SCS Building Project Ahead of Schedule - Major Strides Eyed for This Month

SCHOHARIE - Even though the cold and snow have come early this year, the huge building project at Schoharie elementary school is ahead of schedule, and major progress is planned for this month, SCS David Blanchard recently reported..

"It's really moving along faster than anticipated," Superintendent Blanchard told school board members at their November 21 meeting.

The teachers and students have been "extremely cooperative" and there have been "minimal interruptions," he notes. "We are well ahead of schedule," and he is very encouraged with the projects.

The first two weeks of December are very pivotal, he said.

Concrete work is planned for December 4, 6, and 9 as the concrete truck will pour floors in several areas including the rebuilt gym, the cafeteria, and the kitchen in the elementary school. Then the walls will go up. The remaining floor in the new cafeteria will be poured on December 12.

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

The district has a very quick timeline and officials are looking to complete the project during the summer of 2025.

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. The school should have a "viable weight room" by January. Equipment should be coming soon, Mr. Blanchard said. By the middle of the basketball season, students should be able to use the weight room.

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, Superintendent Blanchard noted.

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.