Trustees Approve Final
EXCEL Projects
Since Huntington School District voters authorized the expenditure state EXCEL program funds in May 2007, wide-ranging renovation and reconstruction projects have been completed in all eight school buildings. Trustees recently approved a final round of work, which will be paid for by the district’s share of remaining unexpended monies.
The EXCEL (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning) program represented a one-time infusion of state funds to districts across New York. “Since that time we have designed, approved, bid and completed some eighteen projects amounting to $1,287,898,” said David H. Grackin, assistant superintendent for finance and management services.
The state legislature provided these funds to districts across the state for capital projects in the areas of health and safety, accessibility, physical capacity expansion, energy or education technology. Huntington’s allotment amounted to $1,359,070.
With $71,172 left to spend, trustees approved Mr. Grackin’s recommendation to use the remaining funds on security measures at Huntington High School, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Jack Abrams Intermediate School.
Electronic exterior door access controls will be installed to further tighten security at the three schools. Such work has been recommended by Federal Shield, a security consulting firm hired by the district. Similar controls were installed last January on two doors at Jack Abrams School when a relief point was established there for Suffolk Police.
The district’s architectural and engineering firm, BBS, will now develop designs for the work and submit the project to the State Education Department for its approval.
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