School buildings serve community as well
PAUL WIETIG Deputy Superintendent Amherst Central
The recent Amherst Bee editorial "Aged buildings in need of upgrades" established an excellent framework for support of the Capital Construction project at Amherst Central.

It is important to note that in addition to the daily Pre-K through grade 12 educational programs, our school buildings serve as a host for a significant number of other community and student-based activities.

Amherst Middle School has been the home of the Amherst Symphony for more than 60 years. Walter Rietz and the Amherst Male Glee Club have been performing since 1948. Each of these organizations provide valued cultural offerings for residents of the town.

Our buildings host Community Education programs for all ages in the community. Before- and after-school offerings, which begin each school day as early as 7:15 a.m. continue after school until 6 p.m.

On a regular basis our athletic venues host a wide variety of interscholastic events, as well as other leagues from the Town. The YMCA and Youth Board use our facilities for summer and after-school activities.

With respect to the specifics of the Capital Project, District officials were engaged in a comprehensive review of all facilities. A team comprised of Board of Education members, administrators and architects completed site inspections.

Each element under review began with critical questions related to the supporting rationale for the renovation followed by establishing priorities, timeframes and associated costs.

The projects will have impact on each of the four school facilities. Electrical, plumbing, roofing, ventilation, and handicapped accessibility are the general categories included in the project. The largest portions of funding are directed at repairs and replacement of aging roofs at Windermere Boulevard School, the Middle School and High School, cafeteria renovations at Windermere, and parking lots at each building.

After this was completed, the team placed each of the 105 segments of the project into a 5-year plan and identified the cost at $16.5 million.

If approved by voters on May 15, this amount would be funded by a combination of $964,000 in state aid, known as EXCEL Aid, plus a 15-year bond of $15.5 million.

State building aid would cover approximately 70 percent of all bond principal and interest payments.

This Capital improvement initiative will enhance and preserve the value of our facilities and, in turn, provide our students and community with safe and welcoming educational centers.