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Wantagh architect details summer renovations and flags costly decision on older school
Summary
District architect Michael Mark told the Wantagh Board of Education that bond-funded and capital projects completed this summer include bathroom and corridor renovations, masonry repairs and a gym floor; the board was warned that an aging building will require major code upgrades and a future, cost-driven decision on renovation vs. replacement.
Michael Mark, the district architect, told the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education that the first wave of bond- and capital-funded projects is complete and that the district is moving into its second construction phase.
"All of the projects under the bond have been submitted to state ed and already approved for permits," Mark said, summarizing permitting status and the move into construction. He listed summer completions that included bathroom renovations at Mandalay, Forest Lake and Wantagh Elementary; corridor ceiling and lighting upgrades; a renovated middle-school gym floor; masonry repairs around several buildings; and exterior work on the high-school bus canopy.
Mark described work still under way or about to be bid: elementary serving-line replacements scheduled for next summer, a high-school cafeteria overhaul with multiple seating configurations and outdoor areas, and a concurrent renovation of the high-school library/media center and adjacent rooms tied to a courtyard renovation.
On older facilities, Mark said one building will reach a "decision time" because of its age and design. He noted limits on using upper floors and a basement without bringing the space into current codes, including elevator access and additional means of egress — requirements the State Education Department enforces for renovated spaces. "Some buildings are easier to adapt than others," he said, and called the structure "challenging"; he warned that meeting code requirements would add significant cost and that the board would be presented with options and detailed facts before any decision.
District leaders told the board they intend, where allowed, to mitigate costs by purchasing eligible items on state contract during bidding. Mark credited district educational staff for design input on science and library spaces and said a new science lab is nearing completion and will support high-school science research programs.
The board did not take action on large renovation decisions during the meeting; Mark’s presentation concluded with the expectation that the district will return to the board with more detailed estimates and options.
