Reed Intermediate School Finally Certified For Occupancy

By Larissa Lytwyn

Nearly one year after opening its doors to students, Reed Intermediate School was awarded a certification of occupancy permitting full usage of the building’s facilities.

“We are very happy to have the major work done,” said Reed Intermediate School Principal Donna Denniston. While construction workers came on site after school let out, teachers and administrators had to ensure that students would not touch equipment or enter certain areas during the school day.

The final piece needed to acquire the CO was to replace the front entrance’s canopy wood with fire resistant material that would meet fire code standards.

“The state building inspector had told us after the canopy had been completed that we needed to replace the wood with a special kind of fire-resistant material,” explained school board member Andrew Buzzi. “The delay wasn’t in the construction itself but in getting that material.”

“When the [material was being replaced] we had to move large crowds through the cafeteria entrance,” said Ms Denniston, “which we were able to manage fine.”

Board of Education Chairman Elaine McClure said the board was “thrilled” at having the CO. “It’s been a long time coming and we are very happy to have it finished,” she said. Next, she said, Reed’s architectural firm, Haynes Constriction, will be finishing punch list items over the holiday break.

“There are only minor things left,” said Dom Posca, the district’s maintenance director. “We have to make some adjustments on the doors and repair some area of the gym floor and art room. But we are almost done.”

“It’s a beautiful building,” said Mr Buzzi. “It will be wonderful to now have the community be able to use [all of] it.”