Colonie Looks to the Future Amidst Construction

By Cameron Froehlich

Reporting from Colonie

Feb. 26, 2025, 9:28 a.m. EST

Administrators, faculty, and students at Colonie Central High School embrace optimism as the building enters the tail end of the first year of the district's Capital Project.

Building Principal, Mr. Behrle encourages members of the Colonie community to “look to the future” in the midst of a year  full of changes around the school including an overhaul on classrooms and athletics areas. 

Mr. Behrle says it's important to expect the unexpected and that the school community should be ready to adapt to sudden change, noting the Physical Education Department has excelled at as the renovations to both the PIT and MUG gymnasiums have created challenges with class space. 

Gym teacher and varsity lacrosse coach, Coach Woodard, said “it has been difficult at times… because we have been losing our major teaching spaces”. 

Woodard also said that as a department they have learned to “face the adversity and adapt quickly” when it comes to class space. 

The construction has been challenging for athletes and their coaches as well. Woodard mentioned that aspects of the project have been inconvenient, such as the loss of their team room, but that it will be great to be “up to speed with the other schools in Suburban Council”.

Athletes were one of the first groups to see the impact of construction. Junior track athlete, Ben Fondacaro, said he “didn't like the amount of time that was taken away from using the track because of construction” but that he also knows it is “for the greater good”.

One of the first areas of the building to be impacted by the construction was the library, which received a  remodel between the end of the 2023-24 and beginning of the 2024-25 school years. 

Librarian Ms. Luizzi discussed how she believes “being closed wasn't too much of a hardship” and how the construction is “getting everything more current and bringing things to the 21st century” with new shelving, study areas, and a conference room. 

Teachers such as health teacher and soccer coach, Mr. Stranahan, have also been involved in the construction as wings of classrooms get redone. When the 290s wing was remodeled Stranahan said he was living out of boxes, however this did not stop him from maintaining a positive attitude surrounding the construction and advances being made in the building. 

“For me it’s been really positive,” Stranahan said, “I don't think there's many teachers who can say they're getting a new classroom”. He advises other teachers to be patient as they are impacted by construction 

Beyond the impacts on academics and athletics a common concern surrounding the construction was the impact on building safety. Principal Behrle explained how the building utilizes the Raptor security system to ensure the safety of students. Behrle says that all construction workers are required to display an ID badge at all times when in the building. In reference to security, Behrle said it has been “very good over the last month”.

Looking to the future, Principal Behrle mentions that the MUG will still host Junior Prom as it has in the past, marking a return to normalcy in regards to the use of the space. 

Continuing to lead by example and maintain optimism despite the challenges Behrle says he is “really looking forward to having the classrooms updated” as the year progresses.