There are a number of construction projects taking place throughout Mineola Schools this coming year, funded by the school budget and referendum approved by the community. The district is dedicated to the task of keeping residents informed about these capital projects through a series of updates on the progress of construction.

This is the first of those reports.

Significant construction is already under way this summer, with work in progress at the Mineola High School (MHS) and middle school (MMS), as of July 1. Work at Jackson Avenue Elementary School will begin on August 1.

MHS is seeing some sweeping changes, as the core of the school has been demolished to make way for a state-of-the-art media center. Adjoining the brand new library facility will be the Student Service Center, a film and video editing suite, an activity center, a student lounge, and a computer room.

Also adjacent to the library will be a new guidance suite, consisting of a large main guidance area, adjoined by the director's office and four separate guidance offices. The suite will also house the speech department and the school psychologist. The main office will be expanded as well, and adjoining it will be the offices of the principal and assistant principal, as well as two conference rooms. MHS is also getting six new bathrooms, which will comply with the regulations of the American Disabilities Act.

The high school is not the district's only summer construction site. At the middle school, workers are busily digging up asphalt to pave the way for a new parking lot. In less than a month, construction crews will climb atop Jackson Avenue to give the school a new roof.

Total cost of MHS construction is just over $2.4 million. The library project is funded by $1.2 million built into the 2001-2002 budget, while the main office and guidance suite reconstruction is funded by $850,000 from the 2004-2005 budget. Bathroom reconstruction will cost an additional $325,000, covered by funds carried over from the referendum of 2000. The new parking lot at MMS costs $85,000, while the roof at Jackson Avenue will cost $25,000, for a combined total expense of $1.1 million, funded by the 2003-2004 budget.