Mt. Pleasant Schools Moves Forward With Bond Preparation Plans
The Mount Pleasant Board of Education is poised to hire an architect and a contracting company for a possible bond issue vote later this year carrying a price tag of as much as $50 million.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Guiney said last week the district is on target to hire the Mount Kisco-based KG&D Architects & Engineers and Arris Contracting Co., Inc. of Poughkeepsie when the school board meets next on July 9.
Guiney said the board of education would likely vote in September to schedule an October or November date for a referendum.
The school board will determine the price tag for the bond during discussions over the summer, she said. Board of Education President James Grieco said recently the bond could be between $45 million and $50 million and repaid over 20 years.
KG&D had been working with the 31-member Facilities Steering Committee, which addressed the board of education on June 4 about its recommendations for what should be included in a proposition.
Most of the work will focus on the middle school and high school. Some of the committee’s recommendations included a new two-story science wing with additional labs for the two schools; a new artificial turf field for the middle school and high school along with a press box; a common suite for nurses and new fitness rooms; creation of a second access point to the campus; and renovations at the high school auditorium.
The committee also recommended funding to renovate walkways and entrances at the district’s two elementary schools.
Paul Tozzi, president of Arris Contracting, which will provide construction management, said the company would be involved in planning, setting up timelines for the work and budgeting.
Tozzi said his company stresses holding down costs. There are no extra expenses to the district if the bond projects are not completed on time, he said.
“We make sure to stay within the budget,” Tozzi said.
Arris Contracting Executive Project Manager John Patrick Jackson said once construction begins his company oversees the contractors. All documents used during construction are available to district officials via its website, he said.
As much work would be completed during periods when school in not in session. If work has to be done during non-vacation periods, much of it would be scheduled between 3:30 and 11 p.m.
