Projects planned for city’s schools

By Rachana Dixit

Published: June 20, 2008

School is out for the summer, but activity in and around Charlottesville schools is not stopping.

City Capital Projects Coordinator Mike Mollica on Thursday outlined several school improvement projects to be completed by the time students saunter back through their doors in August.

During the City School Board’s meeting Thursday night, Mollica presented six large capital projects, major construction endeavors that cost more than $50,000 each.

“We have hit the ground running in many of our schools,” Mollica said.

Two of the six projects include roof replacements — one at Greenbrier Elementary and the second phase of Walker Upper Elementary School’s re-roofing. Construction of both replacements will begin Monday and completions are set for Aug. 15 and 22.

Walker’s roof is expected to cost a total of $906,000, while Greenbrier’s is estimated at $703,000.

Board Chairman Ned Michie expressed concern about the Greenbrier re-roofing — not because it might not get done, but because of a history of students climbing on top of the school. Michie said it was not infrequent in the past — a break-in even occurred because the culprits had easy access onto the roof, and therefore were able to get into the building from an inner school courtyard.
Jim Henderson, assistant superintendent for administration services, said the break-in might be more of a security issue. But Michie said preventing the climbs was key to preserving the new roof and deterring exterior damage.

“It’s not healthy for the roof and it’s dangerous for the kids,” he said.

However, Mollica said both roofs have 20-year warranties and could feasibly last 25.

Other large projects include a $375,000 floor, bleacher and blackboard replacement plus $225,000 worth of fine arts improvements at Charlottesville High School. Two more projects worth a total of $812,000 will make multiple schools’ equipment compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. For example, Mollica said, the new bleachers at the high school will be compliant with the 1990 act, whereas the previous ones were not.

Small capital projects, which mostly cost less than $50,000, will also be completed in the upcoming months. A total of 13 large and small projects are in the works.

“Summer is a busy, busy time,” Mollica said.