School Renovations Nearing Finish
The finish line is within sight as numerous summer renovation and repair projects are nearing completion in the Huntington School District. Workers are also scrubbing floors, cleaning classrooms, polishing hallways and moving equipment and supplies into place.
“We have been able to complete a great deal of work this summer,” Superintendent John J. Finello said. The projects have involved a combination of district employees and outside vendors. The months of July and August typically see a long list of facility related work tackled. This year has been no different.
One project that has not yet been able to move forward is the addition of two new classrooms onto Woodhull Intermediate School. “Construction is expected to take approximately four to five months and cannot occur until we receive State Education Department approval and go out to bid on the project,” Assistant Superintendent David H. Grackin said.
However, once the Woodhull project does get underway it will still be business as usual at the school. “Student use of the building will not be disrupted as the addition is at the end of the hallway,” Mr. Grackin said. The district has been waiting for months for the state to give the go-ahead for the work to begin.
Construction of two new science labs at Huntington High School continues on schedule as does the reconstruction of a deteriorating masonry wall on the east side of the cafeteria. Workers have installed new stairwell lights and are finishing up painting and installing new countertops on classroom shelving units. The high school tennis courts have also been repaired.
The reconfiguration of classroom space has been completed at Flower Hill Primary School. At J. Taylor Finley Middle School, the gym floor has been refinished, repairs have been made to the tennis courts and new office space has been created on the second floor.
The Jefferson Primary School gym floor has been repaired. New 8,000 gallon oil tanks have been installed at Southdown and Washington primary schools following the removal of more than half-century old 10,000 gallon tanks. Southdown has also seen the installation of new main corridor doors and Washington had certain classroom walls removed and classroom space reconfigured.
The roof decking on the Woodhull Intermediate School awning was replaced. A fixed window was also installed in the principal’s office there. The awning over the entrance to the district’s administrative offices at Jack Abrams Intermediate School was due to be replaced this week. HVAC equipment is being updated throughout the district this month.
Workers have also made preparations for a new elevator to be installed at Jack Abrams School. Site demolition has been completed, asbestos floor tiles have been removed, footings and foundations have been poured, plumbing and electrical work has been done, masonry work is ongoing and the elevator has been ordered. It is expected to arrive in mid-September.
“We’ll have everything set for the first day of school,” Mr. Finello said.
Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office