Watervliet Public Schools Bond
Construction Update #1

Building the Future of Watervliet Public Schools

Over the coming months, we'll be providing regular Bond Construction Updates to keep our Board of Education, staff, families, and community informed about the progress being made on the voter-approved bond projects.

First and foremost, thank you to our community for your support and trust. Because of your investment in our schools, we're making improvements that will benefit our students, staff, and community for many years to come.

The bond program includes several major projects across the district, including:

● Construction of a new Middle School cafeteria to better serve our growing student population.
● Expansion of the WAY (Watervliet Alternative Youth) program to create additional learning opportunities for students.
● Upgrades to building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve comfort, air quality, energy efficiency, and long-term reliability.
● Improvements to electrical infrastructure that will support our buildings for decades to come.
● Additional facility improvements designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall learning environment.

Why You May Not See Big Changes Yet

One of the challenges with construction is that some of the most important work isn't always visible.

Right now, crews are focused on the critical infrastructure that supports everything else: electrical systems, HVAC equipment, utility connections, and structural preparation. While these improvements happen above ceilings, behind walls, and on rooftops, they are essential to the long-term success of the project.

Although the visual transformation will become much more noticeable in the coming weeks and months, significant progress is already being made every day.

Progress This Week

Our construction team made excellent progress this past week.

● The old classroom heating and cooling units have now been fully disconnected.
● Approximately one-third of the new heating and cooling units have been delivered to campus.
● Crews continued preparing classrooms by creating openings and installing the supports needed for the new HVAC system.
● Work has officially moved onto the roof, where supports for the new air-conditioning equipment have been installed and rooftop equipment is beginning to arrive.
● Electricians completed the concrete foundation for the new electrical transformer and installed protective safety barriers around it.
● Additional electrical work continued throughout the building to provide power for the upgraded HVAC system.

What's Happening This Week

Construction crews will continue building momentum by:

● Installing additional electrical wiring and equipment throughout the building.
● Completing preparations for new HVAC piping.
● Delivering additional heating and cooling units.
● Measuring and preparing ductwork connections for installation.

Looking Ahead

Over the next couple of weeks, you'll begin seeing more visible signs of construction progress, including:

● Installation of the large rooftop air-conditioning units.
● New piping connecting rooftop equipment to classrooms.
● Installation of the building's new main electrical distribution equipment.
● Coordination with the local utility company to install the new transformer and transition the building to the upgraded electrical service.

We know construction can create temporary inconveniences, but every step brings us closer to facilities that better serve our students and staff.

Thank you again to our community for making these improvements possible. We look forward to sharing our progress with you every step of the way as we continue Building the Future of Watervliet Public Schools.