OXFORD – The Oxford Academy School District’s current building project could be completed by year’s end, thanks to an accelerated timeline. The $4.65 million capital project, which was approved by voters in September of 2009, received the State Education Department’s stamp of approval in January.
“It’s an aggressive timeline, but we feel we can accomplish it at this point,” Superintendent Randy Squier said.
The district has already selected a construction management company to oversee the project. According to Squier, district leaders considered five firms for the job.
“All five companies had great references,” he said, but one stood out: C&S Companies. The Syracuse firm has been involved with several area school projects, including Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School and DCMO BOCES. Ultimately, however, it was the service C&S will provide for the “cost point” which earned them the contract. According to Squier, they plan to have three people on site during the construction, as opposed to one.
“Bids are out,” the superintendent reported.
Already, he said, a number of general contractors and sub-contractors have expressed an interest in the project, and taken the opportunity to tour the facility. “That’s always a good sign.”
According to Squier, the bids will be opened on March 11, with contracts awarded at the board of education’s March 14 meeting. If all goes as planned, completion is slated for late November.
The project’s scope of work is focused largely on the district’s Middle School. More than $3.47 million in renovations will be made to the 80-year old structure. Historic features such as the columns, cupola and entry doors will be refurbished, and the school’s roof, gutters, tie-ins and flashing will all be either repaired or replaced.
Interior work will include a thorough renovation of the auditorium and gymnasium. In the auditorium, work will include asbestos abatement, seating rehabilitation, curtain replacement and increased handicap accessibility. In the adjoining gym, the floor, ceiling, bleachers and wall pads will all be replaced, and a roll-down divider curtain installed.
Upgrades to the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are also planned.
The remainder of the project’s cost has been allocated to the Primary and High Schools and will be used to bring the buildings into compliance with current codes, upgrade the mechanical system, increase security and address other identified issues.
According to Squier, some of the work may commence in May and June, with crews working second shift. Construction will begin in earnest once school lets out for the summer, with a “significant” amount of word completed by September.
One area which may not be ready for the start of school, however, is the Middle School gym and auditorium. According to the superintendent, the district had hoped to get a jump start on the space by using the student’s week-long break in April to perform asbestos abatement. Those plans are currently on hold, the superintendent said Thursday, which could mean the space will not be completed until November.