Dear New Rochelle Community:
I am writing to share today’s update on the repairs of Isaac E. Young Middle School and New Rochelle High School, both of which were damaged by excessive flooding from what was Hurricane Ida.
At Isaac E. Young Middle School, all asbestos abatement on the damaged pipe in the cafeteria was completed. Prep work for replacing concrete flooring in the cafeteria, plant manager’s office, and two classrooms began taking place this Thursday and will continue Friday evening. Concrete floors will be replaced on Saturday, October 2. During the week of October 11, new floors will be installed in the remaining basement classrooms, and temporary epoxy floor paint will be applied in the cafeteria.
During the week of October 18, our on-site contractor will complete the punch list and do a cleanup. The following week, October 25, our facilities custodial staff will do a detailed cleaning and application of what is known as bioprotect antimicrobial coating. Staff and students will be able to safely re-occupy the remaining half of the basement rooms by November 1. The two sub-basement rooms – used for music and exercise – will re-open at a later date, as we are planning to redesign these spaces to avoid future flooding.
At New Rochelle High School (renovations pictured above), removal of flooded material will be completed by today, Friday, October 1, except in the pool, library, and athletic wing mechanical spaces. Demolition in those spaces began yesterday, September 30. All corrective remediation and repair work will be completed in Priority Zone 1 (House 1 and the surrounding area) by today, Friday, October 1. This includes new sheetrock, tape, paint, new flooring, and new ceiling tiles as necessary.
All asbestos abatement work was completed in the areas scheduled for re-occupancy on November 1. This was accomplished by the specialized crews working 24-hour work shifts to maintain the schedule for other construction work. Minor additional areas that need asbestos abatement in the library and athletic wings will be scheduled at a later time.
All House 1 furniture that was removed, cleaned, and sanitized will be reinstalled this Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3. All Zone 2 (C Wing) reconstruction work will be completed by Friday, October 8. The furniture for this zone will be returned on Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10. All Zone 3 (B Wing) reconstruction work is scheduled to be completed by Friday, October 15 and furniture will be reinstalled on Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17. The contractor is planning to do a final punch list and have cleanup completed by Monday, October 25. At that time, school district staff will arrange all furniture and equipment, distribute supplies, perform final cleaning and apply bioprotect in each completed space. Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles will coordinate getting staff back into the building during that week, as well as coordinating a new-student orientation for Friday, October 29. We are very excited to welcome our New Rochelle High School students back to campus on Monday, November 1!
Last evening at the Board of Education meeting, we were reminded that it has been only one month since the devastating rains of Hurricane Ida hit our community. While this has been a difficult time for all impacted by this storm, I again thank our crews for their tireless efforts to repair and safely return our schools for students and staff. I also thank our faculty and staff for their dedication and skill in continuing to educate our students throughout this time. Additionally, I thank our families and parents for bearing with us and supporting your children. Finally, I extend a special thanks to our students for enduring these challenges.
For more information on last night’s update at the Board of Education meeting, please use this link.
Sincerely,
