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New playground in the works at Theodore Roosevelt School
A new playground could soon adorn the front lawn of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, and school officials and Cheektowaga-Sloan Board of Education members are hoping all aspects of its installation go safely and according to plan.
Members of the Theodore Roosevelt Playground Committee and Parent Teacher Organization attended Tuesday's school board work session and gave positive updates on funds raised.
Theodore Roosevelt Principal Thomas Slaiman informed the board just over a year ago about the PTO's wish to replace the current 14-yearold playground along William Street. Since then, said Committee President Denise Isbrandt, the committee and PTO have raised $48,246.43. Part of those funds are contingent upon an $8,000 grant from New York State Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, an amount Isbrandt said hinges on the state's budget.
Isbrandt stated that Joe Basil Chevrolet donated $5,000 toward the project. Other funds raised through a 50/50 split raffle, a Friday "Jean Day" in the district, a "Pennies for Playground donation," candy bar sales, a "Walk for Playground" donation, West Herr Chevrolet hot dog roast, a Valentine's Day Sucker Sale in the district and other miscellaneous donations.
The entire amount to be raised by fundraising, Isbrandt said, is $51,746. Upcoming events include a "Pathways to Playground" brick sale to pay for a $1,000 layered path to a new playground; a rummage sale at Theodore Roosevelt with a goal of raising $1,500; and a $500 grant from the Bill Potienko fund.
Greg Wozniak, the playground building committee chairman, also spoke Monday, stating that the committee was hoping to have the current playground torn down by March 31. He added that discussions with Denzak Recreation Design and Supply Company, in coordination with Miracle Recreation Company, need to begin to get the project moving along.
"We have a couple of options," Wozniak said. "We can either have Miracle come in and do everything (planning and construction), send in a couple supervisors and construction equipment or just bring in one supervisor to oversee the project."
Wozniak added that the committee needs to place a work order 30 days prior to construction taking place. He noted that the committee would like a new, public playground installed April 26-27.
Superintendant of Schools James P. Mazgajewski and board members asked Isbrandt and Wozniak to provide a final drawing coordinated by the New York State Insurance Recaptacle.
"We'll get this done," Mazgajewski said. "The problem, as always, could be the weather....We'll get back to you soon."
School Business Administrator Kevin Ziemba said various insurance and liability issues need to be addressed before official construction approval is given by the board.
Slaiman said the same procedures are being followed with the new playground as with the current playground, which was installed in 1994. He added that surveillance cameras would be used at the new facility to help deter vandalism.
"The life of a playground appears to be about fifteen years," Slaiman told the Times. "It's nice that the playground will remain a community facility."
The principal stated previously that safety was a top concern of the committee in constructing the playground, listing rock walls, slides and items built close to the ground as parameters. Current "diggers" and monkey bars- on which students are suspended in the air without a protective catch- would be a thing of the past.
Slaiman reiterated Tuesday that the project is very much contingent on Gabryszak's grant. If the funds do not come through, the project will probably be delayed another year, according to Isbrandt.
In other action Monday, the board:
• Appointed Virginia Harrington as a two-hour food service helper for the John F. Kennedy breakfast program.
• Approved Nicole Leiboy's attendance of a conference sponsored by the New York State Band Directors Association, taking place March 7-9 in Syracuse. The cost of the trip is $1,000 plus mileage.
• Approved a $220,418.72 payment for the district's capital fund.
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