The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The scope of construction on the Peru Central School (PCS) campus since school was dismissed for summer vacation has been the talk of town. Some of the “information” being discussed has not been accurate. Here’s a summary of the cost and scope of the current and future construction as provided by PCS Superintendent Dr. Tom Palmer.

On May 15, 2018 Peru School District voters approved spending up to $18,485,000 on a capital project designated “renovate, rejuvenate and restore” with a stated purpose of enabling the school to meet the needs of 21st century learning.

New York State building aid is paying for 88% of the cost. The district has committed $1,750,000 from a capital reserve fund and $700,000 from an uncommitted fund balance.

Phases 1 and 2 are underway at this time and should be completed by late August. The total cost is $5,038,476. Local contractors are doing the work.

Phase 1 Contract Awards:
General Construction to Murnane Building Contractors – $1,056,000
Roofing Construction to A. W. Farrell & Sons Inc. -$651,073
Plumbing Construction to K&L Plumbing & Heating Inc. $19,000

Phase 2 Contract Awards:
General Construction to Murnane Building Contractors Inc. – $289,000
Mechanical Construction to K&L Plumbing & Heating Inc. – $394,182
Plumbing Construction to L.H. LaPlante Co. Inc. – $47,000
Electrical Construction to William J. Murray Inc. $110,000
Site Work Construction to Luck Brothers Inc. – $2,374,521

Phase 1 and 2 at the Elementary School
Reconstruct roadways, parking lots and the K-2 entrance
Reconstruct student drop-off and pick-up areas
Repair the main entrance portico and cupola
Repoint masonry and replace control joints in the exterior brick walls, chimneys and vents

Phase 1 and 2 at the Middle/High School
Install LED event lighting for night games/events at the stadium/track
Improve traffic flow at the student pickup and drop-off areas
Upgrade the elevator to meet Americans With Disabilities (ADA) requirements
Reconstruct deteriorated asphalt areas at campus drive and loop
Construct a 4,000 sf metal “cold” storage building to replace a collapsing storage building

Bids for phases 3 & 4 will be advertised early next year with work to be completed next summer with the exception of converting the wrestling room into a multi-level fitness center/wrestling room.That project should be completed in late winter or spring of 2021.

Phases 3 and 4 include the following:

Peru Elementary School
Reconstruct/replace all outdated playground equipment
Upgrade public address system and add speakers to the exterior
Upgrade/install air conditioning units in several areas
Replace sanitary piping with galvanized lines
Roof replacements and drainage upgrades
Install protective pads at the gas lines in the roof
Upgrade grades 3-5 library and computer lab
Upgrade pubic toilets
Renovate and reconstruct the K-2 kitchen and upgrade equipment
Window repairs/replacement in grades 3-5 building.
Construct vestibules and canopy at K-2 door and bus drop-offs
Replace original plumbing and fittings with new ADA and Water conserving units

Middle/High School
Modernize HS Science rooms and add storage
Convert the wrestling room into a multi-level fitness center/wrestling room
Convert the weight room into a training room
Rejuvenate Home and Careers space
Replace Media Center furniture
Add water drainage system to area between HS/K2 and stadium
Upgrade intercom and announcement system throughout building
Provide centralized air conditioning for the auditorium, computer rooms and maintenance office area
Add CO2 monitoring devices where required
Add seismic bracing where required in the interior bearing walls
Replace older light fixtures with LED lights, add occupancy sensors to classrooms
Construct a loop road to connect the south and north drives for a convenient circulation pattern
Convert a co-gen unit, or installation of a 250KW standby generator for Emergency Standby power

Plus $1,560,112 improvements at the Bus Garage