Giving Valley Stream's high schools some TLC

Looking ahead, the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education, assistant superintendents and new Superintendent Dr. Richard Marsh have begun to tackle one tough cookie — the 2011-12 budget. Starting with a comprehensive tour of all four of the district’s schools and the first budget meeting for the season on Jan. 8, building conditions were examined and all capital projects that need to be done were discussed.

Several important projects for all the district’s schools were presented to the board in a report by Assistant Superintendent of Business Wayne Loper. Covering the needs of each school as identified through consultations with each of the principals, the report also includes facility items identified as in need of improvement by a New York State Department of Education mandated building condition survey.

The survey, which was done by an architect hired by the district, is required for all public schools every five years. The architect examined several components including structure, plumbing and electrical systems in each of the district’s four schools. The board was presented with the survey last month, Loper said.

“It lists over $9 million dollars worth of work that the board must consider over the next few years,” Loper said. “It is not an immediate need today, but it is a working plan to maintain our school districts.”

During the tour, the board got to see first hand all items deemed a top priority on the report, totaling a little more than $3 million. The district architect and outside contractors estimated costs for these projects. Some projects would likely be included in next year’s budget, while others would be part of a capital reserve proposition that would be voted on by the public. The district’s current capital reserve fund has a balance of $1.26 million.