Lewis Central moves toward secure high school front entrance with $1.5 million renovation plan

Lewis Central School District officials on June 16 presented detailed plans for a secure front-entrance addition and interior renovation at the high school and asked the board for final feedback before the project is put out for bid.

District leaders said the project — roughly a 1,300-square-foot exterior addition plus about 2,300–2,400 square feet of interior renovation — is currently estimated at about $1.5 million and is intended to move administrative and security functions to the building front, improve visitor flow and expand the nurse’s suite.

The plan calls for a new glass-lined vestibule where visitors would be screened at a transaction window before being buzzed into the building, separate check-out lanes for students leaving campus mid-day, an enlarged nurse’s office with a bathroom and a shower, and an SRO/security office with line-of-sight to the vestibule and parking area. “That idea behind…is designed in a way that, not only will students and visitors be able to come in and stop in the vestibule to be buzzed in, but as students leave they will actually sign out or check out as they walk out of the building,” said a staff presenter. The design reuses some existing cabinetry and adds conference space and additional offices.

Architects and district staff said they prefer to stage the work in two phases: exterior construction first, with interior renovation during the following summer so interior work does not interrupt the school year. Staff told the board they expect to send the drawings out to bid and bring award and final approval back to the board at a July 21 hearing.

District staff emphasized operational aims as much as appearance. “We want to control the traffic flow going out because as those kids go out doors get left open…we’ve got to get a better handle on that,” the superintendent said, adding that the redesigned entry is intended to reduce held-open doors and make visitor entry obvious. Staff also stressed that the nurse’s expansion addresses privacy and health needs by adding a cot room, a private examination area and a shower for students who need it — items district nurses requested.

On security, the district plans to pair the new vestibule with its Raptor visitor-management software and Genetec camera/door-monitoring systems. Students will continue to use a QR-based check-in system for quick in/out tracking; staff will retain badge access and an emergency-response badge that can triangulate staff locations in incidents. The project rendering includes raised concrete seating and low planting beds designed to provide bollard-like protection without the visual or maintenance downsides of traditional bollards.

Board members asked about maintenance, pavement patterns and snow removal; staff said they had considered jointing patterns and sealants and would avoid high-maintenance colored finishes. Staff said many office staff and nurses were included in the design process and are supportive of the changes.

Next steps: staff will finalize documents for bid, solicit competitive bids, and bring recommended contracts to the board at the July 21 meeting. No vote to award construction was taken on June 16.

Ending: If bids come in as expected, construction would begin in the next months with exterior work targeted outside the school year and interior renovations scheduled for the following summer to minimize disruption.