School Facility News: Greenacres Transformation in Process, Security Vestibules Delayed

Will the classrooms at Greenacres be ready in time for the opening of school? The district sent out the following communication on Friday August 23 indicating that these rooms were in their “final stage of transformation.” They anticipated that some classrooms might not be set up in time and said the principal would send out further information.

We walked through Greenacres two weeks ago and saw that casework and cubbies had been removed from the classrooms and painting and spackling were underway.

In other developments, according to the memo below, the security vestibules which were scheduled to be built at each elementary school this summer were not installed due to “contractor delays,” but the new safety monitors will start work in September.

See more about facilities work below:

Dear Parents,

As you may be aware, this summer marked the commencement of work on capital improvements that were included as part of the Bond approved by voters in February 2018. Much has been accomplished this summer, for both Bond projects and projects included as part of the annual budget. As summer draws to a close, school facilities staff and construction crews are busy finishing these projects and preparing our buildings for student and staff arrival. Please find below a brief summary and status of all this work.

Security Vestibules

Unfortunately, scheduled construction of security vestibules at each of our elementary buildings this summer is now postponed until early September. This postponement is due to unanticipated contractor delays in the ordering and the delivery of building materials. Although exact schedules haven’t been finalized, all work will occur after daily school/PTA activities are over, through to project completion in early October. In the meantime, new safety monitors will start the school year as planned, along with implementation or continuation of the visitor management system in each building by the end of the first week allowing for the smooth transition of new parents and students into our schools.

Greenacres

The nine classrooms and two other spaces scheduled for renovation are now in the final stages of their transformation. This work, along with final cleaning and other preparations, is anticipated to go through to Labor Day which may mean that some teachers will have to finalize their room preparation during the first day or two of school. Principal Hill will notify you of any specifics as we get closer to September 3rd. Work on construction of the new addition is also underway and is on schedule for completion in a year’s time. We have begun to populate the website with project information which can be found here.

Heathcote

Replacement of the roof is expected to be completed by the end of this week.

Air conditioning in each pod has been installed.

Fox Meadow

Construction of the field access stairs has been completed.

Air conditioning in the library has been installed.

Exterior painting, including that of the cupola, has been completed.

Quaker Ridge

Air conditioning in the library has been installed.

Edgewood

No major work this summer.

Middle School

Replacement of water heaters is scheduled for completion by the end of this week.

The addition of an egress door for the Band Room which increases student capacity is delayed and expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The Orchestra Room humidifier is scheduled for installation next week. This will prolong the life of student instruments stored in this space.

Elevator renovations are currently delayed while awaiting final architect specifications.

High School

Butler Track and Field renovations are now substantially complete with some corrective measures required in both areas.

Replacement of boilers is scheduled for completion within the coming weeks.

Elevator renovations are currently delayed awaiting final architect specifications.