SCS Elevator Should be Repaired in About a Month

SCHOHARIE- A broken Schoharie school elevator should be back up and running within four to six weeks and the money to fix it will come from district coffers.

Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their September 17 meeting that the elevator is still out of commission. At a special meeting in August, board members approved an emergency elevator repair project.

The state said the project is not an emergency repair since the high school has two elevators and the building is handicap accessible, Mr. Blanchard said in September.

The high school has two elevators the one that needs repair is in the front of the school, he said. The repair estimate to repair and replace the controls and cab is $182,000.

The funds will be taken from the district's general fund and repair fund, Mr. Blanchard told school board members.

Around June 18, the elevator in the 1999 wing of Schoharie high school unexpectedly experienced a catastrophic failure, which was an unforeseen occurrence, since the elevator was functioning properly until that time.

The district’s elevator maintenance contractor said the catastrophic failure occurred because the elevator’s power system failed due to undetected corrosion; the elevator’s power system must be replaced to prevent further damage; and the elevator requires emergency modernization to become operational because its existing equipment and replacement parts are no longer manufactured; and additional construction is required to prevent future corrosion and for moisture protection. Other system components must be replaced to ensure reliable operation and reduce the risk of future moisture-related damage.

The district is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to have an operational elevator.

The district submitted plans for the repairs to the New York State Education Department, Office of Facilities Planning and told the SED that the repairs would performed on an emergency basis, in order to preserve the district’s property and to ensure the continued education of students and the health and safety of students and staff.

The board declared that the project is an ordinary contingent expense of the district such that it does not require voter approval.