Additional Engineering Study Of Congers Elementary Approved

After reviewing the phase two engineering report on Congers Elementary School, the Clarkstown Board of Education approved a phase three study at Thursday's meeting.

The 19-page phase two report of the shuttered school’s gym/auditorium will be posted on the district’s website today. Assistant School Superintendent John LaNave said at Thursday’s meeting that the analysis estimated it would cost $1.6 million to repair walls in that section of the building and also pointed out other parts of the building, which needed examination. He said the estimate included replacement of the south wall, replacement of most of the west wall and repair of the east wall of the school which was declared unsafe in late August.

“While phase two answered some questions about the auditorium/gym it also raises other questions about other parts of the building,” he said. “And so as of tomorrow we will be authorizing phase three of the engineering to have the rest of the building reviewed by the engineers for any structural improvements that are required.”

The first two engineering studies cost the district $17,000 and the third analysis is expected to cost $20,000.

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The information about part two of the analysis was released as the district prepares to set up St. Augustine’s School for Congers Elementary students. LaNave announced that the state agreed to provide emergency aid and will pay 55 cents for every dollar the district spends to rent St. Augustine’s, which will cost $194,999.99 plus utilities.

Items will be moved out of Congers Elementary to St. Augustine’s beginning today and materials and supplies from the classrooms Congers students have been using at Lakewood, Laurel Plains and New City elementary schools will be moved over the weekend. Parent volunteers will be among those unpacking boxes on Monday to get the school ready for classes on Tuesday, Oct. 15.