STEM Magnet School Capital Improvements Eyed

While the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School building might be the youngest in the Huntington School District, it’s quickly heading into middle age. District officials have identified a set of projects they hope will keep the structure sound for many years to come.

The building’s original windows and doors have been replaced in recent years and repairs to the exterior brick near the rotunda entrance have been made. A new elevator has also been installed. New building access controls have been put in place.

The STEM program currently enrolls 150 students in grades 3-5, but that figure is expected to grow next September with the addition of several sections of sixth graders. In addition to housing the STEM school a wing of the building is utilized by the district’s central administrative offices. Community groups also frequently use classrooms, the auditorium and gym outside of regular school hours.

District officials are eyeing the possibility of numerous future capital projects at the site including replacement of the security system ($23,549) and the public address and clock systems ($100,000), removal and replacement of the original fuel oil tank ($215,000), installation of a new water pressure booster ($75,000), ceiling replacement throughout the building ($450,000), drainage improvements ($34,000) and installation of wall padding in the gymnasium ($16,000).

Officials said that possible future projects also include replacing asbestos floor tiles ($350,000), replacing existing stage wiring and lighting ($23,000), replacing auditorium carpeting and lighting ($65,000), repairing concrete center courtyard and walkway areas ($85,000), renovation of the roadway, parking lot and sidewalks ($43,500), repairing and repointing masonry around the building ($104,000), replacing interior doors and locks ($125,000), recrowning athletic fields with topsoil ($260,000), installing cross-corridor fire doors ($75,000), repairing interior masonry cracks and removing folding partitions ($40,000) and accessibility improvements related to the Americans with Disabilities Act ($800,000).

The district hopes the current estimated cost of each project will fall once subjected to the bidding process. The public must approve the expenditure of all funds for each of the projects.

The district has been making improvements to its eight school buildings for many years, utilizing existing budget monies through a capital reserve fund authorized by voters. This practice has helped eliminate the need for borrowing and for subsequent interest expenses.