The Mineola Board of Education unveiled the new extension to the Hampton Street Elementary School during its meeting last Thursday night.
The project includes an extension to the art room, the music room, and the library.
“I look forward to the children and the student’s family members seeing it,” said board President William Hornberger. “I hope the kids get to utilize all it has to offer.”
The project has been in development since February of 2011 and broke ground in early January. The board approved a final plan in late December last year, with a budget of just over $2 million.
Expansion of the library and addition of the art room and music room was prompted by the reorganization of the school district, with kindergarten, first grade and second grade students now being taught in the Hampton Street and Meadow Drive Schools.
Mineola Superintendent of Schools Michael Nagler missed the ribbon cutting ceremony due to a delay at a conference he was attending but offered his thoughts on the newly completed project.
“I am incredibly proud to have this extension open to the public and to our community,” he said. “It is a beautiful facility for children. It’s very age appropriate.”
Speaking about the library, Nagler said it’s a “vibrant” room that fills with sunshine during the day.
“It’s a welcoming place that children will enjoy for many years to come,” he said.
Nagler credited new school librarian Diane Nodell for her efforts since being hired in August, saying that she has not stopped working since that date.
“She spent weeks here over the summer,” Nagler said. “She had her husband and children help her stock the shelves to get it ready for opening day.”
Nagler also thanked the custodial staff for all the work they had done.
“This auditorium was packed with all the things that were supposed to be in the extension up until the last week of school,” Nagler said. “This crew really worked hard to make this happen.”
Nagler and the rest of the board said they were happy with how the project came together.
“We’re proud to deliver something to the community that’s cost effective, that’s age appropriate and will make this building viable for years to come,” Nagler said.
