CTE building 65% complete; locker rooms near Nov. 20 completion as district details bond‑funded projects

Jacobs project managers provided a progress and budget update on the district’s bond‑funded construction program, highlighting near‑term milestones for NFA locker rooms and continuing work on the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building.

Tom Rissentowler (Jacobs) said the NFA locker‑room renovation is scheduled for completion Nov. 20 and that “lots of progress has been made” with floor and wall tile, ductwork and support steels installed; doors, toilet partitions, painting and locker installation were listed among the remaining near‑term tasks.

On the CTE building, Rissentowler and Ben Ayling reported the project is roughly 65% complete with a targeted September 2026 opening. Recent milestones included gas beam completion, stair pours, roofing sections and the pulling of the main electrical feed by Central Hudson; transformer energization and elevator installation were scheduled for December. The presenters showed exterior and interior photos and noted the courtyard and natural light design features intended to serve students and program activities.

Ben Ayling shared budget‑tracking slides that included approved change orders to date and potential pending change orders across general, electrical and mechanical contracts. Ayling reported contract awards totaling roughly $26,000,000 for the bond projects (hard construction costs) and presented deltas compared with earlier estimates; the presentation noted ongoing close‑out work for several Proposition 5 mechanical upgrade projects.

Carl Thurnau, the district’s owner’s representative and a professional engineer, described his role as the district’s on‑site coordinator and advocate. Thurnau explained that because New York school projects often use multiple prime contractors, the owner's representative must ensure coordination and timely information flow to prevent delays or contractor claims. He described frequent site visits, participation in project meetings and daily email coordination.

Board members praised the presentation and reported positive reactions from statewide audiences after a recent district presentation at the NISBA conference. Project team members said they will continue arranging CTE site visits for students and CTE‑related learning opportunities as construction continues.