Awaiting state approval, Kings Park forced to delay school construction
By Jenna Lennon
Although Kings Park school district is ready to get to work, summer improvements have not yet begun due to delays from the state.
Phase two of the proposed five-year renovation plan for Kings Park is still waiting for approval from the State Education Department. The construction originally scheduled to begin in the summer months will now have to be extended into the fall and spring semesters even though plans were originally submitted back in October, 2016.
Tim Eagen, superintendent of the Kings Park Central School District, said the school will try to minimize possible inconveniences due to the construction as best as it can.
“We anticipate getting all the work done; probably not all of it done during the summer,” he said in an interview. “Some of it is going to extend out into the fall. Some of it we’ll do during shut downs during the course of the school year.”
Eagen said some projects will not be too difficult to complete during the year, but that’s not true for all.
“One of the pieces, for example, is a door replacement project that can just happen nights and evenings and weekends during the school,” he said. “Probably the biggest visual piece that’s going to be delayed is for the track and the field. We have a concession stand with bathrooms that’s planned. It’s looking like that’s going to flip to the spring.”
Like last summer, improvements have been planned for every school in the district. Here is a breakdown of the specific projects happening at every school.
Kings Park High School:
Track/field lighting
Concession stand with bathroom
Library media center renovations
Auditorium seating/flooring upgrades
Electrical distribution and switchgear
Emergency power supply
Parking lot pavement upgrades
Air conditioning for auditorium and main gymnasium
William T. Rogers Middle School:
Field irrigation
Locker room renovations: new lockers
Gymnasium renovations: bleachers and electric for blackboards
R.J.O. Intermediate School:
Asphalt and pavement upgrades
Interior renovations: flooring (including asbestos removal)
Auditorium upgrades: seating and flooring
Interior renovations: ceilings
Electrical distribution and switchgear
Park View Elementary School:
Asphalt and pavement upgrades
Masonry restoration
Interior renovations: flooring (including asbestos removal)
Door and hardware replacement
Electrical distribution and switchgear
Plumbing upgrades
Toilet renovations
Boiler upgrades
HVAC and controls
Updated July 18:
Egan said he received approval for RJO Intermediate School late last week, and Park View Elementary Monday, July 17.
“We are still waiting for final approval for the high school and middle school projects,” he said in a email. “They have passed the architectural review but still in the engineering review phase.”
