Teachers and union cite unsafe conditions after summer renovations; board vows accountability

Bill Hughes, president of the Education Association of South Orangetown, told the board that elementary in-service days at William O. Schaefer and Cottage Lane were "extremely challenging," citing construction debris and a mouse infestation that left many rooms not ready for staff. "The amount of construction debris, a mouse infestation at Cottage Lane Elementary were simply overwhelming," Hughes said, calling for better planning and follow-through from buildings and grounds and health and safety staff.

Special-education teacher Colleen Dowling described working in "unsafe conditions" when staff returned from summer, listing dust, fiberglass insulation, wires propped open, a saw blade in the gym, and a box cutter found on the playground. "We walked into an ongoing construction site... Construction debris, equipment everywhere, ladders in every hallway, wires hanging, a thick layer of dust on every single thing that we touched," she said, and urged the board to review photographs she and staff will submit.

Trustees and facilities staff acknowledged the problems, described steps already taken (exterminator visits and immediate treatments), and said they will seek remedies from contractors, including back charges where appropriate. The board discussed obtaining an itemized list of damaged or uncleanable equipment, reviewing contracts and legal options, and making operational changes for next summer — including requiring earlier turnover of classrooms and having cleaning crews follow contractor work daily. Trustees also said they will continue to monitor pest-control results and report back at future meetings.

No formal disciplinary or contractual outcomes were announced at the meeting; board members asked staff to document damages and return with an action plan and legal recommendations.