Board hears $500,000 estimate for potential pool gutter renovation; science labs, track and fields on schedule

The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District board on Tuesday received an update on multiple capital projects, including pool repairs, science classroom renovations, and track and field work.

Mike, the district facilities presenter, told the board that crews repaired deteriorating bottom drains and are installing a new filtration system in the pool basement to secure Department of Health approval. He said the pool’s gutter areas are deteriorating and will eventually require renovation; a stainless-steel gutter replacement was estimated by the presenter as “somewhere [around] $500,000.”

On classrooms, the district is renovating chemistry, biology, earth science and physics rooms at the high school. Mike said drywall is complete, ceilings and painting are next, followed by flooring and millwork; if work continues on schedule the rooms should be turned over to the district in August.

Work on the track is further along: crews removed old asphalt, installed cushioning around the track and began applying a synthetic surface. The presenter noted that weather — rain and winds above about 15–25 mph — can delay spray application, but crews expect to complete the surface coats as conditions permit.

The board discussed access timelines. Mike estimated the public could use the track “probably mid July to late July,” and said baseball and softball fields were expected to be accessible by late August to early September. He also warned that equipment staging on site and limited parking could constrain event logistics.

Board members raised questions about whether the gutter problem should have been identified before the filtration work and about prioritization of limited funds. The presenter said the filtration system was prioritized to restore safe operation and that the gutter replacement, while related to filtration, represented a larger, longer-term cost.

The district is also removing elementary-school ceilings to inspect framing and perform infill to meet code; that work will expand into classrooms when school is out. Asbestos and other unexpected conditions discovered in science rooms were cited as factors that shaped the construction schedule.

The meeting record shows no formal vote attached to these status updates; the presentation was informational and the board moved on to consent and personnel business at the same meeting.