Capital project construction proceeds apace

Clockwised from top, newly constructed security vestibules at Increase Miller and Meadow Pond Elementary Schools.The new library and STREAM lab at Increase Miller Elementary School. New kindergarten classroom at Increase Miller Elementary School.  Exterior of new classroom wing at Increase Miller Elementary School. KLSD/TRITON CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

By JEFF MORRIS

The KLSD Board of Education was provided with an update on progress made in the district’s capital construction project, as well as expectations for the rest of this year, at its May 8 meeting. 

Superintendent Ray Blanch introduced the presentation by noting the summer months would be an opportunity to really “hit it hard” because kids would not be in school. The board heard from representatives of both Triton Construction and KG+D Architects.

According to the presentation, there is work going on at five schools, with Meadow Pond Elementary School approaching the end and Increase Miller Elementary School set to be completed at the end of the summer. Some work is ongoing at John Jay High School, along with John Jay Middle School and Katonah Elementary School. The HVAC upgrades at IMES and MPES, along with the new playground and new window project at JJMS, were completed last summer.

Work on the addition to IMES has been able to be ongoing during the school year because it is isolated from the rest of the school. Exterior structural steel has been completed, and framing of exterior walls began Nov. 24, 2024. Framing, insulation, exterior brick work and new roofing have been completed, and new rooftop air conditioning units are in place. Exterior doors and windows are installed in the new kindergarten classroom, and taping and prepping for paint has begun. Window installation for other new classrooms has also been completed. Work on the library and STREAM lab is complete, with carpets installed, and the rooms are being used while awaiting delivery of furniture.

At MPES, the library and STREAM lab were completed, with windows installed; a lot of work was done during the Christmas break. Other work that was completed was on Wingspace C, a special ed bathroom, and new kindergarten room.

New electrical switchgear — which regulates, protects, and isolates the power system — was installed at both IMES and MPES in cooperation with NYSEG.

Installation of windows and doors was completed in the new security vestibules at IMES and MPES, with work remaining to be done on floors and millwork; both are expected to be fully functioning by summer.

The security vestibule at JJMS is progressing, with the concrete slab having been poured and steel framing completed. Also nearing completion at the middle school are the home economics rooms, with tile work and painting done, and flooring in progress and lighting still to be done. The greenhouse being added at the middle school has framing and glass installation underway, although there were unforeseen delays due to an abandoned manhole being discovered, as well as asbestos that was found when wall panels were removed where it is to connect to the building. Those problems were dealt with, and work on plumbing and the building connection are continuing.

Also at JJMS, a new ADA lift was installed, new windows are in place, and the new accessible playground was completed and dedicated.

At John Jay High School, underground piping was discovered in the location where the footings and foundation for the new front security entrance were supposed to go; an alternative design solution was created, but that has pushed the work back a bit. A great deal of work is ongoing in the reconstruction of B wing, with structural steel and framing completed, and plumbing rough-ins installed.

Work is ongoing on the geothermal system installation at Katonah Elementary, with drilling taking place for the well field and start of work on the boiler room. The new security vestibule at KES, and the library and STREAM lab, are substantially completed.

Proposed work to take place this summer includes completion of the new heating and cooling system and substantial completion of the new addition at IMES; completion of the new heating and cooling system at MPES; ongoing work on the geothermal well field at KES; completion of the B wing at JJHS so that construction can begin on C wing; start of HVAC upgrades for high school buildings A-H, L, Q and N; and substantial completion of all work at JJMS.

Assistant superintendent for business Lisa Herlihy noted much of the work is taking place so quickly that some photos provided by Triton to show current construction progress were already out of date by the time of the meeting. She also pointed out that some of the bids that had come in for the work were above the budgeted amounts, and those overages were covered by the contingency funds that were included in the plan; she said there is still contingency remaining, but not as much as what was originally planned.

“We are hoping that the Inflation Reduction Act monies will still be available,” Herlihy said. “That will really allow us to go back and do some of the other items we wanted to complete.”