Newfield school district timeline for capital project

Newfield Central School District (CSD) recently revealed the timeline for its ongoing $21 million capital project.

The project officially got underway on April 15. Phase one, which is overall site work for the district’s campus, will go until August, 2026.

Work to be done includes upgrades to the district’s middle/high school building, which will include creating a secure vestibule with a check-in window, adding a new school counseling office suite, adding air conditioning to the gymnasium, updating the student and staff bathrooms in the high school, updating the building’s public address (PA) and notification system and more.

The elementary school building’s upgrades will include increased access control of the exterior doors, updates to the PA and notification system, installation of select cross-corridor area doors and implementation of enclosed stairways.

The work at the bus garage will include updating the structure’s security cameras and PA system, adding bus charging stations and infrastructure, paving the bus parking area, updating the HVAC system, renovating offices and bathrooms, reconstructing steel columns and improving mezzanine access.

Phase two of the project, the playfields, began in May and concluded on July 2. Phase three, the main school building, started on June 2 and ended on July 9.

Phase four is interior access of the main building. That project is slated to begin on Aug. 6 and finish up by Aug. 25.

Phases five and six, which include work on Newfield CSD’s front and rear campus, both started on June 23. Phase five is tentatively set to end on Aug. 29, while the sixth phase will run until Aug. 22 of next year.

The district detailed past drainage issues and concerns about outdated spaces: “Flooded fields and pooling water outside building entrances disrupted learning and posed safety risks. These upgrades will keep our buildings dry, our grounds usable and our students safer year-round.

“Many student and staff areas (like bathrooms, offices, and instructional rooms) haven’t seen major updates in decades. This project modernizes these spaces to support comfort, accessibility and effective learning.”

According to a description of the capital project, it “represents Newfield’s commitment to providing a safer, more functional, and future-ready learning environment for students and staff. From much-needed drainage improvements to brand-new facilities, this work ensures that our infrastructure matches the excellence of our education. Our schools are evolving to meet the needs of today’s learners. From ADA-compliant upgrades to modern learning spaces and safer traffic flow, this project is an investment in our community’s future.”

“From new sidewalks and lighting to ADA-compliant facilities and EV-ready bus garages, this project invests in the systems that keep our school running safely, efficiently, and sustainably,” the description continued.

Newfield CSD Superintendent Jesse Harper, who oversaw two construction projects in his previous role at Arkport Central School District, anticipates a smooth transition for the capital project.

“It’s not going to be taking up all my time and effort because I’ve done it before,” he said. “It’s a great upgrade to parts of the facility. There’s a lot of maintenance that is going on with drainage. Some of it is not a ‘wow’ factor, but it all needs to be done. The project is well planned and well thought out. Now it’s my job, along with faculty and staff, to get the school ready for the beginning of September around the construction.”

In brief:

Details on Newfield CSD’s Class of 2026 scrap metal fundraiser

Newfield Central School District detailed plans for the Class of 2026 scrap metal fundraiser this summer.

The fundraiser will begin in August, a month before the start of the 2025-26 school year. 

A statement on this year’s fundraiser was provided:

“Last year was a huge success. Our students put in some major work last year and our community was so helpful.  

“The location of the container [this year] will be at the Newfield Fire Department parking lot due to the construction going on at the school.  

“If you have any metal that needs scrapping please consider holding onto it until August or let us know ahead of time. We might be able to make arrangements to pick it up if possible. Please pass this information on. 

“All proceeds will help to offset the costs to our students and families for [next year’s] senior prom and senior class trip.”

For more information, email co-advisors Valerie Lynch or Susie Taylor at vlynch@newfieldschools.org or staylor@newfieldschools.org.

Yoga at the library held every Saturday

A yoga for beginners class is held on Saturdays at Newfield Public Library from 10 to 11 a.m.

Phyllis KuanYin Chi, a yoga teacher certified through Yoga Farm in Lansing, leads the class. The instructor has additional training in trauma-informed yoga.

The class is on the second floor of the library. It is suitable for people new to yoga or those with mobility issues. There is also an opportunity to deepen poses for those with more experience.

The class is for ages 18 and older. Participants must have their own yoga mat or blanket. The class is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10.