Date: Fri 15-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

school-construction-NHS

Full Text:

Will The High School Be Ready? School Construction Projects Come Down To The

Wire

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The first day of school is only a month away, but the $30 million construction

project at Newtown High School looks light years away from completion.

School officials, however, say the school is still expected to open on

September 2, right on schedule. The much smaller project at Hawley School is

expected to be totally complete by Day 1.

"I don't think there's anything that should delay us, but it is down to the

wire," said Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed last week.

School officials say they knew the existing building at the high school wasn't

going to be completed before the start of school, although they did expect to

have both the lobby and the main office area completed and habitable. That

area of the school, in addition to the auditorium, music area and media center

(which will triple in size), won't be done until November or December.

"Certain parts of the building are not going to be ready. We knew this.

Everyone is going to have to sacrifice a little," explained School Maintenance

Supervisor Dom Posca earlier this month.

There's good news, however, as the massive new 74,000-square-foot addition to

the front of the building should be ready to take on the hoard of students who

will converge on the dust-ridden site September 3. The cafeteria is now

located in the new wing, as are 11 regular-size classrooms, a large group

instruction room and several smaller classrooms.

The concern lies on the second floor of the existing building, where workers

are scurrying to get things done. All the science classrooms have been moved

to the addition and those rooms are being reconfigured. Faculty offices are

also being relocated to this area of the school. The classrooms in the lower

level will also be ready for use.

Principal Bill Manfredonia said the second floor was priority one for

completion. The lobby/office area down below could wait.

"We wished we were a few weeks earlier. We had hoped to have the office and

lobby, but there are certain trade-offs you have to accept," Dr Reed said.

The former cafeteria section of the school was the last to be demolished and

masonry work is just beginning there.

Dr Reed said sheet rock walls will be erected at each end of the lobby; one

will separate the lobby from the English hallway near the main entrance and

the other will separate the lobby from the history hallway near the gymnasium.

There will still be access to the gymnasium, natatorium and locker rooms,

which are being renovated and should be ready for the start of school. The new

auxiliary gym should also be done.

More than 150 workers are on site at NHS trying to get the school ready for

occupancy. Those working in the existing building weren't able to begin until

June 20. The renovation work includes updates to the school's heating,

plumbing, air conditioning and electrical systems.

Dr Reed said students and teachers should be prepared for inconveniences at

every turn.

"I need to have the public understand the dimensions of this," he said.

Students will not be able to enter the school through the lobby. For now,

they'll have to enter through another entrance, probably near the area where

the new building connects with the old.

Dr Reed said the high school's back parking lot may not be ready, either, and

the school may have to curtail driving privileges for a short period.

The new roof put on over a section of the school is expected to be finished.

The school still needs several inspections from the town and state, including

a certificate of occupancy.

These days, just trying to maneuver into the high school's parking lot is a

challenge. Drivers must weave their vehicles through twists and turns, all the

while looking out for dump trucks and workers wielding jack hammers. The first

thing one notices is the "Newtown High School" sign that's been greeting

students, teachers and visitors to the school since it opened in 1971. Some of

the letters are either crooked or missing altogether.

The addition will increase the number of rooms in the school from 64 to 101.

Hawley Nears Completion

Meanwhile, the 22,000-square-foot Hawley School addition is nearing its

completion date, as well. The $4 million project has now reached the phase

when furniture and carpeting is brought in, according to Peter Lidstone of

ACMAT. A certificate of occupancy is expected from the state later this month.

"We're in pretty good shape with Hawley School," noted School Business

Director John Torok.

Of course, with both schools there are the "punch list" of miscellaneous items

that must get done.