November 7, 2007 - Beginning in the early hours of the morning, until long past dusk, the North Colonie Central School District is bustling with activity. From teachers, students and student-athletes arriving before the morning bell and remaining well after dismissal, to visitors attending continuing education classes, athletic events and performances—the district’s eight school buildings endure significant use. Each building is used approximately 16 hours per day, five days a week with additional traffic on the weekend—translating to nearly 90-100 hours of use per week and chronic wear and tear.

“This regular usage coupled with changing programmatic needs and state mandates, as well as ongoing maintenance, requires constant renovations, upgrades and enhancements,” said Director of Facilities Tim Bonk. “We are in a maintenance continuum.”

A well-maintained school district benefits both current and future students as well as the community. North Colonie is committed to extending the life of its school facilities and grounds by addressing infrastructure needs on a continual basis rather than dealing with facility problems on an emergency basis.

Summer projects move district forward

Using funds allocated in the district budget, maintenance staff made a number of improvements throughout the school district this summer. The following changes were made at each of the schools listed below:
 

• Blue Creek
  A new gym floor was installed this summer, replacing an old vinyl tile flooring. The new floor is not only more visually appealing, but also provides increased safety for students. Brighter, more energy efficient lights in the gym and cafeteria also provide enhanced safety, comfort and increased cost efficiency. The school’s entrance canopy was renovated and received a fresh coat of paint. The original flooring in the K-2 wing was upgraded with new ceramic tiles. A new wireless GPS clock system, which will eventually be installed at all elementary schools, was put into place.
   

• Boght Hills
  Restrooms in the 1991 addition were equipped with new bathroom stalls, partitions and fixtures that are now ADA compliant. A new water heater was also installed.
   

• Forts Ferry
  Work included asbestos abatement, the installation of new floor tiling in eight classrooms and the cafeteria; the makeover of six bathrooms in the primary wing; and installation of seven bulletin boards in the hallways and eight white boards in four classrooms. Three security cameras were installed and reparation work was completed on a kindergarten classroom ceiling that was damaged last February due to a pipe break. The wheels on storage bins located in the auditorium were upgraded and a new roof was installed above the 1991 addition. A new parking lot with a reconfigured student drop-off area was constructed as well.
   

• Latham Ridge
  Improvements included the removal and replacement of the ceiling in the attendance office, removal of an old air handling unit from the cafeteria courtyard, and the replacement of a domestic water heater and the original air compressor to the building.
   

• Loudonville Elementary
  Painting was a main focus of attention at Loudonville this summer. Exterior painting addressed the weathered and stained panels that trim the building. Interior painting in the pre-2005 addition provided the school with a significant facelift. A new kiln was installed and rewired in the art room and a wireless GPS clock system was installed.
   

• Southgate
  Minor improvements were made at Southgate this summer. More significant improvements were made in spring 2006.
   

• Shaker Junior High School
  Lockers were painted in Calhoun Hall and a new water heater was installed this summer at the Junior High School.
   

• Shaker Senior High School
  Major improvements included resurfacing the track, renovating the band room to address noise attenuation and installing a security gate at the receiving room. New signage placed at the school’s entryway now provides directions for visitors. New ceiling and lighting were installed in upper/lower K wing. Home and Career’s Room A134 was renovated to meet programmatic needs and a new ventilation system was installed in the supervisor’s office. The New York State Department of Transportation began installing a traffic light outside of the school to ease traffic flow and increase safety.