Construction projects move forward at Somers schools

SOMERS, N.Y. - Summer may be waning, but construction activity across the Somers Central School District is plowing straight ahead.

In a recent message to families and the community, schools Superintendent Dr. Adam Bronstein and Chris Platania, assistant superintendent for business & operations, reported that “great progress” had been made on Phase 1 on the district’s three-part $63.9 million capital improvement project.

“We’re very excited about getting everything wrapped up before the opening of school,” Platania said at the board’s Aug. 11 meeting, adding that because it’s a “multi-year” project, “there will be work that will continue into the fall.”

The bond referendum was approved by voters in 2025. Work started this June and is expected to be completed by September 2028.

Capital projects such as SCSD’s are large-scale, high-cost investments in physical assets or infrastructure. They create long-term value that lasts well beyond a single year, unlike minor repairs or routine maintenance.

Bronstein asked for the community’s patience while work continues on a turf field and track at the high school.

“Once the new track surface has been installed, it may appear complete, however the surface will require a designated curing and settling period before it can safely accommodate foot traffic,” they wrote, saying it was “essential” that walkers, runners, and visitors stay off the track in order to “protect the integrity of the new surface and ensure it performs as intended for years to come.”

Here’s a brief overview of the work that was underway as of Friday, Aug. 15.

PRIMROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• The kindergarten playground installation is nearly complete and the turf base was expected to be installed shortly.

• Summer access: The playground is currently closed.

SOMERS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

• Installation of the playground equipment has started.

• The third-grade wing renovations are ongoing. The prep work is wrapping up and the installation of the new flooring was to begin the week of Aug. 17.

• The art room renovation is ongoing. The flooring and new cabinetry installation will begin soon.

• The front entryway renovations have continued, which includes parking areas, sidewalk removal and landscaping. Concrete has been poured in the front entryway and parking lot renovations have begun.

• Summer Access: The playground and middle field are both closed.

SOMERS MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Prep work is ongoing for the new, Middle School digital sign along 202.

• HVAC work is ongoing in the wellness suite for school counselors, psychologists, our SEL interventionist and the assistant principal’s office.

• The middle field drainage renovations are complete and the middle parking lot and adjacent sidewalk work was set to begin the week of Aug. 17.

• Fire alarm upgrades are ongoing.

• Summer access: The middle field is closed.

SOMERS HIGH SCHOOL

• Sidewalk renovations are complete while the parking lot renovations continue, with final striping being the culmination of the work.

• Turf 1 lights have been installed, along with the first half of the lights for Turf 2.  Trenching for the conduit to activate the lighting for Turf 2 is ongoing.

• The initial paving of the track on Turf 1 is complete and is now curing and settling, with the final surface layer and striping to take place later in the summer. 

• Fire alarm upgrades are ongoing.

• Summer Access: Turf 1 and the track are closed. Turf 2, the lower fields, and the tennis and pickleball courts remain open for use by groups approved by the school district. The track is expected to be reopened “sometime early in the school year,” Platania said.

LOOKING GOOD

School board members were scheduled to tour the project highlights on Monday, Aug. 25.

It will give Director of Facilities Christopher McCartney and his team a chance to show off their work.

(In the meanwhile, Bronstein and Platania sent along some photos so the public could get in on the action.)

Having had a “sneak peek” at the work being done at SIS, board President Amanda Kandel said that “the progress is very impressive.”

“The third-grade wing renovations look fantastic,” she added at the board’s Aug. 11 meeting.

Thanking district voters for approving the capital bond, Kandel noted that “there’s a great deal of work ahead over the next few years, but these projects are essential for maintaining and improving our school facilities.”

Reading from a statement, she pointed out that because previous debt obligations had been “retired,” the district “was able to take a similar level of debt service without significantly impacting the budget.”

“This approach allows us to complete the necessary maintenance and upgrades of our buildings while keeping our facilities in good condition for current and future generations of students,” Kandel said.

Bronstein planned to provide further updates as the project advanced.

CULVERT UPDATE

Bronstein also talked about the state Department of Transportation’s culvert replacement project on Route 202.

The busy state road was closed on July 13 between Firemen’s Field and the Somers Middle School’s parking lot.

The project had been expected to begin June 29 but was delayed while Verizon crews completed utility work.

The state had originally planned to begin the multi-million-dollar project in February but postponed it until after the school year to avoid disrupting 19 school bus routes, which officials said could have added 35 to 45 minutes to some students' commutes.

(Somers schools are re-opening on Wednesday, Sept. 2.)

Bronstein said he’d been in regular contact with town Supervisor Robert Scorrano and other involved parties and had been “getting nothing but good news.”

“I’ve received multiple assurances from everyone, from the DOT to the town to the contractor itself, that this will all be wrapped up before the start of the school year,” he said.

But, just in case things go awry, the district has contingency plans in place.

“So, let’s all hope that none of that is actually necessary and we will be ready for the opening of school,” said Bronstein, who wanted to reassure folks that everything the district’s been hearing “is very positive.”