Dear Ellenville School Community:
We wanted to take this opportunity to update the community on the construction of the new cafeteria at Ellenville Elementary School. While our goal was to have the new cafeteria open for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, unforeseen obstacles have delayed the opening until the beginning of October. Reasons for the delay include the following:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval delay. Because of the school’s location within the glide path of the local airport, FAA approval was needed in order to have a crane lift the steel for the new roof trusses at the job site. The project’s permit submission took longer than expected and pushed the timing for the steel installation from the spring to the summer.
Poor weather. As part of the project, the school’s existing roofs needed to be opened in two classrooms and in a hallway in order to install steel trusses that are necessary to support the increased snow load caused by the new cafeteria. The roofs could not be opened if it was raining or if there was a chance of rain, thus delaying this portion of the work.
Labor shortages. The project broke ground late last winter, with construction originally scheduled to take place this past spring. Due to the heavy rain that we’ve experienced in recent months, as well as the FAA requirements, the schedule was pushed into the summer. This resulted in having to compete for labor resources among the other school construction projects happening in the area.
Come September, Elementary School students will continue to utilize the existing cafeteria and other available spaces, using a new lunch schedule. Instead of five lunch blocks there will be four, which means that students may begin eating lunch at 11:16 AM, rather than 10:24 AM. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding and will continue to provide updates on the opening of the new cafeteria. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please call (845) 647-0113.
Sincerely,
Lisa A. Wiles
Superintendent of Schools