SCS Building Project Ahead of Schedule

SCHOHARIE - Just a few weeks into the new school year and the huge building project at Schoharie elementary school is already ahead of schedule, SCS David Blanchard reported this week.

"The elementary project is ahead of schedule," Superintendent Blanchard said Monday.

"The project is moving much faster than expected. We have a very quick timeline as we are looking to complete the project during the summer of 2025."

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

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

Board members last month 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.

Officials were very happy with the bids.

The construction and renovations will be done during the school year. The back parking lot will be a construction area and trailers will be brought in. A "lay down" area will be fenced off between the current gym and the soccer field. The administration parking lot will also be fenced off.

In addition to the new gym, library, and cafeteria, work will also include new locker rooms. The lights for the tennis courts and softball fields will be completed in mid-October.

Overall, the project will completely transform the interior of the elementary school, constructing a new and much larger gym and cafeteria, and a new, relocated library/media center.

Officials are looking for substantial completion of the project by September 2025 and final closeout paperwork on the project sent in to the State Education Department by November 1, 2025.

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.