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Somers board: phase‑one of capital project cleared for work this summer; playgrounds, track and HVAC upgrades planned
Summary
The board heard a capital‑project update explaining that phase one received state (SED) approval and that summer work will include playground replacements, track resurfacing, parking‑lot paving and HVAC/fire‑alarm upgrades; phase‑one cost estimated at $10–12 million of a roughly $64 million program.
The Somers Central School District Board of Education received a capital‑project update on May 26 outlining summer construction tied to a voter‑approved multi‑phase program. Chris Platania summarized available approvals, near‑term contracts and the scope of phase‑one work.
Platania told the board that the district has obtained New York State Education Department approval to proceed with phase one and that the district awarded multiple contracts at the prior meeting. He described the overall program as approximately $64 million, with phase one estimated at about $10–12 million and scheduled work concentrated this summer where feasible.
Key projects Platania highlighted include playground replacements designed for accessibility and inclusion, resurfacing the high‑school track, paving of parking areas, upgrading select HVAC and fire‑alarm systems (lead times may push some elements into later breaks), and lighting/turf improvements on athletic fields. He said the district worked with architects and construction management (H2M, Triton) and engaged students and third‑grade art so playground themes reflect student input.
To limit student exposure to on‑site construction and bus routing impacts, the district will relocate the Extended School Year program to Primrose for the construction window. Platania said contractors are coordinating around municipal work that will affect site access at the middle school; several outdoor projects will be visible through the summer and the administration expects to report back with before‑and‑after photos in the fall.
Platania described phase‑two planning as underway and said the district expects to submit phase‑two documents to SED later in the summer, contingent on SED review timelines and subsequent bidding. He emphasized that some long‑lead mechanical items (e.g., boilers, HVAC) will be ordered early and scheduled during breaks where possible.
The board did not take a separate vote on these routine project updates at the meeting; prior contract awards were recorded at an earlier meeting and referenced in Platania’s update.
Next steps: continued stakeholder committee work, summer construction coordination, and a formal fall update with photos and progress reporting to the board and community.
