Work Ready to Start on MCS Building Project

MIDDLEBURGH - The school year will soon be coming to a close and work will be begin in earnest on Middleburgh Central School $8,1 million building project.

The project, which was approved by the New York State Education Department in January, includes major work on both schools, the bus garage, and a new playground at the elementary school. In March, school board members approved nearly $6 million in bids for the project.

Last week, MCS Superintendent Mark Place updated board members on the next steps in the project.

"We're in a very good spot," Mr. Place said.

He said:

* A virtual kick-off was held with prime contractors on March 30.

* Long-lead time items were identified. Doors and windows in the school-based health care center have been ordered. 

* The playground equipment for the new elementary school playground should be shipped to the vendor by the end of April. Sitework will begin the third week of May, weather permitting. A temporary road will be built from the parking lot to the playground area behind the school to prevent damage to the school lawn.

* Bus lift replacement will begin in late June. One lift has to be done at a time as it takes about one month for the cement to cure. The work should be done by the start of school in September or October.

* Replacement of the elementary school bleachers could begin before the end of the school year, depending on delivery.

* The Timothy Murphy Playhouse will be held at Schoharie school this summer as there will be upgrades in the auditorium.

* Plans are being discussed for the summer band, which is normally held on the high school entry. Work will be done on the pillars this summer. The band practices will remain in the band room in the high school. The district is working with Jean Cain and Mike Wilkens regarding the location of the summer band performances, but the location for that is still TBD.

The entrance will remain open through graduation, and then work will begin the following week. The front will remain closed until that portion of the project is completed later in the summer.

* The Middleburgh Advantage Program (MAP), which serves nearly 60 elementary students, will remain at the elementary school. The arts and crafts will continue to be in the lobby of the high school gym; however, the gym itself will be inaccessible for the summer. 

* The Joshua Project free lunches will be at the elementary school cafeteria.

In March, board members approved $5.91 million in contracts with contractors for work on both schools and the bus garage. The bids came in within budget and there was a lot of interest in the project, Mr. Place said.

Board members approved the following bids:

* Site construction: to HMA Contracting Corp. of Mechanicville, $796,000.

* General construction: Bast Hatfield Construction LLC, of Clifton Park, base bid of $1.4 million and four alternates for $155,000.

* Mechanical construction: Stants Combustion Associates of Latham, base bid of $340,000, and one alternate bid for $46,100.

* Electrical construction: Kasselman Electric Co. of Menands, base bid $1.2 million, and six alternates for $89,000.

* Plumbing construction: Tri-Valley Heating and Plumbing of Schenectady, base bid of $233,000 and alternate bid of $43,000.

* Bus lift replacement in the bus garage: Stertli-Koni USA of Stevensville, Maryland, $401,500.

* Elementary school bleacher replacement: Nickerson Corporation of Bay Shore, New York, $124,500.

* Elementary school playground equipment: Playcore Wisconsin of Fort Payne, Alabama, $726,000.

* Elementary school surfacing: Rubbercycle of Lakewood, New Jersey, $331,000.

A website page is being developed for the project and it will be especially important this summer when the construction starts.

The fate of the current playground at the elementary school, the Maze Craze, which was built by the community in 1989, still has not been decided. The new playground is to be build behind the elementary school on the former Little League fields.

Officials will wait until the new playground is open before making any decisions about the future of the Maze Craze, Mr. Place said in January.

The $8.1 million project was approved by voters last year. Construction is planned through October.

The project will utilize state aid and $2 million from the district's Capital Reserve Fund to pay for over a dozen facilities repairs and improvements. There is no additional tax impact.

Repairs and enhancements included in the capital project are focused on resolving current facility repair needs, preparing our infrastructure for future needs, improving safety for students and staff, and supporting community services in the buildings.

Repairs will include:

Junior-Senior High School

The Junior-Senior High School will undergo critical facility upgrades to preserve its historic integrity while improving safety, efficiency and accessibility. The main entry columns will receive structural repairs to ensure their longevity. The replacement of stage and attic windows with energy-efficient models will reduce energy costs. In the auditorium, updated lighting would modernize the space for both school and community events, while the restoration of a missing balcony seating section would expand access.

The building’s main roof will have gutter repairs to address drainage issues and deterioration of the gutter system. Additionally, an out-of-service bathroom in the cafeteria will be replaced with ADA-compliant facilities.

Elementary School

Renovations at the elementary school will focus on safety and accessibility. The gymnasium’s outdated bleachers, which have been unusable for years, will be replaced with a modern set featuring side rails and other enhancements.

Additionally, space will be expanded at the school-based health center. The new design will include the required wet and dry areas to ensure a safe environment. Bassett Healthcare services support student learning and participation in athletics with free well-care and some dental services.

A new playground at the school is also planned. The Maze Craze, built by volunteers in 1989, is a part of Middleburgh school history. Over 36 years later, modern safety requirements, including wheelchair accessibility, require the district to consider the diverse needs of students in different ways. The district will gather community input and construct a new playground on the former Little League field— that would meet current codes and create barrier-free experiences for every child.

An online petition continues to attract signers to save the Maze Craze playground at the elementary school. District officials are planning to commemorate, and then "decommission" the wooden playground in about two years, but signers of the petition are asking the district to save the playground. More than 653 people have signed the petition titled "Save the Maze Craze Playground-Middleburgh, NY."

Bus Garage Repairs

To ensure the bus garage remains safe and efficient, several upgrades are to be completed. Two bus lifts, which have already exceeded their life expectancy, will be replaced. A floor sealer would be applied to preserve the integrity of the floor. Additional drainage would be installed to prevent water intrusion, helping to protect both the structure and surrounding grounds. Conduit will be installed under the parking lot to prepare for state-mandated electric vehicle charging.