By NANCY HILER
Seeba said Reinhard, Winthrop and Shore Road elementary schools needed an estimated $6,315,660 in construction and repairs. BBS is a Patchogue-based engineering firm that the district hired to conduct its facilities condition study and develop a five-year capital plan, as the state requires of all school districts.
Proposed improvements included the following:
€ Roofing: Replacement or extensive repair of certain rooftops on parts of all three buildings that are experiencing ponding, leaking or moisture damage, and are "beyond their useful lives" since each is 15 or more years old.
€ Windows: Window balances, described as "springs that operate like sash weights" by Seeba, need to be repaired because some windows cannot be opened.
€ Lintels: Masonry work is needed above the windows to maintain these steel supporting beams.
€ Steam traps: Devices used to remove condensate (water) from the steam lines, many of these need replacing to improve heat distribution and energy efficiency.
Seeba said the estimated $6.3 million price tag breaks down follows: about $1.26 million for Winthrop, $2.60 million for Reinhard and $2.44 million for Shore Road. The engineer pointed out that the sooner decisions are made and the approval process is begun through Albany the better to avoid further damage and higher building costs. Construction prices have escalated about 10 percent in the past two years, compared with 4 percent in previous years, he said.
"It is not possible to budget for these items," Superintendent of Schools Sheldon Dumain said after Seeba's presentation, suggesting that a bond issue may be needed. Dumain and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Technology Services Deirdre Gambino gave presentations about various financing options, including a potential bond offering and the possible inclusion of a one-time state Excel Aid opportunity that, if obtained, could mean a reimbursement of up to $400,000 in capital-improvement expenses.
The board asked Seeba preliminary questions during the meeting, although full consideration of options and further discussion will follow. One example was that Trustee Janet Goller asked about the possibility of including refurbishments to the Reinhard School's auditorium in the plan, suggesting perhaps that the steam traps be taken out of the proposal.
In other developments, a resolution making September 2006 "Act for Education Month" was approved unanimously. Trustee Jay Breakstone briefed the community about pending school-related legislation in Albany and expressed the importance of watching to see whether certain resolutions would be vetoed by the governor in the near future.
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. at Winthrop Avenue School.
Comments about this story? nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
