The Broadalbin-Perth Central School District will break ground on the third phase of its $39.7 million capital project this spring. During their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 27, members of the Board of Education accepted bids from contractors for work to be completed at the Perth campus, clearing the way for work to begin in April.
“After experiencing some delays, I’m thrilled that we’re moving forward on Phase 3 of our project and getting one step closer to realizing the vision for our schools that our residents supported when they approved this project in 2016,” said Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson.
The Perth campus currently houses B-P Intermediate School (grades 3-5) and B-P Middle School (grades 6-8). The goal for Phase 3 of the capital project is to complete the construction and renovations necessary to reorganize the district into a pre-K through grade 6 elementary school at the Perth campus and a grade 7-12 junior/senior high school at the Broadalbin campus.
“This reorganization is critical to the fiscal stability of the district for the next generation,” Tomlinson said. “When Phase 3 is complete and we have one elementary and one secondary school, we will realize greater operational efficiencies and be able to offer students more programs and opportunities. This step needs to happen for us to achieve all of the goals we presented in our strategic plan, ‘Innovate.’”
Work to be completed at the Perth campus to achieve that goal includes:
- Adding a “pod” of six new pre-K classrooms;
- Constructing a new entrance and main office;
- Renovating and reconfiguring classrooms in the parking lot wing to create new kindergarten classrooms;
- Renovating and expanding the cafeteria into space currently occupied by the middle school main office;
- Replacing the lighting and sound system for the existing stage in the middle school gymnasium;
- Renovating and adding windows to the existing intermediate school media center;
- Improving technology throughout the building, including upgrading the WiFi system, adding presentation devices to classrooms, and replacing the clock and public address systems;
- Installing a two-sided digital message board along County Highway 107;
- Making improvements to HVAC, mechanical, water and septic systems;
- Abating asbestos; and
- Installing new flooring.
Construction crews will begin work inside the Perth building during spring break, April 10-17. A public groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, to kick off construction of the two planned additions to the Perth building: the pre-K pod and new entrance.
Tomlinson said he expects the Perth campus to be closed for the summer for renovations. Renovations and construction will continue through the 2020-21 school year while classes at the Perth campus continue generally uninterrupted. Most of the planned work is expected to be completed by September 2021, when the Perth campus will reopen as the pre-K through grade 6 Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School.
Broadalbin-Perth will issue documents for bid in February for Phase 3 work to be completed at the Broadalbin campus; the district expects to open and award those bids in March.