New spaces highlighted at board meeting

New security vestibule is ready at John Jay Middle School. New skylights in the B Wing at John Jay High School. New classrooms at Increase Miller Elementary School. New culinary rooms at John Jay Middle School.

By JEFF MORRIS 

In the latest progress report on the district’s capital project, representatives of architects Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson and Triton Construction, along with Director of Operations & Maintenance Michael Lavoie, appeared at the Sept. 18 Board of Education meeting.

Most of the update was provided by Lisa Herlihy, assistant superintendent for business, who displayed photos of the work that was completed in all buildings during the summer, as well as of work that is ongoing.

The most substantial work was done at Increase Miller Elementary School, with three new kindergarten rooms already opened as part of a new addition. There is also a new courtyard and outdoor seating, with small group instruction rooms soon to be completed.

A new security vestibule at John Jay Middle School was ready to open, along with new culinary rooms, a greenhouse, and renovated bathrooms.

New seating, ceiling and carpeting have been installed in the John Jay High School auditorium. The B Wing has been completely rebuilt, with a new learning commons, collaborative workspaces, and outdoor classroom, the addition of skylights, and new restrooms. JJHS has also gotten improvements to other spaces, including the cafeteria and teachers’ workroom, and new special education offices. Construction of a security vestibule was delayed by the discovery of underground pipes, but is now proceeding.

Herlihy also showed photos of the new library and stream lab at Katonah Elementary School, where work was also done on HVAC infrastructure in the ceilings, while geothermal wells are in the process of being dug.

Window air conditioners were also installed in the elementary schools to comply with new heat index regulations. 

According to Triton Construction, much of the remaining work, including a security vestibule at Meadow Pond Elementary School and the rear connecting corridor for the addition at IMES, was in the final stages of completion and would be ready to be turned over to the district right after Rosh Hashanah.