Lakeland Schools Keep Improving Through Summer

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- School is out for summer, but that doesn’t mean Lakeland schools are on recess for making improvements for their students.

District Superintendant Dr. George Stone said there are several projects ongoing through the summer, as summer is the traditional time when many renovations and construction projects can be done on the schools without disrupting the students.

Reportedly, almost every school is having some kind of renovation or cosmetic work done to it over the summer.

At the Van Cortlandville Elementary School, all new seating and stage, new equipment and air conditioning are being added.

“There have been some renovations before, but nothing to the extent of what we’re doing now,” Stone said. Stone is hopeful that the project will be completed in its entirety prior to school starting.

The project will reportedly cost about $1 million was voted on in the budget of 2008-2009 school year. The other projects, Stone explained, are all paid for by the building and grounds funds that are designated for needed repairs around the schools.

At Van Cortlandville the bottom parking lot in front of the school has been replaced, and new concrete stairs have been constructed as well, which Stone said were “desperately needed.” The only thing left to finish on that project are the installation of railings on the stairs, which should be completed soon.

At three of the elementary schools—Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Lincoln-Titus, there has been brick repointing. Stone explained this is when old deteriorated mortar is grinded out of brick joints and replaced with new mortar.

At Walter Panas High School, there have been improvements and new lights added made to the fields, located down the hill behind the school.  HVAC repairs are also being made at the school during the summer, and new stage equipment is being installed.

At Copper Beech Middle School and Lakeland High School, cosmetic lighting work has also been done.

Stone explained in addition to all of these projects, the cyclical cleaning of the floors and classrooms and painting and smaller cosmetic work is ongoing.

“We have extraordinary crews working in our buildings, custodial crews and district staff,” Stone said. “When you look at how much work has to be done over the summer, a lot of it when it is done when it's really really hot. It’s just amazing when you get close to the start of school and see what’s done.”

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