CHAMPLAIN — The Northeastern Clinton Central School facilities project must be cut by $6 million, in part due to asbestos removal.

“It’s going to be some big pieces that are going to come out of the projects,” said Superintendent of Schools Peter Turner.

UPCOMING MEETING

At a School Board meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, architectural firm Collins & Scoville will present some ideas on keeping the facilities-wide upgrade within its voter-approved budget of $22.5 million.

But floated at a recent session were a few possibilities. Among them were cutting the Middle School roof replacement and some new windows for that building. Also brought up was dropping parking-lot improvements for that facility.

“They’re going to look more in Rouses Point, sharpen their pencils there,” Turner noted.

The four-classroom addition at that elementary building is not at risk at this point, he said, nor are other major improvements to that facility or Mooers Elementary in Mooers.

“The project was an attempt to improve our elementaries,” Turner said. “I think the board will stand firm on that as long as it’s within budget and we can afford it.”

COST CHANGES

It will cost about $3 million to remove the asbestos identified in a recent inspection, the superintendent said.

The remaining $3 million of the $6 million that needs cutting represents higher costs for project items determined as prices were fine-tuned, he said. And part of that, too, are items added after the project was approved by voters.

Collins & Scoville had originally thought those additions — which include a cafeteria/warming kitchen at Rouses Point Elementary, some new windows and a bathroom renovation in Mooers and the reopening and upgrade of a High School rest room — would fall within budget.