School Official Responds to Davison Avenue Construction Concern

An official for the Malverne School District is saying that it was an "unforeseen condition" and not human error or negligence that resulted in construction workers removing the concrete they had placed at Davison Avenue School recently.

A member of the "I Love Malverne But Want More From Our Schools" Facebook group had posted this message on Dec. 1: "Where is or was the construction supervisior for the work being done at Davison Avenue School? It is my understanding that the foundation was done incorrectly and not up to code and now has to be redone. Where are the people in the district who are supposed to be overseeing the spending of the taxpayers' money when all this was happening?"

When questioned about this information, Spiro Colaitis, assistance superintendent for district operations, said the statement was incorrect.

"First and foremost, the building is on schedule to be complete by Aug. 12, and will absolutely be constructed to code," he told Patch Friday. "We have inspectors onsite in addition to a design team and a construction manager ensuring the construction is done correctly."

Spiro explained that there was an "unforeseen condition" at the site, a change in the construction that could not have been picked up in the design phase. This required the contractor to remove the concrete footing and replace it with piles.

"The only way this condition can be picked up is when the construction begins," he added. "It is unfortunate when people without the proper knowledge make incorrect assumptions and pass them along."

The construction at Davison Avenue School began in late September. It is part of a $14.1 million, two-proposition bond that residents approved in the fall of 2010. The construction work for Proposition #1, which includes renovations at Davison as well as Maurice W. Downing Primary School, is being handled by Sigma Builders Group. They are working under the supervision of  construction management firm Saving Engineering. Other contractors working on the project include JNS Heating Services, Xtraire Inc., Hirsch and Co., LLC, Ambrosio and Co, Inc., and Relle Electric Corp.

When the project is finished, Davison will have seven new classrooms, a new science classroom, new music room, new special education room and new principal's office. It will also have an elevator and ADA access ramp, new toilets, a renovated cafeteria and upgraded kitchen.

Downing will receive four new classrooms, a new health office, three new support spaces, a new principal's office, as well as a renovated cafeteria with kitchen upgrades, new toilets and an expanded library.