outlined the district’s facilities update.
“It is a three part plan,” said Van Cott. “We’re focusing on current project status, potential 2014-15 capital reserve items and long-term capital needs.”
Projects that were approved by voters in May of 2012 are replacement and renovation of Oyster Bay High School’s bathrooms, masonry, lockers, outside message board, front plaza and administration building windows.
These projects were delayed approval by the State Education Department because of the priority of Superstorm Sandy projects. They are expected to be bid upon this spring with work expected to start on them in the summer.
“As of now work on the lockers in the high school is primarily complete,” said Van Cott.
Other projects that were voter approved last May are window replacement in the Teddy Roosevelt School, upgrades to gas service in the high school and Vernon, HVAC improvements in Teddy Roosevelt and replacement of the science wing windows in the high school.
These projects were submitted to the SED in November 2013 and are expected to be approved this spring.
Potential capital reserve items which will be voted on in May include construction and new equipment for school parking lots, windows, roofs, masonry, field house renovation, bathrooms and sidewalks.
The existing capital reserve has a term of twenty years expiring in June 2026. As of June 30, 2013 the capital reserve balance is $3,844,265 with $6.1 million committed/expended.
For 2014-15, potential use of the reserve will go to renovation of high school parking lots and the bus loop and drainage of the tennis courts. Roof repairs and electrical panels will also focused on in the high school. The Vernon School will have exterior masonry work and ceiling replacements performed. The total for all work not including the tennis courts amounts to $1,425,000.
Van Cott listed long term capital projects as the “Big Ticket” items.
“Our future needs will be focused on the athletic fields at the Christie Property, the high school’s art and music wing expansion, the Vernon module building and an AC unit for the high school’s auditorium and cafeteria.”
The next business meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the high school library.
