Nearly two years after the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School capital project was first introduced, the $56 million project has begun.
The North Side school will have two new classroom wings, an upgraded outdoor space, hazardous waste removal, site and traffic improvements and an expansion of student support and counseling services.
It would take 25 years to do what they are embarking on in the next 18 months, Binghamton City School District Superintendent Tonia Thompson said at the project groundbreaking June 15, without the support of government officials, the board of education and everyone else involved behind the scenes.
Theodore Roosevelt students will be saying goodbye to the old building when the school year ends on June 22. For some students, this move will be permanent.
During construction, Roosevelt students and staff will temporarily relocate to other elementary schools as part of the new elementary school attendance boundaries. The district has thoroughly reviewed the boundaries and data to map out efficient school zones that address the lack of reliable transportation for families.
The new district boundaries — planned to go into effect for the 2028-29 academic year — will impact students who attend Benjamin Franklin, Calvin Coolidge, Horace Mann, MacArthur, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson schools.
As for construction, crews from LeChase will be doing an asbestos removal for the main entrance, cafeteria, gymnasium, and main office and installing new walls and ceilings. Aside from redecorating, the overall layout will remain the same.
The instructional space, which is the three-story building attached to the main entrance, will be demolished and converted into wings, with the addition of a staircase tower and multifunctional corridor spaces.
The first floor will introduce a new style of grade-level “neighborhoods” for grades pre-K to third grade, with 18 new classrooms and a special education classroom. The second floor of the new structure will be for grades 4 and 5, featuring eight new classrooms, breakout rooms and one special education room.
A proper drop-off and pickup site that is separate from the bus drop-off adds to the “tremendous asset” now in the works for North Side families, Thompson said.
The school district expects construction to be complete, and students to return to the school, by September 2027.
“This has been a long time coming,” said New York State Senator Lea Webb. The project remained at the top of her list since joining the state senate, Webb said.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said the groundbreaking is a direct result of not “taking no for an answer.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a more dedicated, community connection and team effort than this.”
Second grade student Adelynn Megway expressed her love for her teachers, Principal Nicole Kuehner, and her classmates at the event.
“Thank you to everyone who helped us so we can get a brand new school,” Megway said. “I’m excited about the new school because it will have better air conditioners — it’s been very, very hot.”
Despite the excitement around the planned renovations and construction, it was a bittersweet moment for everyone gathered.
“This building will be different the next time we all gather here together, but everything it has stood for and done for this community over the past 50-plus years will still remain,” Kuehner said. “Just remember that when you are part of a family, no matter where you are, your family is with you in your heart.”
A community celebration was held after the groundbreaking including a bounce house, snow cones, obstacle course and food to give students and families a chance to get familiar before changing schools next year.
Kalyn Grant reports on public service issues for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, focusing on schools and community impact. Have a story to share? Follow her on Instagram @KalynCarmen and on Facebook under Kalyn Kearney. Get in touch at KCGrant@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Students, teachers say goodbye as $56M Roosevelt rebuild begins
Reporting by Kalyn Grant, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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By Kalyn Grant, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
