NHS Expansion Will Not Be Ready

For September 2009

By Eliza Hallabeck

The Board of Education learned this week that the Newtown High School expansion project will not be completed in time for the start of school in September 2009.

The news frustrated some board members as they listened to a representative of the Morganti Group, the construction company overseeing the Newtown High School expansion, describe the construction process for the project.

“I think it is great in the plans,” said board Chairman Elaine McClure, “but personally I find that disappointing.”

At the earliest, according to the Morganti Group, the expansion will be completed by the end of November 2009.

“This is not a 12-month building,” said Ed Barrett, the director for the preconstruction of the Morganti Group project. “It’s just not enough time.”

Multiple members of the board then asked questions about what could be done to make room for the students.

Lillian Bittman, the secretary of the board, said something needs to be done to make room. She said shifting parking could be a suggestion to create area for more classrooms.

“The important thing is education,” Ms Bittman said.

In order for the construction to take place, a new road will be created for the use of the Morganti Group. The road would come up behind the senior student parking lot, and it will allow equipment and supplies to be put in place without adding to the traffic of the High School. Part of the senior parking lot will also be taken up for use, but some spaces will remain.

“From what I gathered last night,” said Ms McClure in a phone interview Wednesday, “everything should be fine this fall, but not for next fall.”

She said no more portable classrooms will be allowed on the property. Any suggestions for creating room would have to come from shifting classrooms and other areas for teaching.

“We had hoped we were getting in September,” said Ms McClure.

The State of Connecticut allows for 174 square feet of space for each student that attends a school past ninth grade. For students in ninth grade the state allows 164 square feet. With the addition of the current seventh grade class, the high school will be over capacity until the completion of the project.

During part of the construction the school will be missing the use of the gymnasium and the football field.

Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais said plans are being talked about that will create more space. With no football field available for use during part of next fall, Mr Dumais said away games are being scheduled to give the construction as much time as possible.

 “We need a wonderful job and we want it as quick as we can get it,” said Ms McClure during the meeting. “Just like everyone else.”