Updates provided on GJSD’s Current Capital Project
Districtwide Improvements Strengthen Infrastructure and Enhance Learning Spaces
If you’ve visited the Greater Johnstown School District campuses this past year, you’ve likely noticed construction happening throughout the district. Much of this work is part of the District’s current $15 million “Medium Capital Project” and $3 million Energy Performance Contract (EPC), both approved by the community in November 2022.
“The scope of capital projects is very often driven by building condition surveys, which means the work typically focuses on infrastructure, such as HVAC systems, roofing, and other behind-the-scenes needs that are not always visible,” Superintendent of Schools Alicia D. Koster said.
“We were fortunate to include more visible, value-add items in this medium capital project, such as new pickleball courts, upgraded theatrical lighting in the JPAC, a state-of-the-art large group instructional space at JHS, and new classroom flooring throughout Knox Middle School. These improvements continue to provide our staff and students with a safe, inviting environment for teaching and learning, while also modernizing and enhancing our learning spaces,” she added.
While work is underway on a capital project, it also provides an opportunity to assess aesthetic landscaping needs at each campus and enhance curb appeal where needed. During a campus assessment, it was determined that three trees near the front bus loop at JHS are in poor health and will need to be removed for safety purposes. A replacement plan will plant more than four times the number of healthy trees to replace those being removed, along with additional small shrubs to further enhance the campus’ appearance.
“As we move forward with our capital project, we are using this moment to thoughtfully assess and strengthen the appearance of each of our campuses. Removing trees is never an easy choice, but our plan demonstrates our commitment to long-term sustainability and enhancing the beauty of our shared spaces. With additional improvements planned across the district, we remain focused on creating safe, welcoming, and visually vibrant environments of which our entire school community can be proud,” Koster said. A plan to add more trees across the other campuses is already underway.
Highlights of the medium capital project for each campus include:
Johnstown High School (Grades 8-12)
Large Group Instruction Space (“LGI”)
Located across from the gymnasium, this newly renovated space will be used for classroom lectures for grades 8-12, small assemblies/meetings and musical performances and is the new home to the District’s Board of Education monthly meetings. Old, deteriorated seating has been replaced with new modernized chairs. Ventilation and electrical resources have all been updated. New energy-efficient lighting has been installed, as well as a large screen on the stage to be used for presentations in class or in Board meetings.
Multi-Purpose Courts for P.E. Program and Community Use
Once aging tennis and basketball courts, the recreation area behind JHS has been fully reimagined with new pickleball courts and refreshed basketball courts in Johnstown’s distinctive purple palette. The multi-purpose outdoor instructional space is used throughout the day by students from JHS and Warren Street Elementary, with pickleball now incorporated into the JHS P.E. curriculum. Outside of school hours, the community is invited to enjoy the courts from dawn to dusk, with evening use supported by newly installed lighting.
Maintenance of the Pool
The pool at the High School was drained to allow for repairs to the pool tiles, the pool deck slab, and the concrete pool wall in the basement, along with the installation of a new basement sump pit. After a thorough deep cleaning, the pool is now fully operational—just in time for our winter swim and dive athletes to begin their competitive season. Students from Warren Street Elementary are already using the pool for swim lessons as part of their P.E. classes, with high school students taking their turn in the spring. The District’s community swim program will begin on Saturday, December 6. Students at JHS can take a lifeguarding elective and, once certified, may be employed by the District to support swim programs and pool operations.
Auditorium & Theatrical Lighting Replacements
The auditorium lights and theatrical lights have all been replaced in the Johnstown Performing Arts Center (JPAC), which is used for all choral and band concerts, recognition ceremonies, school assemblies, as well as Drama Club’s fall play and spring musical.
Knox Middle School (Grades 5-7)
Modernized Classrooms
Knox Middle School was constructed in the mid-20th century, with its origins dating to the period between 1930 and 1945. It is the oldest building that the District’s facilities department maintains.
Knox classrooms received a major transformation in this project with brand-new flooring and fresh paint. These upgrades, along with recently added modern desks and chairs, students in grades 5–7 now enjoy a vibrant, inviting space that makes learning even more exciting. The updates modernize the learning environments with furniture that supports collaboration, designed to adapt to a variety of teaching styles and student needs, helping create an engaging, innovative atmosphere where learning can truly thrive.
Knox Field Press Box & Scoreboard, Knox Playground
Following a smaller capital project that added new turf, a new track, and fencing, the press box at Knox Field received a much-needed upgrade as part of the medium capital project. Improvements included a new roof, fresh interior paint, and Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) refinishing on the exterior. The scoreboard at Knox Field was also replaced. During the fall season, Knox Field hosts varsity football and field hockey, while the track is used for track and field in the spring. The exterior of Knox Middle School was upgraded with new LED lighting to enhance safety. The playground behind the school now features a new drainage system and restored topsoil to address longstanding flooding issues.
Warren Street Elementary School (Grades 2-4)
Bus Loop Reconfiguration
A major visible improvement on the Warren Street campus was the reconfiguration of the bus drop-off loop, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency for students at the adjacent JHS and Warren Street campuses. The area also received new asphalt paving for the entire parking lot, new concrete curbs and walkway installations, driveway drainage improvements, and improved LED external lighting.
New Windows, Walk-In Freezer & Gymnasium Makeover
The project also covered new windows and window treatments at Warren Street and the replacement of the HVAC control system to help with energy efficiency throughout the building. The gymnasium received masonry work and a fresh coat of paint, giving the space a cleaner and more polished appearance. The cafeteria and kitchen at Warren Street have been upgraded with a new walk-in cooler/freezer, enhancing both food storage capability and operational efficiency.
Pleasant Avenue Elementary School (Grades PK-1)
New Hot Water Heating System
Pleasant Avenue had several projects included in the medium capital project. One of the biggest initiatives was the installation of a brand-new hot water heating system, which included new boilers and unit ventilators. This modern system is designed to operate far more efficiently than the older equipment, reducing energy consumption and improving temperature control throughout the building. The upgraded components are also more durable and reliable, helping to lower maintenance needs and ensure consistent performance for many years to come.
Serving Line in the Cafeteria & Library Windows
The cafeteria received a brand-new serving line, replacing the outdated system and creating a more efficient, student-friendly meal service area. The library also saw improvements, including the installation of new windows that open up views to the school’s courtyard, bringing in more natural light and creating a brighter, more inviting space for students to read and study.
Gymnasium
In the gymnasium, a new window system was installed to address previously leaking panels, and the surrounding wall was replaced with a fiberglass sandwich panel system to enhance durability, insulation, and overall appearance. In combination, the new windows and panel system will be more moisture-resistant and impact-resistant, providing a safe atmosphere for gym activities.
Glebe Street (Currently houses PTECH)
The former Glebe Street Elementary School remains the property of the Greater Johnstown School District and is maintained by the District’s facilities department. The building is currently leased to HFM BOCES and houses the PTECH program.
Much of the work at Glebe Street focused on the building’s exterior, including restoration of the main entrance canopy and its supporting columns. Renovations were also made to the Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) around the building, along with improvements to the soffits, enhancing both the appearance and durability of the structure. In addition, energy-efficient LED exterior lighting was installed, improving visibility and safety around the facility.
Inside of Glebe Street, the IT/server area now has its own dedicated, efficient cooling system to keep equipment safe and operating optimally. The HVAC control system was also upgraded, providing improved energy efficiency and more precise temperature control throughout the building.