A panel of village residents, parents and school employees are exploring the long-term facility needs of the Menands School.
The 15-member Facilities Committee, which began its work in late November, is planning to make recommendations to the Board of Education this March. Any projects the committee puts forth could go before voters in May, Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said.
“The committee is analyzing everything from building conditions to program needs and student needs and looking at it through the lens of addressing those needs while considering the impact on our taxpayers,” she said.
The superintendent said that work was completed last year on upgrades to the school, but noted that those upgrades were originally part of a project approved by voters in 2016 that had to be delayed due to project costs skyrocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Like everything else during COVID, the prices of work and materials increased dramatically, and we had to delay the work. But, unfortunately, the work couldn’t be delayed any further and it was imperative we complete it,” she said.
That project entailed roof replacement, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration system upgrades and repaving of the campus driveway and parking lots.
As to any future work, Cannavo said that the committee is exploring all options and needs that will meet the future demands of the ever-changing education system and school district.
“The next chapter has yet to be written, but we want to make sure that when it is written, we are prepared and ready to help our students excel,” she said.