DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION PROJECT
ALTMAR-PARISH-WILLIAMSTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, like many Districts throughout New York State, experienced no drastic reconfiguration of education since the consolidation movements of the 1950s and 1960s. Recognizing they could not continue to operate their District in its current configuration, working with Ashley McGraw they developed a building program and reconfiguration plan that allowed for maximum building aid and consolidation of its facilities.
The process started with a series of planning sessions with the District, Board of Education, and community. Reviews included the District’s philosophy and mission, school boundaries, enrollment, organizational patterns, educational and support programs, class size and configuration, staffing and financial plans, community use of schools, educational specifications, technology plan and existing building configurations and capacities.
The Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan provided a comprehensive and district wide review of facilities and instructional programs, subsequently downsizing the capital plan to consolidate all students to the centrally located main campus, converting the existing 9-12 grade High School to a 7-12 grade facility, converting the existing 6-8 grade Middle School to a PreK-6 grade, and closing and disposing of all three remote elementary schools over a three-year period. The resulting $34.8 million capital project was completed in 2012.
Accommodating this grade reconfiguration required significant additions and alterations to the buildings. At the Elementary School, 16 new classrooms were constructed in two separate wing additions, and both the kitchen and cafeteria expanded. At the Junior/Senior High School, 8 classrooms were added, as well as a media center and a technology classroom.
Both buildings are oriented to maximize their southern exposure, providing access to daylight and solar heat.
The Media Center at the High School is a net-zero energy building - on an annual basis it creates as much energy as it consumes.
The High School Addition is LEED Silver certified and the Elementary School classroom addition is LEED Certified by the United States Green Building Council.
Photography: John Griebsch Photography
