Extensive planning has begun for renovations and expansions that will take place as part of the $69.9 million bond approved by Amityville Union Free School District voters in March.

The Board of Education heard a report at its Aug. 10 meeting from representatives from BBS Architects and Park East Construction Management. They provided the first of what will be regular updates to the Board and the community on the status of the capital projects that will include improvements at all five schools.

The focus at the August meeting was on the high school, which will be expanded to accommodate growing enrollment and the addition of ninth-graders. Since the bond was approved, changes have been made to the floor plan of the new wing in the back of the building, which will include classrooms, science labs and a gymnasium with locker rooms.

The plan was reconfigured after taking into account suggestions from administrators, teachers and staff. While the overall size of the addition has increased, a more efficient design will keep construction costs the same. A second connection to the new wing from the second floor was also added to provide better flow through the hallways. 

The architects announced that the new wing would be completed before renovations to the existing building begin, including converting the old gymnasium into a music suite. Factoring in design time and New York State Education Department approval, the anticipated groundbreaking is early 2018.

Projects expected to take place next summer include window replacements at Northwest and Northeast elementary schools, masonry repairs to the façade of Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, and the construction of security vestibules throughout the district.

To view the presentation click here