BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

NORWOOD — Norwood-Norfolk Central School will take unused money from the capital project to address a plethora of issues at the district.

Norwood-Norfolk Central School Superintendent Jamie Cruikshank updated the school board on where the district stands with its capital project.

The super said there is leftover money from the capital project due to “fantastic bids” on projects and scaled-back renovations. The unallocated funds remaining from the capital project are $1,584,210. The estimated cost of the work to be performed is $1,541,562. That leaves $42,648 for unforeseen expenses that may arise.

Architect Chris Crolius of March Associates, Todd LaBar of Watchdog Construction Management, and Facilities Director Pat McLaughlin attended the NNCS June 15 school board meeting to give details on possible projects that can be completed with the funds.

The list of potential work includes replacing some flooring and carpet, updating doors, a computer room remodel, lighting upgrades, improvements to the gymnasium sound systems, widening of the bus wash bay drainage, sewer improvements, a new sump pump system in the old boiler room, an upgraded fuel station and more.

“For context, when we went out for this project, some peripheral items were left off as we didn't know what to expect from the volatile bidding process,” Cruikshank said. “A few other items, now that the years have passed, are now rising in concern. When we completed the bid process they came back very favorable, much lower than expected. This allows us to complete the project, in full.”

The project is not utilizing more or additional money.

“It's the same amount that the voters previously approved for this project and all listed items still fit under the original scope,” the super said.

Cruikshank said the district could look to include many of these items in the "change order" process and utilize its existing contractors.

“However, considering the amount, it may be more prudent to go out to bid again,” he said. “That is what the Board thought was the prudent thing to do, too.”