Schoharie Project Ahead of Schedule, Tariff Hikes Minimal

SCHOHARIE - Construction crews are now working on the new gym roof at Schoharie elementary school.

SCHOHARIE - The ongoing Schoharie elementary school building project is ahead of schedule.

The transformation of the elementary school began late last summer and has continued through the rest of the fall, the winter, and into the spring. 

Superintendent David Blanchard said the project in the elementary school is on track for a September completion and is ahead of schedule.  

"We are moving towards finish work in the cafeteria and kitchen," he said this week. "The structural work in the gym will be completed in the next few weeks.  

The district has been very lucky in one aspect, the Superintendent added.

"The district was fortunate to get the majority of the construction materials ordered and on site ahead of the tariffs," Mr. Blanchard said.

Though many parts of the elementary school have been altered, the teachers and students have been "extremely cooperative" and there have been "minimal interruptions," Mr. Blanchard said earlier this school year.

Concrete work was done in December as the concrete truck poured floors in several areas including the rebuilt gym, the cafeteria, and the kitchen in the elementary school. The walls then went up.

The project has had a major impact on the elementary school installing a new gym and relocating the cafeteria and library, among other work.

The bids were awarded in August and work began in the beginning of September. Construction and break down areas were installed around September 15,

In addition to the work in the elementary school, other areas are seeing upgrades including the high school gym locker room, the training rooms, and the fitness center. 

In August, board members approved four bids for the project. The district received four bids for general construction and approved a bid from Murnane Building Contractors for $9.1 million. There were six bids for mechanical work, and board members approved a bid from Crisafulli Mechanical for $1.5 million. There were five bids for the electrical work and board members approved a bid from SW Burke Electric for $1.4 million. The district received five bids for the plumbing work and board members approved a quote from Tri-Valley Plumbing and Heating for $631,000.

The lights for the tennis courts and softball fields were completed in mid-October.

When completed, the construction would combine the current "1976" gym and elementary school cafeteria into a much larger gym with a stage at one end, move the cafeteria into the current elementary school library, and move the library to the current "1952" gym.  In addition, classrooms will be facelifted and painted, bathrooms will be upgraded and there will be plumbing upgrades in the 1952 wing.

The $25.9 million project was approved by voters in May 2022. The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.