The Springs School is getting a bit of a facelift.
On Nov. 18, the school board approved the use of just over $1.5 million from its more than $4 million repair reserve fund for five exterior projects. The fund is a savings account voters approved in May 2025. The repair work will have no additional impact on taxpayers.
The largest line item on the list is $540,000 to fix aging exterior steps, railings, walkways, and curbs at the school that have fallen into significant disrepair. The district plans to replace or refurbish broken areas and update their appearance, so they match newer parts of the school building.
The next-largest expense is $405,000 to fix the exterior fascia and cupola of the school. Both have rotting wood. The wooden fascia will be replaced with metal cladding that better matches newer areas of the building and has a longer lifespan. The rotted wood on the School
Street cupola will be replaced. Sam Schneider, the assistant superintendent for business at the East Hampton School District, presented the proposed projects. He is under a temporary contract to prepare Springs’s budget and manage finances while the district looks for a new business administrator. Mr. Schneider said the price tag for the fascia and cupola repairs includes extra money in case they discover additional, nonvisible rot once the work begins.
The playground will receive new safety surfacing at a cost of $251,485. Artificial turf will replace thinning wood chips, making the entire surface of the playground wheelchair accessible. The ever-popular cheese structure on the playground will remain intact, answering the age-old question at Springs School: “Who moved my cheese?”
Deteriorating exterior paint and stucco will be repaired and repainted at a cost of $216,000.
And $129,600 will go toward new fencing with privacy slats where a neighbor’s property abuts that of the school. The existing fencing is rusted, bent, and entangled in nearby trees. Several gates along the fence are also in need of replacement.
The board asked Mr. Schneider to confirm the urgency of these particular projects before giving their sign-off. “Prices only go up to buy the same thing,” Mr. Schneider replied. “The rot will only get worse. The concrete will only get more cracked. Not only is this a sustainable expense, but it’s the responsible thing to do.”
David Buda, who frequently attends board meetings, was the only Springs resident in attendance. He questioned why the playground, which is just a few years old, needs a new surface so soon, but was otherwise satisfied with the approved repairs.
“There are no gold toilets in this presentation. These are all reasonable,” Mr. Buda said.