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Bronxville Schools Gear Up for Possible Renovations

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Bronxville School District is in the process of gathering money for its capital project that would upgrade the middle school science labs and renovate the auditorium.

Restorations and large repairs have been on the district's mind since 2007, said David Quattrone, district superintendent. Now the district would like to hear what the public has to say about the proposal. The community is invited to attend a capital projects information session during the Bronxville Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"We're excited about all the possibilities and think they are overdue," he said. "We are optimistic about getting community's support and moving forward with it."

The school's auditorium has not been renovated since the 1960s, Quattrone said. It does not let natural light in, and the balcony is not in compliance with safety regulations. In addition, the acoustics and sight lines are quite poor.

"It will provide a more sophisticated environment for playing musical instruments, for performing in a play or even staging things differently so you can use the space in a more creative way," he said. "It is going to be a much more accessible space and will solve a number of problems."

The middle school science labs have been out of date for several years. In the capital plan, the rooms will be redesigned to optimize the space.

"This is an upgrade that has been in the planning stages for three or four years," Quattrone said. "The rooms are oddly sized. There is inadequate storage. The lab tables are awkwardly positioned. This would improve on that greatly."

Should the capital project be approved at the Oct. 2 vote, the renovations could be completed by the end of 2014, Quattrone said. Typically, it would take one year to hash out the designs and receive approval and another year for construction.

Last week, the board approved the borrowing of $5 million through a bond referendum to support the $10 million project. Another $2 million will come from a construction reserve the district created in 2011. The final $3 million is coming from the Bronxville PTA, the Bronxville School Foundation and other private donors.

Chris Atayan was the sole board member who opposed the project last week, wrote Quattrone in the district's online newsletter. Quattrone added Atayan's reasons were "based on possible future cost implications for the school's academic program and concerns about the district's ability to manage the project."

Other plans for the capital project include infrastructure control and preventative maintenance.

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