Schools
Moving Along With Garfield Avenue Project
Board of education talks about the next steps with maintenance facility.
The Garfield Avenue maintenance facility was the topic of discussion at the Sayville Board of Education meeting last Tuesday.
The Tyler Avenue maintenance facility, which has been deemed beyond repair, is now 95 percent evacuated, according to Dr. Walter Schartner, superintendent of schools. The workers are temporarily housed in the basement of the high school while estimates are still coming in for a temporary structure on the grounds. According to Schartner, costs will likely be just under $8,000 but could be a bit more if heaters are needed. By the end of November, workers should be completely evacuated from the Tyler Avenue building.
In regards to the Garfield Avenue projects, John Belmonte, assistant superintendent of business, has been in contact with the architects and the State Education Department (SED). The project will now take place in two phases, Belmonte said. “As long as we don’t change the project, we can do it in as many phases as we wish,” Belmonte said, after phone conversations with SED.
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The first phase, which will stay within the remaining budgetary funds, includes clearing of the land, foundations, slabs, plumbing and all the underground work. The board will seek out new bids for the project on Dec. 13 and will award bids in January. The projected completion date for phase one of the project is set for Sept. 20, 2012.
Phase two will be completed using approximately $500,000 from the district’s fund balance. While there will be no additional cost to taxpayers for the project, it does raise some concerns with a 2 percent tax cap looming.
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Bids will open in June and the second phase, since it is a prefabricated building, should be done by the end of the September, Belmonte said. The district is still working with the MTA to grant a temporary easement on the track side. Attorneys are completing the paperwork to file with the Town of Islip and a public hearing date will be scheduled.
Schartner also spoke about the transportation issue in regards to unifying the distance for buses in elementary school. A committee has been formed, including PTA Council members and school board members. Schartner said the goal is to unify the K-5 transportation issue with no additional buses(cost). They are reaching out to other districts that are using the new estimates of busers instead of relying on actual headcounts. More information should be available from those districts soon and another meeting will be scheduled thereafter.
