Howitt Expansion Timetable Delayed

Slowed by State approval pipeline

The move of Farmingdale's sixth grades into the Howitt Middle School has been postponed until September 2003 because expansion plans submitted to New York State last January have taken almost eight months to proceed through a state approval pipeline that at one time took only eight to 10 weeks.

In consultation with architects and construction managers, the Board of Education determined the necessity of pushing back the sixth grade transfer from the originally planned target of September 2002. "This will allow us to provide for smoother transition for the students," Board President Anthony Vitale told residents at the Sept. 12 school board meeting. The session was devoted mainly to discussion of work completed, underway and pending under the bond approved by voters in October 1999.

Director of Districtwide Operations Edward Cullen presented an update on the status of construction in all of Farmingdale's public school buildings.

* 40,000 square feet of space was added to the elementary school buildings, along with two elevators, cabling for technology and new security and fire alarms systems.

* High school fire alarm project, roof reconstruction and bleachers are finished and athletic field reconstruction is nearing completion.

* Middle school gym and cafeteria roofing projects are complete.

* Phase six of the districtwide electrical and cabling programs are complete.

* Contacts that have been awarded this month are for projects such as door and window replacements and air conditioning of three music areas at the high school.

Superintendent Roberta Gerold expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the elementary school buildings. "Think back a year ago, or even six or seven months ago," she said. "Now, here we are in September with classrooms and fields ready for the children."

Architects John Grillo and Christopher Hunt also spoke briefly, looking forward to working with the district on the Howitt expansion. "An eight-month State Education Department approval process is very scary," said Grillo, "but I'm pleased that, in spite of the delay, the (Howitt) bids we'll present to the board are within budget." The bid opening took place Sept. 10 for the Howitt addition.

Construction will begin at Howitt by mid-October 2001 and be completed by April 2003. Contracts will be awarded later this month. Cullen and Grillo told residents that there will be penalties for delays attached to the construction contracts, but that the extended timeline should allow for the work to be done well within its limits.

Trustee Jane Rubinstein called for the scheduling of appropriate discussion concerning middle school "programmatic issues and changes in schedule," and Robert Guarino said careful planning would be needed so there would be no adverse effects on the elementary schools due to the delay in the sixth grade move.

Board business was much abbreviated due to the previous day's terrorist attacks and the board's sentiment that "Farmingdalers should be with their loved ones during this time." Down the hall from the Howitt boardroom, counselors were available to speak to any families needing support, from 4-9 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 24 and once each week thereafter. Dr. Gerold reported that the district's crisis intervention teams had been fully activated, and that she had received numerous thanks from parents for the district's carefully considered procedures. On Sept. 11, staff members rode the buses with Farmingdale students, and teachers and support staff members in the schools were "models of composure," she said.

Offered Board President Vitale, "If there is anything this board or our administration can do for any members of our community, contact us and we'll gladly help you."