Massapequa students got an extra dose of back-to-school excitement this week, as they returned to buildings and classrooms transformed by ongoing bond-funded renovations.

Wednesday, Sept. 6 was the first day of the 2000-2001 academic year in Massapequa Public Schools, and students made the fresh start in facilities marked by over $20 million in work that occurred over the summer.

"Everybody's very excited to get back into the buildings and see all the new renovations that have occurred over the summer," said Robert Schilling, administrative assistant and spokesperson for Massapequa Schools. "There was construction in 8 of the 9 buildings, and things were just going full force and straight ahead. So the difference between what your classroom may have looked like in June and when you come back to it in September, is significant."

The renovations, which are part of an approximately $50 million voter-approved bond project, included $11 million in new technology, plus new lighting, windows, boilers, doors, and refurbishment of such areas as the central offices, faculty lounges, and the high school gymnasium.

The district is still finishing hooking up the new technology, which, when completed in a few weeks, will include five computers in every classroom, as well as high-tech laboratories. The project has also placed a large screen monitor in every classroom that will enable district-wide presentations, such as speeches from the superintendent.

No new classroom space was added as part of the summer bond work, although Schilling noted that the district will continue to monitor enrollment growth, and analyze whether this is necessary. The student population continues to rise, and this year, Massapequa Schools opened their doors to at least 100 more students, according to an estimate by Schilling, who noted that exact enrollment figures will be available at the end of September.

In addition to the physical overhaul, Schilling noted that central administration, led by Superintendent Dr. Lawrence Pereira, who took over at the helm last year, is in the midst of a movement to improve the overall quality of Massapequa Schools. He noted, for example, that the district has hired a new assistant superintendent for curriculum, and has outlined a long-term plan for improving the schools based on six areas - construction, technology, public information, finance, facilities and human resources.

"We're introducing a gale into Massapequa," said Schilling. "There's significant change coming where we need to move ahead, and we need to go further into what we're doing, and we need to start now. Otherwise we're just going to be standing in stagnant waters."

Parents will have a chance to view the schools and meet their children's teachers and administrators during upcoming Back to School Nights scheduled for later this month. Massapequa Schools has scheduled Back to School Nights for parents on the following dates: Massapequa High School - Sept.19, Ames 9th Grade Campus - Sept. 14, Berner Junior High School - Sept. 20, Birch Lane, East Lake, Fairfield, Lockhart and Unqua elementary schools - Sept. 13, and McKenna Elementary School - Sept. 12.