New high school
wins state okay

By TOM KANE

JEFFERSONVILLE — The Sullivan-West Central School District received news last week that the State Education Department approved construction of a new high school.

The approval also includes the renovation of the three existing school buildings: Narrowsburg, Delaware Valley and Jeffersonville/Youngsville.

The approval was under a cloud for a few weeks after Governor George Pataki attempted to stop all building aid to school districts that had construction projects on the drawing board. But state legislators—Assemblyman Jake Gunther and State Senator John Bonacic prominent among them—voiced their intentions to oppose the Governor and move the projects ahead.

The vote of confidence was enough for the district’s bond counsel to give the go-ahead for bonding to fund the beginning of the project.

Ground breaking will occur some time in June, at the new school site on Route 52 in Lake Huntington.

“This is great news for Sullivan West,” said Superintendent Michael Johndrow. “Now that the state has given us the final go-ahead, it won’t be long until we see true signs of progress as this project becomes a reality for our school community.”

Johndrow said the process of bidding and awarding contracts will move forward immediately.

The district’s construction manager, Turner Construction, has publicly invited interested contractors from all trades to submit sealed bids for project work including general construction, electrical, heating and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and site work.

“The district will accept separate sealed bids until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2001,” Johndrow said.

The board of education expects to begin awarding contacts to the qualified low bidders within two weeks from the closing of bids, he added.

For more information regarding the bidding process, contact the district office at 845/482-4610, ext. 258 or the Turner Construction office trailer at 845/932-7800.