Shenendehowa details Atria kindergarten center, 5 Maxwell renovation and phase plan for $85.5M referendum work

Board members received a multi-part facilities update on Nov. 18 that covered the district’s capital referendum work and the conversion of a donated office building (5 Maxwell) into district offices and an early learning center (Atria).

Cathy Limonchez and the facilities team reviewed the referendum funded work approved on 05/20/2025 and described a phased schedule that begins in 2026. Phase 1 prioritizes air‑conditioning installation at the middle school and high school west — the district’s only major buildings without central HVAC — with target sequencing that includes one year of construction and another year for commissioning. Later phases will address roofing, boilers, electrical distribution, security upgrades, asbestos abatement, stage rigging and conversion of spaces such as an entertainment production studio and a future CTE robotics area.

Staff also presented photos and progress for 5 Maxwell, a building the district received as a gift. Presenters described extensive in‑house salvage and refurbishment of furnishings and fixtures, and one staff member stated the district had saved "a little over $2,000,000" by reusing materials rather than contracting all demolition and salvage work. Projected move‑in to 5 Maxwell is targeted for next summer with occupied operations after Labor Day; the team said many rooftop mechanicals are staged and the generator and boilers are on site.

Two change orders for 5 Maxwell parking work were on the agenda; staff requested board approval to pursue a more permanent parking solution and noted that 68% state building aid will apply to that construction work. The board moved and approved the change orders.

Separate but related, Atria early learning center planning continued: staff reported an internal interest survey that identified 35 core teachers and additional support staff interested in assignments at Atria; family interest outreach produced hundreds of survey responses and advertising to 29,000 people via district communications. Transportation planning favors a shuttle model for on‑campus schools and direct routes for off‑campus schools; staff proposed a kindergarten day running roughly 08:20–14:15 and discussed YMCA before/after care options on site. Special education group programing will remain at Tesago while other self‑contained programs are under consideration for transition into the new kindergarten center.

Board members asked about schedules, SED approvals and logistic details; staff said they will continue to manage the timeline and report back with updates as vendors and installation timing firm up.