School Facilities Projects Advance on Schedule
While most students are on vacation for the summer, these are busy months for buildings and grounds department workers in the Huntington School District. An ambitious set of projects is underway, funded by either state monies or the district’s Building Improvement Fund.
“Some of these renovations are being performed by our own staff, but the majority of the capital work is being performed by outside contractors,” said David H. Grackin, assistant superintendent for finance and management services.
At Huntington High School, construction of two science labs is on schedule. Demolition has been completed, installation of new walls and ceilings is underway, plumbing and electric has been “roughed” in and cabinets are slated for delivery the second week of August. Installation of HVAC is also moving along with pieces of equipment either already on site or expected soon.
The reconstruction of a deteriorating masonry wall along the high school cafeteria is also progressing. Safety sidewalk bridging has been removed from the area along with the existing windows. Demolition began on July 15 and temporary walls have been constructed.
The installation of new stairwell skylights at the high school has been completed. Painting and installation of new countertops on classroom shelving units is also advancing.
Workers have already reconfigured classroom space at Flower Hill Primary School and constructed a second floor office for department chairpersons on the second floor at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. The floor in the Finley gymnasium is scheduled for refinishing in mid-August.
At Washington Primary School, some classroom walls were removed and space was reconfigured. The school’s half-century old 10,000 oil tank has been removed “with no environmental issues,” according to Director of Facilities Paul Rispoli. By mid-July the site had been excavated and a new 8,000 had been installed.
Southdown Primary School is also getting a new oil tank. Work is scheduled to begin next week. The existing 10,000 gallon tank will be replaced with one identical to Washington’s new 8,000 gallon tank. Installation of new doors in Southdown’s main corridor has been completed.
A new elevator is being installed at Jack Abrams Intermediate School (formerly Huntington Intermediate). Site demolition for the project has been completed, asbestos floor tiles have been abated, footings and foundations have been poured, plumbing and electrical work is ongoing and masonry work has begun. The elevator itself has been ordered and is expected to arrive in mid-September.
Replacement of the roof decking on top of the front awning at Woodhull Intermediate School has been completed. A fixed window in the principal’s office is also being installed.The awning over the entrance to the district administrative complex has been replaced.
Across the district, workers are in the process of upgrading HVAC units.
“We anticipate that this work will be completed by the end of August with the exception of the elevator installation at Jack Abrams Intermediate,” Mr. Grackin said about the numerous projects.
“Everyone is working hard and we are making steady progress,” said Alvin White, operations supervisor. “Summer is always hectic for us. We have to work around all of the summer programs, too.”
There are various school district and town related summer activities and programs in several of the district’s schools. “There are hundreds of kids in the buildings each day, so in many of the schools we have to get work done while the facilities are being utilized,” Mr. White said. “It’s an enormous challenge.”
By summer’s end, the interior of all buildings will have been washed, vacuumed and polished. Floors are being stripped and resealed. Windows and blinds are being thoroughly cleaned. Broken hardware is being repaired or replaced.
“Our facilities will be ready to go when school reopens in September,” Superintendent John J. Finello said.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office