New campus for HFM BOCES: News archive

School year kicks off at new campus

Students' arrival marks the beginning of a new era

Shortly before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, the first school buses slowly rolled up to the freshly painted curb outside the new HFM BOCES campus -- allowing students to see for the first time the inside of their new school. They were greeted by teachers and other staff members who were excitedly awaiting their arrival.

The brand-new 150,000-square-foot building has been under construction for the last 16 months. Although classrooms are ready for learning, small work crews will be completing finish work throughout the complex.

"Please do not be dismayed by the presence of contractors, technicians or moving company staff as you arrive and travel throughout the
building," said HFM BOCES Superintendent Dr. Geoffrey H. Davis. "Our partners at Turner Construction have presented us with Certificates of
Occupancy for the new campus in just under 16 months, which is an extraordinary accomplishment, and there will certainly be details
attended to well into the month of September."

In the last few weeks, HFM BOCES staff have begun the transition to the new building, including personnel in the Alternative High School, Career and Technical Center, SETRC, Operations and Health/Safety/Risk Management, and Instructional Services.

The Business Office and administrative staff will be the last to move into the building, with that move scheduled to begin on Monday.

For driving directions to the new campus, which is located on Route 67 in the Town of Johnstown, click here.
 

Members of HFM BOCES
Board of Education and
staff tour new campus

Some work remains to be done
 

Members of the HFM BOCES Board of Education and staff took a tour of the new campus on Aug. 10, the evening before the first moving trucks were
scheduled to begin unloading furniture, equipment and supplies for the Alternative High School.

Construction crews and HFM officials had already signed off on the remaining "punch list" of finishing details that needed to be completed in the Alternative School -- so those on the tour saw classrooms and offices that were completely ready for occupancy.

Some finishing work remains to be done in other areas of the new 150,000-square-foot building, but almost all of that work is expected to be completed in time for the opening of school in September. In addition to the Alternative High School and Career and Technical Center, the new campus will house all HFM programs and services, except special education classes which will continue to be based in participating school district buildings.

HFM BOCES will lease the new facility for 30 years, which was designed by King and King Architects of Manlius, NY. The firm has extensive experience designing buildings for both public schools and other BOCES.

The new HFM BOCES campus is being built by Turner Construction, a firm of national renown that has had much local success, including the new Gloversville Middle School and Canajoharie High School. Groundbreaking for the new campus began in May 2005.

Photo gallery

From groundbreaking to construction, here are photos of the new HFM BOCES campus. Click on the thumbnails for larger views.