We are happy to report that the first phase of our two-phase capital improvement plan was completed on schedule and within the budget. This edition of the Capital Project eNews provides an update on the completion of Phase I and what to expect as we move forward with Phase II.
Please remember you can submit your questions/comments about any aspect of the Capital Project using this form.
Phase I: Complete
Besides our new athletic facility, we have newly renovated classrooms at M.C. Smith Intermediate School (M.C.S.I.S.) to support the learning environment of our second and third grade students.
Under roof upgrades at the Junior/Senior High School, including a renovated high school gymnasium and a new chiller unit, are completed. An additional driveway on the north side of the high school campus is nearing completion. Keep reading for details about each item.
Reconfiguration of Grade Levels (Grade 2)
Second grade teachers and students started the 2017-2018 school year in their newly renovated classrooms at M.C.S.I.S.
Rooms and locker bays, in what was formerly the 3rd and 4th grade wing (and Grades 5 and 6 before that), were renovated to meet the educational needs of Grade 2 students and teachers.
Our goal was to provide equivalent, yet improved resources to Grade 2 staff and students that were available to them at John L. Edwards Primary School (J.L.E.). Grade 2 is settling into their new learning environment nicely.
Under Roof Upgrades
Phase I included under roof upgrades to replace aging infrastructure items that were nearing the end of their useful life. A new chiller unit for the air conditioning system at the Jr./Sr. High School was installed. The new chiller unit is more energy efficient and much quieter than the old unit. Our neighbors are pleased about the lack of noise coming from this new unit.
Splintering wooden bleachers in the high school gymnasium were replaced with new plastic bleachers that showcase our school pride (top). Additionally, a storage area was created behind the team benches in order to store athletic and physical education equipment (bottom).
Transportation
To make the entrance to Hudson Jr./Sr. High School safer for pedestrians and school buses, a new driveway is being constructed on the north side of the high school campus (see images below). By offering an alternative entrance/exit, fewer vehicles will be required to cross in front of the campus’ main entrances. This is intended to help improve traffic flow and safety, especially during arrival and dismissal.
New Track & Athletic Field Complex
In August 2017, we asked our community to help us name the new track and athletic field facility. After tabulating all of the votes, we are happy to share the official name of our new track/field:
Bluehawk Sports Complex!
Thank you to everyone who cast their votes. We are looking forward to the many athletic and community events to be hosted at our state-of-the-art Bluehawk Sports Complex.
 The brick walkway located by the Bluehawk Sports Complex is yet to be completed. The public can still purchase personalized bricks from the Hudson High School Class of 2019. Click here to get more information about the Class of 2019 brick fundraiser, such as cost and ordering.
We are grateful for the landslide support of our Capital Project by taxpayers, as well as the generosity of the Galvan Foundation for their additional support to enhance the facility so we can host regional and patroon competitions. We sincerely thank the individuals and community organizations who sponsored or supported the Closing Ceremony of Barrett Field and the Grand Opening of the Bluehawk Sports Complex:
H.C.S.D. taxpayers, the John A. Barrett Family, all former Bluehawk coaches and athletes, Board of Education President Carrie Otty and the H.C.S.D. Board of Education, Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier (Superintendent of Schools), Galvan Foundation, Hudson River Bank & Trust, Tim Martin, Mike Pizza, Antonio Abitabile (Principal at Hudson Senior High School), Derek Reardon (Principal at Hudson Junior High School & Athletic Director), Sharifa Carbon (Business Administrator), Building & Grounds Supervisor George Keeler & Staff, Hudson Jr./Sr. High Band & Choir, Mayor Tiffany Hamilton, Lance Wheeler, Glenn Wheeler, Jerry Doty, Allen Benoit, Skydive Saratoga, A. Colarusso & Son, Hudson River Bank & Trust, Michael Johnston Bus Co., Quality Trophies, Taconic Foundation, Bank of Greene County, Hudson Teachers’ Association, Chip Moon, Roger Bailey, Mike Groll, Columbia-Greene Media, Michael Howard, W & B Golf Carts, Bluehawk Nation After-School Program, Jack Connor & Family, Ginsberg’s Food, Pitstop, Rob & Ruth Neal, Rhinebeck Architecture, Mid-Hudson Cablevision, Bill Williams (98.5 “The Cat”), Shoprite, Frito-Lay, Price Chopper, WalMart, Pat Maloy & Field Planning Committee Members, Michele Goodermote & Football Moms, Concession Volunteers - Stephanie Dingman, Jenn Ganey, Jodi Keyser, and Michelle Nowak, Class of 2019, S.M.S. Rentals, Noah Taylor, Bluehawk Coaches & Teams, and the Hudson Police Department.
Phase II: M.C.S.I.S. Construction
As part of the voter-approved capital improvement plan, the Hudson City School District is in the process of rightsizing to a two-campus district. While we are consolidating from three to two campuses, we are actually growing as a district with new learning opportunities.
The construction of a new primary wing at M.C.S.I.S., which will hold classrooms and services for pre-kindergarten through Grade 1, is included in Phase II of the project. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 19, 2017 to mark the beginning of construction.
Reconfiguration of Grade Levels (Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 1)
Construction of the new primary wing began in October and is anticipated to be completed by September of 2018. Due to the breadth of the construction, there are several contractors working on the new primary wing: Clune Electric, DiGesare Group, Jerson Construction, Mazzone Plumbing and Trane. Visit our website to see the Board-approved floor plans.
As we look ahead to welcoming pre-kindergarten through Grade 1 to M.C.S.I.S., building principal Mark Brenneman will continue to work with the J.L.E. teachers and staff to develop a plan for the continued safety of our students. The safety and security of our students is a top priority, and this will not change as M.C.S.I.S. becomes a PK-5 building.
Looking Ahead to PK-1 Transition in 2018
It is an exciting time in the Hudson City School District as we begin to merge two buildings to make one community. There are many components to a successful transition and we are thankful to all who have been involved in this process as the district continues to work toward enhancing the educational experience of all our students.
Tentative Timeline
(See a larger infographic on the Capital Project webpage. Please note that this timeline of project construction and completion is approximate and is subject to change.)
The tentative scheduling for the remainder of the project is as follows:
- Fall/Winter 2017-2018
- Construction of the new primary wing at M.C.S.I.S. is set to begin and will continue through the spring and summer.
- Spring/Summer 2018
- The entire project should be approaching completion by this time and finished prior to the start of the 2018-19 school year.
Ways to Get Involved
The architects, engineer and construction management team are available to meet on most Mondays at 11 a.m. Any interested party is welcome to attend by calling the District Office in advance at 518-828-4360, ext. 2101.
Interested parties are also welcome to attend the Board’s Facilities Committee meetings, which occur in the District Conference Room on a fairly regular basis. Please check our homepage periodically for information about dates and times of these meetings. It is a good idea to call the District Office in advance to confirm at 518-828-4360, ext. 2101.
The Board of Education will meet on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 6 p.m. in the Hudson Junior High School library. The first hour of the meeting will be dedicated to a curriculum workshop and the regular meeting portion will begin at 7 p.m. Check our website for meeting agendas, though Capital Project updates are regularly on the agenda!
As always, you can comment on the Capital Project any time by using this form to submit questions or suggestions about what you read in the Capital Project Update eNewsletter, or about the project in general.
Get more information about the project on the Capital Project webpage
Ask a question / send a message
Hudson City School District Board of Education
Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier, Superintendent
Meghan Tice, District Communications
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