Unused COVID relief funding from the federal government combined with funds not expended for the 2019 capital project are allowing the Pine Bush Central School District to complete additional projects throughout the district to upgrade facilities and safety.

“We have approximately $6 million from our federal COVID fund that must be spent by 2024,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Joseph Lenz. “In addition, there is $4 million in our capital project fund. We have projects that were bid as alternates at the commencement of the project in 2019 but weren’t started because there was a concern for adequate funding. Now, we will be able to do them because this money is available.”

The projects being done are ready to go; engineering had been done previously for all of the projects so there is no wait time or concern of not meeting the 2024 spending deadline for the federal funds. They all fall within the scope of what is allowed for the funding, according to Lenz.

Windows

Five of the seven school buildings will have window replacements– Circleville Elementary School, Circleville Middle School, Pakanasink Elementary School, Pine Bush High School and Pine Bush Elementary School.

Crispell Middle School and Edward J. Russell Elementary School already have updated windows.

Lighting

The lighting at the Pine Bush High School auditorium will be completed.

“Already, we have ordered $50,000 worth of stage lighting but we are looking to complete the lighting upgrade for the stage to enhance the performances,” said Lenz.

The high school auditorium is the largest gathering space in our district buildings. This upgrade benefits the arts programs in the district as many music concerts and drama productions take place in the auditorium.

Turf fields

The district will install two artificial turf fields at Pine Bush High School, replacing the main football field next to the high school and a field behind the building using federal grant funds. Artificial turf brings more versatility to the entire physical education and athletic programs since it may be used repeatedly without needing to be repaired, relined or reseeded after use.

The fields will be lined for four sports – soccer, football, field hockey and lacrosse.

Having these turf fields will help alleviate the need for practice fields, which are currently at a premium with three levels of sports happening at once – modified, junior varsity and varsity. In the fall, boys’ and girls’ soccer, football and field hockey teams at all three levels practice and compete each day. In spring, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse compete.

The fields will also allow more flexibility for physical education classes at the high school and the nearby schools, providing outdoor learning spaces as allowed by the federal funding.

 

Parking

More parking will be created at the high school/district office complex. A section of land in front of the district office will be paved, providing more parking and additional handicap spaces in closer proximity to the office.

 

Asbestos abatement

One wing of Edward J. Russell Elementary School requires asbestos abatement from its ceiling. As a proactive measure, the district is going to remediate the space before it becomes a concern and impacts students and staff. It is contained and safe but the remediation must be performed.

 

District-wide keying

The final project will encompass the security locks on all district buildings. District-wide keying has been discussed in the past and the plan is to provide safer access and more security in our buildings with one master key.

 

Lenz gave his report on these projects at the Aug. 23 board of education meeting where board members discussed the proposals and gave their consent. They discussed additional projects; however, supply chain issues and the lack of pre-engineering prevented them from meeting the federal deadline.

 “These projects will benefit all students in the district by upgrading facilities and improving security,” said Lenz. “I’m grateful for the fastidious oversight of our capital project, allowing us to save money where possible. We are grateful to have the federal funding to assist us with these projects that will benefit our students and our educational community going forward.”