Superintendent showcases summer capital work: new roofs, courtyard seating, nurse’s office and field work

Superintendent Michael Naglas presented a detailed update on the district's capital projects, illustrating how recent work is intended to extend facility life and improve student spaces.

Naglas said crews removed deteriorated roof penetrations, replaced roofing sections (including three high-school roofs and an auditorium roof), installed five new suspended air-conditioning units, and repaired skylights and other old roof penetrations that previously led to leaks. "When you take it all off, you get down to something called tectum," Naglas said while describing proper roof repair and new insulation and crickets to direct water to drains.

The superintendent highlighted a new courtyard seating area with pillars, planned low-voltage column lighting and plantings that are expected to 'soften' the space once grass and plantings establish. He noted the Synergy Cafe — a student-staffed operation with Aramark oversight and an agreement with Bagel Boys — has attracted traffic and will tie into student business and marketing coursework.

Naglas reviewed interior work: a reconfigured nurse's office (now ADA-accessible), new bathroom tiling, two desks for nursing staff and a more open, usable layout. He also described second-floor corridor renovations (matching materials used on the third floor), the planned removal of blue lockers over the Christmas break and installation of seating nooks for student work.

Naglas updated the board on athletic-field work: contractors mobilizing to move earth, install retaining walls and level the field, with a majority of work expected to be complete by December. He said coordination across gym, locker-room and cafeteria projects required careful sequencing so the school could remain operational during construction.

Board members praised the in-house facilities team — Naglas singled out Jenny ("Jenny Karkana" in the transcript) and Steve — for rapid response to a Meadow backflow incident and for doing much of the renovation labor internally to limit cost. Naglas said some projects (notably the high-school lobby ceiling) remain outstanding due to operational constraints but indicated continued progress.

The presentation was informational; no capital-authorization votes were taken at the meeting.