Date: Fri 18-Apr-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

high-school-addition

Full Text:

with cut: High School Project On Schedule For September Opening

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

If you're a student at Newtown High School and you need to find a book this

spring, don't try to find the library. There isn't one.

Earlier this week, workers removed the contents of the high school's existing

library. All books have been boxed and stored away.

Research projects and/or term papers were moved up to the third marking

period, which recently ended, according to NHS Principal Bill Manfredonia.

Over the next four months, the undersized, old library will be transformed

into a state-of-the-art media center, nearly triple its original size and

complete with institutional and distance learning classrooms, computer work

stations, stacks, reading areas and a faculty professional library. In fact,

nearly the entire northern side of the existing school will be part of the

library when it opens its doors again later this summer. The NHS main office

will also be relocated to this area.

The new 13,000-square-foot library will look out onto a spacious courtyard to

its north, which will divide the existing school with the 74,000-square-foot

addition now under construction, the main component of the school system's $25

million project.

Since last July, NHS has gone under the knife, so to speak, receiving an

immense face lift, that, when complete, will bare little resemblance to the

troublesome old school, built in 1970.

According to Building & Grounds Supervisor Dom Posca, the entire job is moving

along like clockwork, and most of the work is expected to be done by July.

"The project is really coming together. There have been very few problems,"

said Mr Posca. "I can't praise O&G (Industries of Norwalk) enough for the job

it has done leading the operation."

In addition to a renovated library and the three-story building, the high

school will also have a new auxiliary gymnasium, a new multi-use field at

Bruce Jenner Stadium, a new roof over part of the school, and major overhauls

in several areas of the existing building. The school is also receiving

updates to its heating, plumbing, air conditioning and electrical systems.

"We're actually ahead of schedule. We're hoping to be 90 to 95 percent

completed by September," said Mr Manfredonia.

The only work that will remain will be renovations to the tech-ed and music

areas, which should be completed by November.

More than 100 workers are currently on site, installing sprinkler systems,

putting up sheet rock, painting, completing steel work, duct work, plumbing,

electrical wiring, and other mechanical work.

When completed, the addition will increase the number of rooms in the school

from 64 to 101.

A New Look

Next year, students will eat their lunch in the 17,000-square-foot cafeteria

in the lower level of the new addition. The new "servery" is designed around

multiple serving stations configured in a "scatter system," allowing the

service of more than 460 students in about 10 minutes.

The 10,200-square-foot existing cafeteria had become too small and outdated,

according to Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed, forcing the school to

schedule several different lunch periods lasting three hours. In the new

cafeteria, the lunch portion of the day is expected to be cut in half.

The current cafeteria will be transformed into art and music classrooms.

The main level of the new addition will contain 11 classrooms, a few smaller

rooms and one large lecture hall, which will be used for classes during the

day and town meetings at night.

The upper level will house 14 science classrooms and science laboratories,

plus a small computer lab. It will feature an improved exhaust system and a

chemical drainage system.

Later this spring, the two connecting corridors will be attached to the

existing building, providing access to both buildings.

Much of the renovation work to the existing building will take place over the

summer, according to Mr Posca.

Inside the existing building, the main entrance lobby will be expanded to

accommodate audiences entering the school for both the auditorium and the

gymnasium. Currently, the lobby is cut in half by a portion of the existing

cafeteria. That part of the cafeteria will be eliminated, elongating the

atrium to the gym. The spacious entrance may include small skylights, benches

and more lighting.

The two-story auxiliary building in the back of the school is expected to be

completed by May. It will contain a half gym upstairs with locker rooms/team

rooms and storage areas downstairs. The existing locker rooms are also being

renovated.