Three capital improvement projects which are to take place at Farmingdale High School likely will begin later than planned.

Renovations were expected to begin June 10 at the library, auditorium and lecture hall, but the groundbreaking may have to be pushed back because the State Education Department (SED) has delayed approving the projects, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business John Lorentz.

"We would need a lot of luck to get the program expedited by June 10," he said at the May 1 Board of Education meeting.

An application was sent in late February to the state, Lorentz said. Although he admitted the SED could take up to 20 weeks to decide on the fate of a grant, Lorentz said he asked for a prompt decision on the matter.

"It's one they can get done quickly," he said. "But I'm sure many other schools are asking for fast responses also."

School officials hoped to get the projects underway next month in order to complete much of the work during the summer months. Summer renovations would be the least intrusive for students. Capital improvement projects cannot begin without SED approval. Lorentz did not give an estimate of when he expected the SED to decide on the grant.

At the meeting, the board also approved a change order that means $12,319 will be tacked on to other capital improvement projects. The additional moneys will be used for many items, including installing "T-1," or high-speed Internet access lines, at area schools and for installing 12 dry wells as mandated by the SED. District Director of Operations Ed Cullen explained the changes were not due to any architectural error and the funds were important to ensure a prosperous future in the school district. The total for all capital improvement projects included in the proposed 2002-03 budget is $1.5 million. Other projects will include athletic field renovations at Albany Avenue and Woodward Parkway Elementary School at a cost of $150,000 and ceiling and light replacements for a fee of $250,000. A public hearing will take place May 14 to discuss the budget. The annual budget vote will take place May 21 at Howitt East Gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.