Second phase of $43.5M Waverly School capital project completed

WAVERLY, N.Y. (WBNG) -- The Waverly Central School District recently completed phase two of its $43.5 million capital project, which updated several facilities in the middle and high school.

Students and staff returned to school this year with upgraded electric and air conditioning, state-of-the-art athletic complexes, newly colored hallways and new tech and agriculture wings.

“Our walls were a darker, more greenish tone and that definitely brought the mood down,” said senior Grace Spaulding. “Bringing the school colors has created more of a sense of pride and brought everything up. Even more with the gym, people are more excited to go to their classes and more willing to come in in the mornings.”

The three-phase project was approved by 82% of voters in a public survey. District Superintendent Eric Knolles said nearly all of the funds will be reimbursed by the government.

“This is 97% aided by the state,” Knolles said. “So, the 3% share is coming from the local share, so it really made sense for us to do this at this time with our aid rate being what it was.”

This project has been in the works for five years and has been under construction for two. Knolles hopes to see it utilized by all in the Waverly community.

“We’d like to bring our senior citizens in and to have all of our community use these facilities,” Knolles said. “So, we wanted it to impact not just the kids but our whole region as well. I think we accomplished that.”

The district will continue this project with renovations to the cafeteria and more interior work at the elementary school on Elm Street.