Capital Project Planning Proceeding Apace
by Alex Brooks
At the October 17 meeting of the Hoosick Falls School Board, Business Administrator Emily Sanders said design work for the Capital Project is proceeding at a furious pace. The overall project involves spending over $23 million and work taking place in almost every room of the building. Preparing detailed plans for the work involves making a lot of decisions and putting together a lot of drawings and specifications. The project is divided into three phases, one for each of the three summers when construction will be taking place. The first phase, work to be done next summer, is the smallest, focusing only on replacement of the boilers and asbestos abatement in the boiler room. The current three boiler system will be replaced with an energy efficient, computer controlled two boiler system with two new hot water heaters. Detailed design for this phase was completed towards the end of the summer and was submitted to the State Education Dept. for approval in September. The Board is hoping to have SED approval in a couple of weeks and get the project out to bid soon, for construction to begin at the beginning of July next summer. The architects are currently working on detailed design for Phase 2 and Phase 3, to be done in the summers of 2021 and 2022, and hope to submit those plans to SED for approval by May 2020.
Sports
Superintendent Patrick Dailey said the Hoosick Falls District is “actively looking” for a merger with another school for its Wrestling and Football teams, and possibly other teams as well, but he had no specific news to report on this front.
Dailey said New York State has been talking about getting rid of riflery as a high school sport, but there has been a lot of pushback from Riflery advocates, so its future is uncertain. State administrators have said there needs to be a certain critical mass of teams competing statewide to keep it, and if these are not in place by the end of this year, they will cut it. Dailey has become involved in helping to organize riflery advocates across the state to make sure the sport continues. He said he may invite all of the riflery coaches across the state to meet at HFCS to discuss strategy and organizational efforts.
Expanding Therapy Dog Program
The Board approved amending its contract for Therapy Dog services from $10,000 per year to $20,000 per year. Dailey said the program has had a very positive effect at the school and this larger contract allows Mr. Manning to work towards acquiring and training a second dog and perhaps training additional dog handlers.
Hubbard Hall Programs Renewed
The Board approved an agreement for up to $12,600 to have Hubbard Hall offer programs at the school. Dailey said Hubbard Hall started last year offering programs and it has enriched the school’s offerings considerably. A series of 6 one hour theatre and performance workshops will be offered after school, and playwriting exercises in the classroom, and a number of other theatre-related projects.
The Board accepted a letter of resignation from Bus Driver Leo Surdam effective October 5, 2019, for retirement purposes.
The Board celebrated the selection of HFCS Senior Quinn Kinney to the All State Symphony Orchestra. Kinney is the first HFCS student to make All State in 21 years. He plays timpani and other percussion instruments. School Band Director Rob Allen said Kinney has “the perfect mixture – natural talent, an incredible work ethic, and a high level of enthusiasm for performing.”