Taxpayers Curious
by Bea Peterson
On Monday evening, October 6, several people took an opportunity to tour Hoosick Falls
Central School to see the improvements made inside and outside the building this past summer. Some of the older folks wanted to see where their tax dollars had been spent. This was the final scheduled open house. Parents had an opportunity to visit the school during the open houses held for the elementary classes and the high school.
Honor Society members were guides Monday. Superintendent Ken Facin, Principals Dailey and Leunig and other administrative staff were on hand to meet people and to answer questions. PTA members provided a large array of refreshments. Students, staff and PTA members were visibly proud of the progress made on the structure.
The guides showed off the auditorium which has a new sound system, new lighting, new curtains and refurbished chairs. “While the chairs were out the school maintenance staff cleaned up the floor and refinished it with a granular paint,” said Facin. “They did a great job.” Guide Megan McEachron said that last year the Drama Club didn’t use one set of curtains because they were afraid they would fall down. Events in the auditorium should be much more pleasant in the warm weather as it is now air conditioned.
The floors in both the elementary and high school gymnasiums have been sanded and refinished. They look beautiful. The Homecoming dance will be held in the high school gym this Saturday evening.
The high school cafeteria has been repainted and students are delighted with the addition of booths and round tables as well as new long tables.
All the mismatched lockers have been replaced. Now the halls are lined with only blue lockers. Half of the building has new windows and blinds. The guides said they are pleased with them because the lower portion has screens and open. The windows are tinted to cut down on sun coming in. The students have already found their classrooms to be much more pleasant. “They are definitely cooler in the warm weather,” said guide Erin Shea. The rooms have already proved to be warmer in the cool weather as a result of the new windows.
The school has a new fitness room equipped with strength, conditioning and cardiac equipment such as treadmills and stationary bikes. There is an impressive weight room as well. The guides said the rooms are open during the day and for two hours after school. “Students, staff and teachers are lined up to use them at the end of the day,” said Megan. The fitness room is especially helpful for special education students who have difficulty participating in regular gym classes.
A new technology classroom has replaced the former weight room.
Superintendent Facin said that the drainage projects and the new parking lot and sidewalks were the major improvements outside. Other improvements include a new security system and a phone and computer system that is the same throughout the building.
The new snack shack next to the athletic fields has already proved to be a big hit. On the other side of the school, work is underway on the new elementary playground. Once all the equipment is in place a level, soft surface will be poured. The playground will be handicapped accessible.
Voters approved the $8.3 million three-phase capital improvement project in 2006. Phase one, completed last year, included replacing the school’s roof and other outside projects. This year it was the many projects described above, and next year the rest of the windows will be replaced. Facin said the projects have been completed within budget. “We have to do a fiscal review of where we are now and look at what we are saving,” he said. “This is important in these economic times.”