Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM: Stairway into Belknap Middle School partly closed

Sun, Nov 23 2008

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Published: September 03, 2008 01:14 am

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM: Stairway into Belknap Middle School partly closed

By Bill Wolcott
E-mail Bill
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

The main stairway into Emmet Belknap Middle School on High Street has been partially closed for nearly a year and is entering a second school year with no repair.

That was the problem of Tom and Diane Sy of 7111 Northledge Drive.

They wrote, “At least two slabs of steps have collapsed, and nothing other than a orange fabric fence and plywood cover the problem. Is the district so troubled that a safety risk like this can't get addressed before a second school year begins?”

An orange plastic fence surrounds the left half of the stairway and 2-by-4s on a saw horse block the staircase. Steps on the higher tier are covered with planks.

The planks have “hole” painted in white, but blue paint appears to cover up another word.

The problem will be resolved in less than two weeks, according to Superintendent Terry Carbone and Deborah Coder, the assistant superintendent for finance and management services.

Coder reported that water pooled under the stairs, and two steps had to be taken out to determine where the water was coming from. The school hoped the steps would be repaired before school started.

“We want our school to look beautiful,” Carbone said. “We had expensive infrastructure work within the buildings. We had to prioritize. The priority was inside the learning environment. We are disappointed, too.”

There are three unattached concrete steps at the base of the stairs ready to be installed. Orange fencing is curled up at the top of the stairs. There are chips on other steps.

Students can use the right side of the stairs.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott 439-9222, ext. 6246.

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Photos

JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lockport, NY - Half of the front entry stairs at Emmet Belknap Middle School on High St. have been plagued with crumbling stairs for a number of years. Unusual drainage, among other factors, have been blamed for the problem. None/ (Click for larger image)