Binghamton School Roof Project Nears Completion

A worker on the roof of Benjamin Franklin Elementary School on Conklin Avenue on September 6, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

A roof replacement project at a Binghamton school is almost finished.

Crews have been installing the new roof at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School on Conklin Avenue over the past several weeks.

Voters approved the roof replacement last May. Work on the project began in late June, shortly after the end of the last school year.

The school was closed for emergency roof repairs for three days last February. After an unusually heavy winter rain storm, water seeped into some classrooms and hallways of the nearly-century-old building.

The roof project includes improved insulation and drainage features. Some additional work on the roof will be done over the next few weeks. That work is not expected to interfere with operations at the school.

Franklin principal Suzanne Thomas said a meet-and-greet event is being held Wednesday afternoon for parents and teachers.

The first day of classes for Franklin elementary students will be Thursday. Thomas said the school will have 499 students enrolled in grades pre-K through five.