Survey says school district buildings need $21.7M – Rome Sentinel

Published Feb 22, 2017 at 4:10pm

DAVE GYMBURCH

Staff writer

Estimated capital construction expenses of $7.845 million for Rome Free Academy and $3.145 million for Staley Upper Elementary are among potential projects in a review of needs for Rome school district buildings.

RFA, Staley and RFA Stadium are among sites to be focused on as the school district continues down the road of reinvesting and updating its facilities, says Chris Crolius, a partner in March Associates, the districts architect.

The needs at the stadium include turf replacement and track reconstruction.

A possible longer-range project would involve about $4.45 million in additional work at Strough Middle School, beyond a current $25.4 million renovation that is underway, said Crolius.

RFA, Staley and Strough comprised the majority of the overall $16.7 million in projected expenses in a building condition survey report that Crolius summarized for the Board of Education last week. When various related contingency expenses and incidental costs are included, the total projection is about $21.7 million.

The survey is conducted every five years and required by the state to help districts with long-range planning of renovation projects. The survey addresses capital expenses anticipated through 2020-21 excluding maintenance.

No work was identified for the districts six elementary schools for grades K-4, which all have undergone major renovations within the past 10 years through publicly approved bonding referendums. The project costs have been heavily reimbursed through state aid.

From the report, nothing is of an emergency nature. Nothing has to be done right now, board President Paul Fitzpatrick said after the meeting.

At some point the district may seek to put out a referendum for the projects, he added, but he does not see it happening this year.

Crolius called the report a working document...kind of a drive-by evaluation of facilities. He added a lot of dialogue needs to take place on the report including with the school boards buildings and grounds committee. It obviously needs to have your input, he told the board.

Among the findings of anticipated expenses:

RFA No unsatisfactory items were identified, but some building features and systems are nearing the age for replacement/upgrade; the RFA facility at Griffiss park opened in 2002.

A roofing project should be considered for the pool roof and other areas. Also, flashing should be addressed in an area which has experienced leaking, the report observed. Further sidewalk and pavement replacement also was called for.

In addition, various surfaces like gym floors and the running track are nearing the end of their useful life, according to observations. Also identified were a number of mechanical and electrical items, including the auditoriums lighting systems which have recently had issues.

For the separate RFA Stadium support facility off Turin Street, improvements there would need to be done in conjunction with a project at the RFA school in order to receive state aid, the report said. It estimates $720,000 for needs at the stadium support facility area.

Staley No unsatisfactory items were identified, but areas to be addressed include upgrades for locker rooms, plus various flooring-related needs along with miscellaneous mechanical and electrical upgrades. Further pavement/sidewalk replacement is needed.

The district will likely be focusing on RFA and Staley as the next buildings to undertake capital projects, as a result of aidability and needs, the summary said.

Strough Items not in the current renovation project include masonry pointing, additional parking/paving, and window replacement. The site would not be eligible for further state building aid within the next five years once the current project is completed, the report added.

Overall, the building condition survey evaluates building components and systems, but not the requirements that may be needed to address shifting populations, new technology or educational program changes, the summary said.

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Survey says school district buildings need $21.7M - Rome Sentinel