SCS Looking to Add New PA System, Boiler Conversion

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - In addition to a budget and school board candidates on their ballot, Schoharie school district voters are likely to see a proposition to install a new PA system in the high school and a fuel conversion for the boilers.

Superintendent David Blanchard spoke to school board members late last month about the needs that were revealed in a building condition survey. Most of the issues are up to date in the five-year survey though two are fairly urgent and cannot wait.

District officials will be getting costs for the replacement of the PA system in the high school and a conversion of the fuel system to propane and place a resolution on the ballot in May, Mr. Blanchard said.

Officials said there are funds in the capital reserve account and the work will most likely not require additional tax levy.

The current fuel oil tanks are in the ground and are more than 20 years old, Mr. Blanchard said. In the project, the tanks would be removed and the boilers would be converted to propane.

The replacement of the PA and bell system is sorely needed and very important to the campus, officials said.

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In other action, board members:

* Heard student representative Madelyn Bruno say that students brought up the issue of the heat in the auditorium during the Christmas concert last month when one student passed out and others were light headed.

Mr. Blanchard explained that it was the stage lights that were an issue making students feel hot. There was nothing unusual according to the music department. The temperature controls in the space are working appropriately. The people in the audience were comfortable according to the reports he received.