Major Renovations Planned for Smithtown Schools in 2022

In the summer of 2022, the Smithtown Central School District will initiate construction on major renovation projects funded by a bond of $117,696,964.20 approved November last year. These projects include renovation of almost all aspects of most school buildings.

At all school buildings, fire alarm systems will be upgraded to meet current building codes and “provide adequate audio visual strobes.” In particular, the entire Smithtown High School West fire alarm system will be completely replaced with a “state of the art mass notification system” as parts are no longer available for the dated system.

At all school buildings except the Nesaquake Middle School, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will be upgraded. This will bring mechanical ventilation and fresh air to older offices and classrooms. Additionally, throughout the schools, older heating, cooling, and ventilation systems will be replaced.

Accompsett and Great Hollow middle schools and both high schools will receive new “seating, finishes, acoustical treatments, LED house and theatrical lighting, rigging, sound system, and smart podiums.” Additionally, St. James Elementary School will receive replaced stage lighting, and air conditioning will be installed at the Great Hollow and Nesaquake middle schools.

Athletic facilities will also be renovated across the district. Irrigation systems will be implemented at the athletic fields of all middle schools. Locker rooms will be renovated at Great Hollow and Nesaquake middle schools. At the high schools, the turf and track surfaces will be replaced, and baseball and softball fields will get synthetic turf. In addition, the indoor athletic area will be upgraded at High School East and a new “Fitness Center” will be built at High School West. At both high schools, new concession stands will be built at the outdoor sports fields.

These renovations will help the Smithtown schools to become more accessible for people with disabilities. At Accompsett Middle School, an ADA-compliant chairlift will be installed at the main entrance. Bathrooms at all elementary schools and Accompsett and Great Hollow middle schools will be renovated as well for handicap accessibility, where possible.

In addition, according to bond documents, all classroom corridor doors will be replaced and will feature new lever hardware and “security classroom function,” including “bullet resistant film” and “glazing on the vision panels.” New cameras and security equipment will be installed across the district. School technology will also be further improved, such as “new fiber runs to network closets, guard booths, stadium fields, press boxes, and new concession stands.”
Career and technical education classrooms and science classrooms at select middle schools and high schools will receive upgrades and “reconfigurations.”

Basic architecture will also be refurbished, including roofs, ceilings, skylights, walls, masonry, sidewalks, windows, exterior doors, and exterior stairs. Replaced windows will allow for the school buildings to become more energy-efficient. New outdoor lighting will be installed to areas that currently “are not adequately lit.” The bond also includes testing for the presence of asbestos and lead.

Hot water heaters at both high schools will be upgraded and/or replaced.

The plan for these renovations was designed by JAG Architects, the district architect.

The bond referendum for these major upgrades was approved by a majority of 1,251 Smithtown residents in September last year. The 15-year bond does not require any additional funding from taxpayers. Over 50 percent of the funding for the bond is provided by the New York State Building Aid.

Sources:

http://www.smithtown.k12.ny.us/Assets/Bond_Vote/91521_BOND_DISTRICT_WIDE_PRES-9-15-21.pdf?t=637673047021470000