Speaking for Valley Stream's school buildings

District 13 Board of Education trustees and members of the public got a look at nearly $1 million in potential repairs and upgrades at the four schools during the annual building tour last Saturday morning, and also were able to see some recently completed projects.

With district officials already starting to plan for the 2011-12 school budget, the tour gave insight into what repairs need to be made to keep the buildings safe and to make the facilities more efficient. Board of Education President Frank Chiachiere and trustee Bill Stris represented the board, which will have the final say on what projects are included in next year’s budget, and what projects will have to wait for another time.

At the top of the list is a new roof over part of the west classroom wing at the Willow Road School. Half of the roof was replaced last summer and the $101,000 would be needed to finish off the rest of the wing.

Also on the list is $78,000 to replace the blacktop for the handball court at Howell Road School. District officials say the court is sinking and should be repaired. Assistant Superintendent for Business Meredith Brosnan said that when the school was built in the early 1950s, trees and other vegetation were cleared from the land, buried there and paved over. Eventually, it settled enough to cause the blacktop to sink in some spots.

District officials are also seeking $453,000 to replace all the blacktop at the Wheeler Avenue School, including the staff parking lot and play area. Some money was already set aside last year for the project, which is expected to top $600,000.

Each principal took district officials and members of the public on a tour of their building, highlighting completed projects, as well as needs for next year. Willow Road School Principal Stephanie Capozzoli requested that the upper walls and ceiling of the gymnasium be painted. “This is my ninth year,” she said, “and it hasn’t been painted since I’ve been here. It just a needs a fresh coat.” Howell Road Principal Frank Huplosky and James A. Dever School Principal Darren Gruen also had the same request for their buildings.

As much of the district’s space is from the 1950s, several similar projects are being considered at each building. Over the past few years, sinks and cabinets have been replaced in several classrooms and the principals are seeking to have that work done in every room. Additionally, district officials are planning to continue replacing bathroom stall partitions.

At Willow and Howell, the principals asked to have the exterior doors replaced at the main entrance. The doors are each building are original, and the principals say they would like doors similar to those installed at the Dever main entrance and Wheeler gym entrance which have more glass and would not need regular repairs.

Huplosky said he would like to have the flag pole repainted outside of Howell Road School as it is visibly rusty. This project would cost about $1,700.

Wheeler Avenue School Principal Christine Zerillo took the opportunity to show off the pair of new windows that were installed in the auditorium during the summer and expressed her desire that two more could be added in the future. To further enhance the room, she asked to have the floor painted, as it is chipping in many spots. She is also seeking some new cafeteria tables and new faucets for the cafeteria sink.

Gruen said he would like to have a soccer field added at Dever by converting a baseball field. He explained that a backstop could be taken down and the infield dirt seeded over, plus have two goal nets purchased. “We’d like to have a place for our children to play soccer,” he said, noting that the school would still have two other baseball fields.

Brosnan announced that the district is considering an energy performance contract later this year. Items could include the replacement of all boilers in the district as well as lighting upgrades, window repairs and installation of automatic controls for heat. She said a formal presentation would likely be in March.