School to open as work goes on

HEUVELTON — Despite several minor setbacks in its capital project, Heuvelton Central School will open on schedule Tuesday morning.

Superintendent Susan E. Todd said things might not be as tidy as usual, but the maintenance staff has worked diligently to ensure that classrooms will be ready to go.

"We will open on Tuesday. It might not be as sparkly as the staff usually gets it, but it's been quite a challenge for them to keep up with construction crews. They have worked hard, but there have been several classroom changes and they've been working around other people," she said.

Looking at the building a week ago, it did not seem possible the school would be back together in time, but Mrs. Todd said workers are making good headway and will soon have the building in working order. Construction will continue throughout the school year but will be limited to projects that will not endanger or disturb the learning atmosphere, she said.

While the majority of students will not be affected by the capital project, elementary pupils will be without lockers until early October. Mrs. Todd said the wrong lockers were ordered for the elementary wing and the correct lockers won't arrive until late September. The other lockers will be used to replace dated high school lockers that suffered water damage after the recent storm.

"Lockers that were to be replaced in the elementary hallways were measured wrong when ordered. When the lockers arrived, I immediately requested replacements that would be appropriate for elementary students. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that it takes six to eight weeks for locker companies to fill and ship new orders."

Another missing item in the elementary wing is the classroom cork boards that display students' work throughout the year. Mrs. Todd said new ones are not expected until mid-September.

Mrs. Todd said the construction has been a burden to much of the staff, who will begin moving in today and tomorrow.

"It's tough. Teachers generally have a lot more time to set up and get settled in, but we are all doing the best we can under the circumstances and we'll be ready to go Tuesday," she said.

Mrs. Todd said renovations to the main office will be completed over the next few weeks as well.

Outside, the new playground will be up and running in time for the Tuesday opening, but a portion of the old playground that is being fitted with a soft turf will remain closed until the materials arrive. Mrs. Todd said a grand opening will be held once the old portion of the playground is back up to code.

Parents are reminded that a new drop-off zone has been added for the elementary children due to safety concerns and are asked not to drop students off in the bus area.

"The new drop-off area is ready to go," Mrs. Todd said.