NORWICH – Norwich’s High School and Middle School buildings got a major overhaul during the summer, but the work isn’t quite done yet. Interim High School Principal Dr. Robert Cleveland and newly-tenured Middle School Principal Lisa Schuchman updated the school board on the status in their buildings at the board of education meeting last week.
In general, both building principals are pleased with the results of the work already completed in the schools. Cleveland referred to the renovations at the high school as a “dramatic improvement.” Schuchman echoed the sentiment when referring to changes at her school, calling the results “absolutely amazing.”
The two will no doubt be happier when the work is finally completed. There are kinks still needing to be worked out at both schools.
“We are still working with a lot of technology,” reported Schuchman, who said she had been told the buildings’ card swipes would be fully operational this week. Some classrooms in her building are still waiting for smart boards and computers to be installed as well.
“This is the typical tail end of a big capital project,” said Cleveland. “There are a million loose ends that will probably go on for another month if not six weeks.”
Large group instruction room and administrative counseling offices are still unfinished in the high school. Tile work in the building’s hallways also remains incomplete.
While Superintendent Gerard O’Sullvan plans to give a full building project update at the Oct. 21 meeting of the Norwich City School Board of Education, he fielded some questions about the status of construction during Tuesday’s meeting.
Of particular concern to many, including board members and district residents, was the decreased seating capacity in the school’s gym.
According to O’Sullivan, the gym’s old bleachers accommodated 720 spectators. With the new bleachers in place, the capacity has been reduced to 660, a total of 60 fewer seats.
“New bleachers have to meet American with Disabilities access codes and new egress codes,” explained O’Sullivan. This includes handrails, aisles and designated spaces for wheelchairs that deplete the total area available for seating.
The superintendent said that the occupancy figures previously posted which set the capacity at or about 1,100 included standing room as well as seating.
Building a new gymnasium would have been the only way to maintain or increase occupancy levels, but O’Sullivan said the district ruled that out as an option in the current capital project because of the cost, estimated at between $6 to 8 million. He did add that attendance at past events was taken into consideration before the final decision was made.
Board member Joe Stagliano inquired about the status of “the pit” in front of the Middle School which was created by the collapse of an underground wastewater retention pond. O’Sullivan reported that to date, the contractor responsible for that part of the project had received one bid so far for reconstruction of that area.
“Where do we stand on the alternatives list?” asked Board President Bob Patterson.
“That is one of the things we need to wrap up and bring to closure,” replied O’Sullivan.
In response to questions about the project deadline and penalty clauses in the contract, O’Sullivan stated that the completion date was set as Dec. 30. “But within that certain mileposts were supposed to be met,” explained the superintendent. He did not comment on whether or not contractors had adhered to this project timeline.
The Superintendent’s Office will coordinate with board members for tours of the buildings next week and O’Sullivan will give a full building project report at the next school board meeting Oct. 21.