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Maryvale voters OK construction project
Major changes to the main campus of Maryvale schools are expected to begin next year after voters last week overwhelmingly approved a $34.7 million bond issue to fund a capital improvement project.
The bond issue passed, 691-150, a more than 4-to-1 ratio.
"We're very pleased with the result," said Maryvale Superintendent Gary L. Brader, "and very appreciative that the community came out and supported the project."
Parents and local businesses aggressively lobbied the public to support the project. As an example, copies of a 16-page summary of the project were available at Carl's Superette on Dick Road.
Brader said he hopes that construction could begin next summer, with "the bulk" of the work completed by September 2008.
Several steps must occur before construction begins.
The first step is approval of the bond resolution by the Board of Edu- cation, which is expected to occur during the board's November 27 meeting.
Following board approval, construction plans must be finalized. Brader said that the project's architects, DiDonato Associates, met with him on Monday and will soon meet with the staff to discuss classroom design.
Because Maryvale's classroom sizes do not meet current New York State standards, Brader said teachers' input is vital.
"We're going to have brand-new science instruction space," Brader said. "Let's talk to the teacher who teaches chemistry, who knows what kind of lab table configuration makes the most sense in today's science lab. That's the kind of thing we're looking at."
DiDonato Associates will compile the plans, specifications and other details for submission to the New York State Education Department. Brader said he hopes that the plans will be forwarded to the state by March.
"Obviously, things depend on how quickly the State Education Department responds to our submissions and provides approval," Brader said. "We are hopeful we will get that approval sometime in the spring."
Once the district receives approval from the state, it can advertise for construction bids.
The board of education will also likely decide in spring 2007 if it will hire a "clerk of the works" for the project. A clerk of the works serves as a liaison between the district and the contractors.
Maryvale High School, which was built in the early and mid 1950s, will benefit most from the project, which includes $21.4 million for its two buildings.
A new science wing will be built on the second floor of the 9-10 building, and renovations will occur in all departments including English, Art, Music and Technology, Math and Social Studies, and Business and Languages.
Changes in the athletics area include a new natatorium with an eight-lane swimming pool, fitness center and locker rooms. There will also be public access for after-school hours.
Major stadium improvements include expanded bleachers with improved handicapped accessibility, an expanded press box, lights, a new eight-lane all-weather track and new scoreboard.
Work at the intermediate and middle schools will consist primarily of health, safety and welfare-related projects.
Renovations and reconfiguration of the guidance, speech and main offices at Maryvale Primary school, as well as library expansion are key elements of improvements in that building.
"If we can get started this summer, we hope that the bulk of the work would be done by September '08," Brader said.
The superintendent noted that construction will take place during the 2007-08 academic year. Some building wings could be closed to students and staff during construction.
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