Facilities Committee Presentations
Facilities Committee Presentation 02-12-24
Facilities Committee Presentation 12-14-23
Facilities Committee Agendas
Facilities Committee Minutes
Facilities Committee Minutes – 12-14-23
Facilities Committee Minutes – 10-19-23
Capital Project News
Facilities Committee shares details of Building Condition Survey, continues discussion of proposed 2024 capital project vote, more
March 7, 2024
During a recent meeting of the Warwick Valley Central School District Facilities Committee, attendees delved into crucial topics affecting the district. The three main topics discussed during the meeting were:
- WVCSD Building Condition Survey
- Proposed 2024 WVCSD Capital Project vote
- Security upgrades to WVCSD buildings
All of these topics touch on improving school facilities, which is an often-overlooked means to improving student health, safety and academic outcomes. A primary focus was the comprehensive WVCSD Building Condition Survey. The Facilities Committee shared intricate details of the ongoing examination (conducted every five years) aimed at assessing any necessary upgrades to all district buildings. The survey is a collaborative effort, drawing insights from the diligent WVCSD Buildings & Grounds team, our district engineer, and external consultants.
The evaluations encompass not only the main school structures – Sanfordville Elementary, Park Avenue Elementary, Warwick Valley Middle School and Warwick Valley High School – but extend to the Pine Island and Kings school buildings, the Transportation Garage, the Maintenance Building and Albert Wisner Public Library.
The Building Condition Survey has been a meticulous examination aimed at identifying the structural and environmental needs of district buildings, while also helping ensure that any required renovations or improvements are strategically planned and executed.
The meeting delved into a potential Capital Project that was previously discussed in this article from December 20, 2024. New information at the Facilities Committee meeting shed additional light on specific projects integral to the district’s future. These included essential upgrades such as enhancing the HVAC system in the “new gym” at the high school, installation of new roofing at numerous properties, and replacing the central electric panel at the high school.
The importance of school security was also on the meeting agenda. Specifically, making upgrades to building entrances, which would include the hardening of internal and external doors and windows to prevent intrusion. Financial matters were also discussed, including funding models for the upgraded security measures. As always, the Facilities Committee has been thorough and thoughtful in seeking a balance between district needs and managing financial considerations.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Leach, also took a moment to provide an update on the BES owned by Convergent West Warwick LLC, a subsidiary of Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent).
Dr. Leach shared that he has been in contact with Convergent CFO and Co-Founder Frank Genova in regards to the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) failures that occurred on June 27, 2023 at two facilities. One facility is adjacent to the district’s Transportation Garage on County Route 1, and the other is on Church Street, which is private property. Warwick Valley Central School District leases the County Route 1 location to Convergent Energy. The modules, manufactured by the company Powin, are owned and operated by Convergent.
During his update, Dr. Leach said that in consulting with Orange & Rockland (O&R), that O&R would like the system at Site 1 to be back online a month or two before peak power season – the end of the school year through August – and are aiming for late spring 2024.
Dr. Leach added that Powin has accepted all recommendations from Convergent, and has made proactive adjustments. Powin is enlisting a third-party consultant to oversee subsequent design and testing phases, with each module undergoing stringent testing and validation of product modifications, with particular emphasis on upgrades to prevent water infiltration.
The District’s own consultant in this matter, VERTEX, has been invited to participate in the process, and Mr. Genova has deemed this collaborative approach to be optimal. Convergent continues to reimburse the District for all expenses incurred. Finally, Dr. Leach shared that Mr. Genova will attend the March 7, 2024 WVCSD Board of Education meeting to elucidate.
Facilities Committee discusses potential capital project work that may be placed before voters in 2024
The Warwick Valley Central School District Facilities Committee met on Thursday, December 14, to discuss the necessary capital improvement work that was identified by the District’s Engineer in the current Building Condition Survey that will need to be addressed in the next couple of years. They also discussed the potential for a capital project community vote in 2024.
Work the committee is considering includes replacement of some roofs on buildings, hardening of internal and external doors and windows in buildings to prevent intrusion, and replacement of the main electrical panel at the high school.
The district has been making ongoing efforts to replace older roofs or sections of roofs of its buildings. The roofs that are in poor condition and need replacement include a partial roof at the high school, a partial roof at Park Avenue Elementary School, the full Pine Island building roof, a partial roof at the Kings building, and the roof over the school district offices.