5-Year Repair and Maintenance Plan for Schools Unveiled

Update on Student Enrollment

by Joan R. Simon

(November 8, 2006) The district is facing a bill for repair and maintenance to its buildings and grounds ranging from $25 to $30 million, according to Assistant Superintendent for Operations Christine Grucci who presented the Mamaroneck School Board with a preliminary list of high-priority items that are being recommended as part of the next 5-year plan. Topping the list at the November 7th study session was a new heating system for the Hommocks – with a price tag of $8 million. When asked if this was a “necessary” expenditure, Director of Facilities George McNally answered yes: “It could go at any time.”

The Building Committee has been working for over a year with LAN Associates, the engineering consultants, to review the entire one million square feet of school property and buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old. The 5-year plan is required by the New York State Education Department (SED).

A $208,000 project would address rust at Central School. Photos courtesy of Mamaroneck Schools.

Other big ticket items in the 5-year plan include a boiler upgrade at Central ($2+ million); new roofs at Chatsworth ($500K) and the high school ($1.55 million); and bathroom renovations at Chatsworth, Murray and the high school ($1.75 million). All building will need repairs to their exteriors and surrounding grounds. Both the sidewalks and the parking lot at the Hommocks were on the list ($196K and $580K respectively).

School Board Trustee Rick Marsico, who is the liaison to the Building Committee, explained that the presentation was not comprehensive and other items may be added at a later time. Mr. Marsico explained that urgent repairs that cannot wait for the next bond will be included in the 2007-2008 school budget. Ultimately, the board will determine which items to include in a bond to be presented to the voters, probably in the 2007-2008 school year.

An estimated $500,000 is the cost of replacing the roof over the Forest Avenue wing at Chatsworth Avenue School.

A $3M Item: Mamaroneck Avenue School's Connecting Corridor

In addition to repairs, the Building Committee discussed the construction of a corridor at Mamaroneck Avenue School to connect the upper floors of its two older buildings at a cost of $3 million. Currently, the only connection between the two 3-story buildings is on the first floor. Celia Felsher, a Building Committee member and the past president of the School Board, explained that the connecting corridor was part of earlier renovation plans for the school that were included in the $49.7 million bond from five years ago (see: Major Construction Nears Completion at MHS). However, those plans were revised and the recently completed addition at MAS did not include the connecting corridor. (See: New Wing Opens at MAS). The corridor is now expected to be funded as part of the upcoming bond.

Space Committee Report: Unexpected Numbers in Kindergarten

Superintendent Paul Fried gave an update on the work the Space Committee has been doing to deal with the anticipated growth in the student population over the next 5 to 10 years (see: Study Predicts Murray will Outgrow Classroom Space). Murray PTA co-president Jennifer Conley voiced concerns over the need for both common spaces (such as those for gym, cafeteria, music or art) and additional classrooms as the population at Murray increases. She also noted the “traffic nightmare” that occurs around the school at drop-off and pick-up times.

Dr. Fried reported that the projections were “too low this year” for the kindergarten classes: 482 children versus an anticipated 362. The numbers were largest at Central and Mamaroneck Avenue. The other elementary grades throughout the district showed only a modest increase over expectations, and both the middle and high school numbers were very close to the target estimate.

A full report, including revised demographic estimates and recommendations for solving specific space problems, will be presented to the School Board at a public meeting in early 2007.

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