Pelham School District Begins Construction on New High School

On Friday September 5^th, the Pelham School District held a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new Pelham High School, designed by Lavallee Brensinger Architects.

Though design for the multi-phased new school began in 2012, community investment in the project has been over ten years in the making. "You, as a community, have waited more than a decade for this day," said Amanda Lecaroz, Pelham School District Superintendent. "We have finally passed muster at the ballot box and our children for years to come will benefit from the collective generosity of this community."

After passage of the community bond vote in March 2014, design phases moved forward quickly toward the goal of this early-September groundbreaking. In order to minimize disruption to teachers and students, construction will begin with a new 39,000 square foot addition, scheduled for completion in August 2015. The addition will then be occupied to allow for renovations and upgrades to the existing 88,000 square foot campus. The entire high school is scheduled for completion in August 2016.

Thanks to this generosity, the new Pelham High School will add nearly fifty percent to its existing footprint. Additional and expanded wings will now accommodate separate music, science, art, and technology education departments. A brand new auditorium will replace use of the gym and cafeteria as existing performance space. On the exterior, added elements will include increased staff and faculty parking, a softball field, and tennis courts designated for both school and community use.

"Countless citizens of Pelham can now start to see a dream realized: a new expanded and renovated facility for high school students," said Dr. Dorothy Mohr, Principal of Pelham High School. "By the fall of 2016, we will have a much better environment where together we engage students in enhanced ways, pioneer new methods and approaches to teaching, and expand opportunities for student learning."

The project consulting team includes Foley Buhl Roberts & Associates, Inc., structural engineers; Yeaton Associates, Inc., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers; Tighe & Bond, civil engineers; Acentech, acoustic consultants; Crabtree McGrath Associates, food service consultants; High Output, Inc., lighting and sound consultants; and Bonnette, Page, and Stone, construction managers.