Lakeland Central School District Makes Construction Improvements During Summer Break

While students are enjoying their summer vacations, the Lakeland School District is hard at work completing various school construction projects.

According to district spokesperson James VanDevelde, the following construction improvements have taken place this summer:

Van Cortlandtville Elementary School, Cortlandt Manor

The auditorium is undergoing many improvements, including all new seating and stage equipment and air conditioning. The project should be completed before the school year begins.

The auditorium project was part of funding approved for capital projects in the budget for the 2008-2009 school year. It will cost approximately $1 million.

On the outside of Van Cortlandtville, there have been some changes as well. The bottom parking lot in front of the school has been replaced, and new concrete stairs have been constructed, replacing the worn out pressure-treated lumber steps. To complete the new staircase, new railings are also being added to the steps, which take visitors from the lower parking lot to the entrance of the school.

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Lincoln-Titus elementary schools

At three of the district’s elementary schools—Thomas Jefferson in Yorktown Heights; George Washington in Lake Mohegan; and Lincoln-Titus in Crompond, the district has done brick re-pointing. All three schools were built in the early to mid 20th century, so construction workers have spent time replacing old deteriorated mortar with new mortar. 

Walter Panas High School, Cortlandt Manor

The exterior of the high school has received a bit of a facelift.  There have been improvements to some of the fields, including baseball field, so that they are ready for the school’s athletes this fall.

HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning) work is also taking place at the school this summer. Construction workers are also installing new stage equipment for its auditorium.

Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School and Lakeland High School

Outdoor lighting work has been completed at both schools.

The district does annual summer work on all the schools’ buildings and grounds. This work includes painting and cleaning, and various smaller-scale jobs.

Funding for the other projects comes out of the buildings and grounds budget that is designated for needed repairs and improvements throughout in the district.  

"Our custodial crews and district-wide staff do outstanding work every summer in getting our buildings ready for our students," said Superintendent George Stone.  

"When you look at how much work has to be done over the summer, and how hot the summer has been, it's amazing when you get to the start of school and see what our staff has accomplished," he said.