June 20, 2011
Construction
on the capital project at BKW is currently slightly ahead of schedule
and still under budget, as workers labor day and evening to renovate the
school.
Faculty and administrators have been diligent in limiting the impact of construction on the day-to-day activities and classes of the students.
“We appreciate the parents’ understanding when it comes to elements we can’t control, such as the weather,” Secondary School Principal Tom McGurl said. “We are making sure we’re meeting the needs of the students in phys ed and other areas during this transition.”
Once school is out for the summer, the high school building will be closed. During this time, the high school guidance and administration offices will be relocated to the first floor of the middle school.
When school resumes in the fall, the new weight room is expected to be open. The gym is slated for completion in mid fall.
“Parking is still going to continue to be a crunch for students,” McGurl said.
The construction is part of a $12.7 million capital project approved by voters in 2007. The main impetus for the renovations was to bring the building into compliance with New York State’s handicapped accessibility laws. The project cost is currently $1.4 million under budget. The plan bonds $2,028,780 over 15 years, costing the district taxpayers an average of $6 per year. Included in the high school portion of the project are:
• Heating and electrical upgrades
• A new secondary school gymnasium
• A new technology room
• A new handicapped-accessible cafeteria
• A new guidance office and conference room
• A new art room
• New locker rooms
• New gym stairs
• Conversion of the old boys locker room to a weight room
• Conversion of the old technology room to a new library/media center
• Conversion of the old girls locker room to a lobby for the new gym
• Upgrades for restrooms
In the elementary school, a new access hall is being built, storage space is being created and restrooms are being renovated. New playground equipment has been installed.
Construction is expected to be fully completed
by September 2012.
District HOME
