Newburgh - Newburgh Enlarged City School District officials, along with members of various NECSD committees, came together on Thurs., August 26, 2010 for the Annual Summer Constriction Bus Tour. The tour, led by Terry Damon of Armlin, Damon & McMordie, the company hired by the Newburgh Enlarged City School District to manage the improvement plan, visited schools within the NECSD that received renovations and improvements since the summer of 2009. The improvements are part of the overall Master Plan for the NECSD which was set in motion following bond referendums that were approved by voters in 2005 and 2007.
During a brief visit to GAMS Tech Magnet School, visitors viewed the parking lot reconstruction and temporary repairs in two areas that will be reconstructed in the next phase of work which will be completed at GAMS.
Temple Hill School and Meadow Hill School, currently K-8 buildings, also received improvements and upgrades including the replacement of both boilers; the completed renovation of the science rooms and the Homes & Careers room; renovations to the computer lab; renovation of the locker rooms/creation of new instructional space; electrical system improvements; a new public address system; selected classroom upgrades to accommodate programs requirements; the installation of new doors and the creation of an entrance vestibule for energy efficiency. In addition, construction began at both schools on new tracks/fields which will be ready for use in the Fall of 2011.
Over at the Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus, a special ceremonial ribbon cutting and plaque presentation was held to unveil the NFA auditorium that was completely renovated and to announce the renaming of NFA to the NFA Main Campus. The auditorium project included: removal and replacement of the wood flooring; plaster molding restoration; reconstruction of the stage extension; installation of a handicap accessible lift at the stage; new theatre style seating with multiple H/C seating locations; separate orchestra area; separate sound/lighting control area; new state of lighting and sound systems; interactive lectern; new projector mounted in the old projection booth in the balcony area and a power operated projection screen. On the stage, a new state of the art stage rigging and lighting systems were installed. Moving backstage, the costume storage and changing rooms were renovated including the addition of a new bathroom.
At the NFA North Campus, a second ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony was held to formally unveil the building as the NFA North Campus. During the NFA North building tour, participants toured a new chemistry lab; the finished nursing program classroom; newly renovated library; a new music suite and a fitness center for students in the former Girl’s Gym. Other completed projects at the NFA North Campus included the replacement of selected windows and entrance doors for energy efficiency; upgraded electric service; the completed addition of faculty, staff, and student parking; site lighting in selected areas; fencing to separate NFA North from GAMS and athletic field improvements outside on the lacrosse and softball fields.
In addition Damon explained that both the NFA Main Campus and NFA North Campus received new public address systems. NFA Executive High School Principal Peter Copeletti explained the importance of having a unified public address system for both the NFA Main Campus and the NFA North Campus. “The communication line between both campuses is essential,” explained Copeletti calling the system a ‘vital communication link’ for both campuses. According to Damon, the systems can be used on an individual per school basis or can be heard simultaneously on both campuses such as for the morning announcements or important notifications for all students.
