Despite the economic falloff that impacted school budgets ”“ and household wallets ”“ private school administrators say their institutions still proceeded with planned capital improvements and projects.
In Tarrytown, the 111-year-old Hackley School has wrapped up a major construction project ”“ the Goodhue Library renovation, which cost an estimated $17 million, according to Headmaster Walter Johnson.
It was devastated in August 2007 when lightning struck the building.
“It was one of the largest fires in Westchester County that they had for awhile,” Johnson said. “About 27 or 28 fire departments responded.”
All but a stone wall on the historically rooted Goodhue Library was destroyed; a three-year preservation plan ensued.
“It was actually more challenging to do that than a teardown,” Johnson said. “We had to build a building inside a building. Normally you would put the façade of stone on last.”
Peter Gisolfi Associates in Hastings on Hudson is the architect.
“It houses the history department on the first floor, a library and art gallery on the second floor and historical archives in the basement,” he said. “We made it a green building and are trying for Gold LEED certification. One key element is a geothermal heating and cooling system, which in addition to being a good economic outcome is a model of sustainability that has real educational value.”
The educational investment from families and alumni via fundraising has continued to give Hackley the wherewithal to invest in its students.
“Funding comes from parents and alumni and on the one-hand, people are thinking carefully about money they donate, but people who believe in education, especially during a Recession ”¦ it becomes even more central to people”™s priorities,” Johnson said. “People have been very generous because they perceive value and impact in our capital improvements.”
In Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie Day School for the 2008-09 academic year carried out a $200,000 renovation to the Kenyon House (houses the high school and administrative offices), which included energy-efficient windows, new furniture and cosmetic work.
A $1.45 million expansion of the Elizabeth C. Gilkeson Center during the 2008 to 2009 academic school year included the construction of two, custom-designed science laboratories, new classrooms and office space.
The total size of the center is now 55,000 square feet.
Updates totaling $280,000 were made on both buildings during the 2009-10 academic year.
Sandra Moore, spokeswoman for Poughkeepsie Day School, said funds did not arise from a particular capital campaign, “but out of temporarily restricted monies that we had targeted for campus improvement purposes.”
In Connecticut, New Canaan Country School in New Canaan, Conn., has completed Phase 1 of its master plan, specifically geared toward raising $23 million for endowment, Upper and Middle School improvements and annual funds.
“Similar to every school, we paused on our campaign activity in fiscal year 2008 to 2009, but continued to develop close relationships with our community of donors,” said Anne Carlson, director of advancement at New Canaan Country School. “Donor activity slowed dramatically that year, but some still gave. This past year (fiscal year 2009-10) has been much more active and we were able to successfully cross the finish line.”
Carlson said about $23.4 million has been raised, but that a total estimate should be released Oct. 14 at the annual meeting.
Part of the first phase included the Upper School expansion of the Stevens building, which earned Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in fall 2007.
The school earned the designation as the first LEED Silver School certified in the state by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
