New Fields, Preschool Complete

Each year, the head of Buildings and Grounds gives a "State of District Facilities" report, but Thursday was more exciting because major projects have been completed.

Dean D'Agostino presented the facilities projects that his staff has been working on for months, including the new fields at , during the meeting for school board members, staff and the public.

He began talking about the preschool construction project, which converted a portion of the high school to accomodate the preschool program. That program was previously housed in the Sullivan Center at across the street.

D'Agostino said because much of the work was done by members of his staff, the district was able to save $140,400 on the project. Six classrooms and four bathrooms were renovated or newly constructed during the past year and over the summer. Students and staff are currently using the facilities.

The stadium project, which D'Agostino outlined with photographs from each phase of construction, got its start in March and was completed last month.

He said the stadium is "one of the premier athletic facilities in the area built with all of the latest and greatest materials. Construction was long and tedious, but the end the result was well worth it."

The fields are already in use and there will be a dedication at the new stadium Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. before the first home football game.

"The Cardinal athletic teams should enjoy many years of this sports program on a great new surface that many students will never experience in their lives," D'Agostino said.

School board members agreed, praising D'Agostino and his staff for their hard work on the fields and other projects throughout the district.

Other work completed over the summer includes renovating bathrooms, creating a new computer lab for the arts and upgrading the guidance suite at the high school; painting the gym, installing new ceiling tiles and carpet squares in the main office and updating the nurse's office at ; and upgrading the main office and overhauling the front steps at .

Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller said D'Agostino and his team of employees are highly valued in the district for all their work. He said while the department is stretched thin with many requests, the work gets done.

"You manage through wizardry to satisfy virtually everyone almost instantaneously," Zoeller said. "Keep up the good work."