Greenville Central School District’s most recent Capital Project is approaching completion, with all remaining work expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.
Approved by voters in December 2022, the $14.48 million project focused on essential facility improvements across the District. The initiative was originally developed under the leadership of former Superintendent of Schools, Tammy Sutherland, who retired in 2022. The project began in 2021 after stakeholders identified key areas in need of attention. Since then, it has been carried forward by Superintendent Michael Bennett and Assistant Superintendent for Business, Todd Hilgendorff.
Improvements at the elementary school included creating a first and second floor corridor connection between the east and west wings to ensure student safety in the event of an emergency. These new corridors are in the place of the art and music rooms, which were relocated to accommodate the corridor construction and enable safety enhancements in both rooms. The classrooms in the front wing were renovated with new sinks, cabinetry, furniture, lighting, ceilings, fans, fresh paint, whiteboards, tack boards, and technology. The UPK classroom was expanded and now has an in-class restroom. An undersized classroom in the front wing was enlarged, a new art room was created on the northeast side of the building, and a music suite, as well as two new bathrooms, were built in the place of the old multipurpose room. A new gymnasium was constructed off the northwest corner of the building. Thanks to this addition and the relocation of the art and music rooms, new flex spaces were created for learning and working. The 30+ year old boiler was replaced, and areas of the roof were repaired that were past warranty (the addressed areas have a new 20-year warranty). Univents in the upgraded classrooms were replaced, as the previous ones were over 40 years old. Additional electrical receptacles were added throughout the building to keep up with the growing demand of technology use in teaching and learning. Additionally, exterior areas of deteriorated bricks, mortar, and stone details were restored.
At the middle and high schools, the art suite was expanded with a new addition and renovations to existing classroom areas. The roof was repaired (the addressed areas have a new 20-year warranty), the metal shop received a new ventilation system with the addition of an exhaust fan and controls, asbestos was abated in the floor of the band room, and exterior areas of deteriorated bricks, mortar, and stone details were restored.
“Capital projects are vital to preserving our history while propelling our students forward,” said Hilgendorff. “We’re coming up on the 100 year anniversary of the Scott M. Ellis Elementary School building. It’s a point of pride to know that our students walk the same halls as those who attended Greenville nearly a century ago. Thanks to our voters, those halls will remain for generations to come.”
In addition to the main projects, several “alternate scope” items were completed thanks to careful financial management. All doors and hardware at the elementary school were replaced, or are being replaced, before the end of the calendar year. A new copy center was created, the guidance office was relocated to a larger room, and a new staff restroom was installed in its place. While the bulk of the work is complete, contractors are expected to remain on site for the next few weeks to finish cosmetic punch list items.
Capital projects take an incredible amount of time, care, and planning. Superintendent Bennett said it will likely be some time before another large-scale capital project is proposed to voters. “Future projects could include renovating the remaining classrooms at the elementary school, completing HVAC work in the middle/high school auditorium and cafeteria, and preparing for EV bus infrastructure,” Bennett said. Although the EV bus infrastructure is dependent on the timeline that the State sets forth, Bennett shared, “we still need to be prepared.” However, before another project is proposed, a Building Conditions Survey will take place, and the District Facilities Committee will work together to assess future building needs and priorities.
“We are incredibly grateful to our voters for continuing to support our students and the work we do,” Bennett said. “Capital projects help us keep our schools running safely and efficiently, and we couldn’t do it without the community’s trust and support.”
