Buildings get attention in District 30

Three of Valley Stream District 30’s four school buildings will need some upgrades in the next few years ranging from new windows and doors to heating system improvements. Administrators and Board of Education members got to see just what these needs are — about $792,000 for next year — during a facilities tour last Saturday morning.

The tour began at the one school that doesn’t need any significant work — the Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center. That building, which houses all of Clear Stream Avenue School’s kindergarten students, was completely renovated in 2003. The only work planned there is the installation of a digital security camera system.

The talk at Clear Stream Avenue was about building an elevator. The school, originally built in 1923 and added onto three times, has four different levels. An elevator would need to serve the three levels of the main building, plus the wing that houses the gymnasium and art room. The question, officials say, is where to put it.

“Any place in this building where we’re going to put an elevator, we’re going to lose instructional space,” said Facilities Director Greg Abbate. He added that even if the elevator were to be built on the outside, it would still have to access the inside. And if were built right in the center, he said, it would mean the main office and teacher’s lounge would have to be relocated.

Principal John Singleton said that space is already hard to come by in the building, noting that ESL instruction is in the hallway of the new wing, so an elevator will require thoughtful planning.

Lisa Rutkoske, assistant superintendent for business, said the elevator would be done during the final year of the district’s new five-year facilities plan because it is an expensive project, expected to cost at least $2 million.

Board members expressed their dissatisfaction with some water stains on the ceiling tiles in the hallway outside of the art room. Abbate said that a new roof was put on the school over the summer, and that there are already is a leak. He said that the source of the leak has not been found, and the roofing company will have to use an infrared camera. All repairs, he said, are covered under warranty.