By David Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Central School officials are ready to move forward on an $8.1 million building project if voters approve it on May 20.
If the project is approved, Superintendent Mark Place said the construction management request for proposal closes on May 29 and it is anticipated that board members will award the contract at the June 11 meeting.
"Things are moving along," Mr. Place said at the board's April 9 meeting.
MCS officials continue to work on the project plans.
The district architects, SEI Design), have begun pre-referendum design work per board approval on March 12. In addition, the construction management RFP opens on April 29. The public hearing for the proposed budget and capital project will be on May 7 and the public vote will be on May 20.
At the school board meeting, Mr. Place said the design team had met twice on options for the high school cafeteria and other areas. Another meeting was held with Bassett representatives on plans for the school-based office.
In March, Middleburgh school board members agreed to put the building project proposition on the May 20 ballot and also approved the environmental assessment form required to proceed. Voters will also be asked in the same proposition if the district should take $2 million from the capital reserve to help pay for the project.
The use of the $2 million, and state aid, ensures that there will be no additional tax levy impact, officials said.
If approved, the work would begin in the summer of 2026. Bids would go out in February-March of that year with work to begin that summer.
The project will be split into two phases, the first in 2026 and the second in 2031 or later.
Following feedback from architects, engineers, and staff, officials revised the scope of work. The latest revision moves the electrical upgrade at the bus garage to a future project and allows the district to replace both bus lifts in 2026.
With the electrical upgrade eliminated in the bus garage, a second bus lift would be replaced at the garage and the high school roof drain and gutter would be replaced. The roof drain and gutter replacements had been put in a second project planned for 2031 but were moved up. The electrical upgrade at the bus garage was moved to the 2031 project. Fire suppression would also have to be done.
The capital project in 2026 would focus on urgent, high-impact areas and a future capital project, in 2031 or later, would address deferred needs as additional reserves are built.
The 2026 work may include:
Junior-Senior High School
* Gym columns.
* Main entry.
* Upgrades for windows replaced in 2001.
* Column repair in front of the school.
* Stage windows.
* Attic windows.
* Auditorium lighting.
* Bathrooms in the cafeteria.
* Replace roof drain .
* Replace Yankee gutter.
Elementary School
* Expanding the current school-based health center.
* Replacing the bleachers in the gym, which are in a state of disrepair and not being used this year.
* Adding an ADA-accessible sidewalk, along with lights and cameras for a new playground behind the elementary school or perhaps where the former Little League field was located.
Bus Garage
* Parking.
* Storm drainage.
* Seal the floor.
* Replace a new lift.
* Bus lift #2.
* Conduit.
In the 2031 (or later) phase, work could include:
* The elementary and high school roofs.
* The high school cupola.
* High school dormers.
* The two quoins on the front facade of the high school.
* Upgrade electrical in the bus garage.
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