Malta Avenue Elementary Reopens In Time for School Year
BALLSTON SPA – A new school year marks new beginnings, and students and staff at Malta Avenue Elementary School in Ballston Spa are starting off the year in a newly renovated school.
Thanks to a $57 million facilities improvement project the Ballston Spa Central School District approved in 2012, Malta Avenue Elementary received a variety of improvements over the last 12 months. A grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the school Wednesday, Sept. 3 with dozens of students, staff and family in attendance.
“I’m so happy to have this finally come to fruition,” said Sharon D’Agostino, principal at Malta Avenue Elementary School. “Our building is absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t be more proud to be principal of it. We have finally completed our year-long field trip and I’m happy to say, we are home at Malta.”
Malta Avenue Elementary School is comprised of three buildings -- Chapman Street is the oldest of the three and was constructed in 1900, Pine Street was built in 1913, and Grove Street was constructed in 1928. The elementary school is housed in the Pine and Grove buildings with three classrooms in the Chapman Street building. District offices comprise the remainder of the Chapman Street building.
The Pine Street building was completely renovated into ten 21st Century classrooms and five academic support spaces; all three buildings were equipped with handicap accessibility, including the installation of an elevator; the playground was expanded by almost 100 percent with new play equipment, fencing and a retaining wall; asphalt sidewalks were replaced with concrete sidewalks; the basement of Chapman was waterproofed, allowing extra storage space; windows in chapman were replaced; and a new electric service was installed.
"It's a difficult time for schools, but we have outstanding support for the district at the state level and in our community," said Joe Dragone, BSCSD Superintendent.