On Sept. 14, representatives from Schoolhouse Construction, which is overseeing the capital projects underway at Rockland Central School District, offered an update at the Board of Education meeting.

Rockland Middle/High School

Much of the work over the summer was infrastructure improvements at the Rockland Middle/High School in Livingston Manor, part of the $21 million project approved in 2023. 
In the older portion of the building, all new heating supply and return lines have been run and new unit ventilators installed in the classrooms. The unit ventilators will allow for more consistent heating as well as fresh air intake. Each unit also has the capability and piping for cooling, which can be added later.

The heating system is now in place and ready to be turned on to allow for a more comfortable learning environment for students and staff.

Additional work included the waste lines from the bathroom, kitchens, sinks and kitchenettes being replaced in the crawl space.

A noticeable project over the summer was the replacement of the old metal oil tank with a new fiberglass one. The fence and some bushes in front of the windows at the front of the building were removed, and new landscaping was added at the entrances.

In the attic, old equipment has been removed and a new catwalk was built to access any remaining equipment and controls in the attic. An access door to the auditorium roof, which was replaced, was also installed in the attic.

Asbestos abatement was also a big portion of the project, with asbestos in the attic as well in the plaster of the auditorium ceiling removed.

The auditorium project, which is still underway, will allow for the ducting for the new heating and cooling equipment, which will be placed on the auditorium roof. The original woodwork was preserved. The roof and drains were repaired to prevent further water damage.

Work is also continuing on the secure vestibule, as well as slate tile installation on the roof.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of October/beginning of November. The Schoolhouse representatives thanked the school for being flexible by moving classrooms throughout the year last year to allow for the unit ventilators and to be installed.

Rockland Elementary

At Rockland Elementary, deep purple tiles were installed on the ramps, the flooring was installed in the cafeteria, as were ceiling fans. A staircase was added to access a utility room, which had previously been accessed from the stage in the cafeteria.

Bridge project

The $7 million capital project approved in 2023 to replace the pedestrian bridge and repair the flood walls is slowly moving forward, Schoolhouse representatives said. 

The district faced several hurdles in design and permitting, as well as delays at the state Education Department requiring the design to be submitted as Rockland Central School District. The project has received a permit from SED and the state Department of Environmental Protection, and are awaiting information from the Army Corps of Engineers.

The design calls for power lines on the school side of Main Street to be moved to allow easier access to the project, but the movement has not been approved as of yet.

Schoolhouse is working with a major transportation/bridge company before going to bid to help determine how the work can realistically be done because of the design of the bridge, having to work around the powerlines, as well as working in the Willowemoc Creek.

Temporary roads and platforms will also have to be built to allow for cranes and equipment needed to install the 100-plus-foot beams of the bridge.

Schoolhouse hopes to have bids and contracts by the end of the year, with demolition starting over the winter, and rebuilding taking place May through September, when the DEP permit is active. Work would continue for another six to nine months, with completion in 2028. The goal is to keep the same look as the current bridge. The initial proposal allowed for an increase in costs. However, if bids don’t come at the approved amount, the project will need to be reviewed and revised.