New update on 2024 capital improvement projects
With the new school year starting in less than a month, capital improvement work continues in the Auburn Enlarged City School District with intensive work ongoing at three buildings – Seward Elementary, Auburn High School and Auburn Junior High School.Roof work at Genesee Elementary and a new playground at Owasco Elementary is moving ahead as expected and should be set by the end of the month.
The capital improvement project at Seward Elementary, which includes a new drop-off area and 50-60 car parking lot, is progressing but may not be completed until after the school year starts. If that happens, the district will keep families informed via ParentSquare on drop-off and pick-up procedures. A new four-way stop will be in place at the corner of Mary Street and Metcalf Drive with no on-street parking in front of the school allowed between 7 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. The staff parking lot and bus loop will be repaved on time.
A recent water-main break at Seward damaged the building’s basement where hot water pumps and boilers will need to be replaced. The district’s insurance will pay for repairs and students should not be affected when they return to school. A new waterline is being installed in front of the school.
At Auburn High School, work continues on paving the staff parking lot and sidewalk work in that area has been completed. The drop-off area in front of the school will be repaved and new sidewalks installed before the start of the school year.
Inside the high school, more than 20 new air handling units (that cool and heat the building) have all been installed. The installation of a new floor surface in the library continues and is expected to be finished before classes start. The installation of a new floor outside the auditorium is also underway and is also expected to be completed by the end of August.
A new facility – a sound studio – that enables students to learn about music production is progressing and should be finished by the start of the school year.
At Auburn Junior High School, the building’s boilers have been taken apart, cleaned and reassembled. The installation of air conditioning in the building’s A section is underway and is expected to be completed by the start of the school year.
The biggest capital improvement project at AJHS is the construction of a new secure entrance with a vestibule and renovated main office. That project will not be finished until after school starts. Work continues as new sheetrock is currently being installed.
“We’re happy with the progress,” said Auburn Enlarged City School District Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Pirozzolo. “It may not look too good now, but we’re confident the majority of the work expected will be completed by the start of the school year.”