A nearly $65,000 change order for construction on the Greener, Greater Grove project was approved by the East Syracuse-Minoa school board last week to cover unexpected costs associated with asbestos abatement.
“Although it exceeds the budget threshold, there is really no way we could have foreseen this sort of problem arising,” Todd LaBarr, of Watchdog Building Partners, said in his presentation at the Oct. 20 school board meeting. “It was a necessary change that needed to be fixed.”
LaBarr said asbestos was discovered in two areas during the gutting process, one that cost about $35,000 and the other that cost about $30,000 for removal.
The “Greener, Greater Grove” project will cost $29.4 million and was approved by residents in December 2012. Approximately 75 percent of the project cost will be covered by state building aid. Renovating the middle school with “green” standards is one of the reasons for the project.
Renovations will include the replacement of core infrastructure within the building such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, as well as the addition of a 12,000-square-foot performing arts center and community café. Construction is planned to be completed in spring 2016.
Donna DeSiato, superintendent, said this change order should not have any effect on the overall project.
“Asbestos is one of those things that comes up in any sort of construction project. With older buildings, we have to expect they had used building materials that were acceptable back then but may not be acceptable now,” Desiato said. “There will be unperceived conditions that we have to address.”
DeSiato also said there will be regular updates from the construction management and architects who are working on the project in order to keep people informed and keep the project on track.
Also at the meeting:
—An inter-municipal agreement was reached with the village of Minoa to allow students at Pine Grove East to use Rees Field for sport practices. Deputy Superintendent Tom Neveldine said the reason was to provide seventh grade students a place to practice for school sports because they are currently displaced in the old St. Mary’s school, which does not have sport fields, while construction is occurring for the “Greener, Greater Grove” project.
“It’s a win for the district, because now the kids will have a place to practice while construction is done on Pine Grove middle school,” Neveldine said.
—The board discussed the budget calendar for the 2015-16 year. The budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 11, and the vote to approve the budget will be on Tuesday, May 19. The Board of Education will vote on the approval for the budget calendar at their next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 3.
—Kieran O’Connor, executive director of planning, development and technology, presented an update to the technology plan. He said the plan had five major focus areas which are essential competencies for students, seamless virtual sharing environment, equipment and infrastructure, staffing and support systems and professional development.
O’Connor said ES-M is eligible for about $2.3 million in bonds for technology aid from the state if the Smart School Bonds Act is passed during the election. He said with this technology plan, the district will most likely be in good condition to apply.
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
