School contractors work to get as much done as possible before classes start

By J.S. Shipman
GOSHEN — The Goshen school board met on a hot, humid night last week to make sure that, by the start of school on Sept. 6, the district will be ready for the learning and growing that will take place within its walls.
Contractors working on the district's $30.48 million capital improvement project, Frank Arturi of Triton Construction Management and Matthew Milnamow of LAN Associates, gave an update on their progress since the June groundbreaking, and their effort to get as much as possible done before classes start. Work will continue after-hours when students return to class. The project is on target to be completed next summer.
Underway in the A-wing of the high school are painting and flooring work plus ceiling repairs, electrical finishing touches, and HVAC work.
In the kitchen addition, the footings and below-grade walls are completed. Backfilling of the interior and exterior addition is also done. Below-slab plumbing will begin shortly and is on schedule.
The contractors are also making progress on the field house and bleachers, another new addition, and the auditorium. The new stairs and entryway are all partially completed and on schedule to be done before school starts. Site work including irrigation lines, electrical service, sanitary and drainage work were scheduled to begin last week and to be finished before classes start. Wiring to the parking lot lights has been completed.
Other efforts underway include prep work for new heating and air conditioning for the gym, auditorium, and corridors, installation of new cables for the IT (Instructional Technology) system, and new security cables and cameras.
One potential problem is that some heavy equipment may have to be brought in to remove unexpected big rocks in the earth below the auditorium. A contingency fund built into the project is expected to cover any additional costs this may entail.
Arturi and Milnamow said they planned to bring more information to the next meeting, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20. All board meetings are open to the public and held at the Main Street administration building at in the Board Room at the Main Street Building, 227 Main Street, Goshen, on the first and third Monday of each month.