Lynbrook Schools Consider Security Upgrades, Back-Up Generators

In response to Superstorm Sandy and the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. the Strategic Planning Committee for the Lynbrook School District added some new items to its "wish list."

Lynbrook High School Principal Joseph Rainis, who chairs the Facilities Subcommittee, presented a report during Wednesday's Board of Education meeting that included an update on the district's current five-year plan including recent upgrades to school buildings and grounds, and other projects in the works. 

Rainis explained that replacement of the exterior doors at Marion Street, Waverly Park, West End and South Middle schools, interior doors at Waverly Park, and the cafeteria driveway at the high school have all been completed. These projects cost roughly $90,000 in total. The $25K renovation of a science classroom at South Middle is also finished.

The voter-approved installation of a turf field at Marion Street, which is estimated to cost $1.5 million, and the addition of band, chorus and rehearsal rooms, and an elevator at North Middle School, which combined will cost around $3.5 million, are both awaiting state review. So is the $550K relocation of the baseball field at South Middle.

“A lot has been done in a short period of time,” Rainis said. “But facilities planning is always a long-term proposition that needs constant updating and constant revision."

Looking into the future and learning from the recent past, the Facilities Subcommittee suggested the community consider installing building-wide back-up generators at all six of its school buildings. When Superstorm Sandy struck the area, some of Lynbrook's schools were without power for nearly two weeks.

"The installation of building-wide back-up generators enables the district to carry on school business should such an emergency occur again," Rainis said.

Installing a back-up generator at Lynbrook High School would cost an estimated $500,000. Each elementary school and middle school would cost an additional $350,000, for a grand total of $2.25 million for all six schools.

Responding to another recent news event, the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Subcommittee also recommended increasing security at Lynbrook High School including employing guards and making upgrades to the security system at entrances. 

Other items suggested for the board's and the community's consideration included the installation of new boilers in all school buildings, a $4.8 million project, elevators and air conditioning at Marion Street and Waverly Park, and a $40,000 chair lift at the Atlantic Avenue administration building. The subcommittee also put forth a $35 million project that would including building an auditorium, a music suite and classrooms at the high school, renovation of bathrooms around the district, and the replacement of the track at South Middle, which would cost an estimated $1.3 million.

Many of these items, especially the "big-ticket" ones, would require further discussion and research, Rainis explained.

The district’s Strategic Planning Committee has been working to enact a five-year plan to establish goals for academic achievement, facilities, communication, guidance programs, social work, staff development and combating substance abuse by students. To view a copy of the Jan. 9 presentation, visit www.lynbrook.k12.ny.us.