Blues, greens, tans, and grays made up the primary colors of the proposed interior and exterior materials for use in the new Sandy Hook Elementary School that were presented to the Board of Education at its meeting September 16. The update came after the materials had already been presented to the Public Building & Site Commission.

Geralyn Hoerauf from Diversified Project Management reminded the school board that the last time the board was updated on the project was at the end of June, when the school board approved Phase 3 of the project, which includes site work.

“Since that time the project team has successfully marshaled the project through the local review process,” Ms Hoerauf said. Adding later, “and then we were able to take that packet of information back to the state to the office of school facilities and received their approval to proceed to bid on Phase 3.”

Aaron Krueger, project manager for Consigli Construction, reported that bids for the third phase of the project came in earlier that day.

“We received ten bids for site work, and we received seven bids for site electrical,” said Mr Krueger. “The low bids in both cases were below the expected budget for those particular line items, which is good. Just a word of caution there, that is about $6 million of the project that was bid in this current run. The balance of the work will be bid with Phase 4.”

The next steps for Phase 3, according to Mr Krueger, is meeting with the low bidders, and preparing a package that will go before the Public Building and Site Commission by the end of the month. After approvals and contract talks, Mr Krueger estimated Phase 3 work would begin around the week of October 13.

“The news is good on that front. Phase 3 is moving forward and looking forward to getting started on site,” said Mr Krueger.

After board member John Vouros voiced concern about low bidders, Mr Krueger said all the lowest bids would be evaluated.

“Certainly we will fully vet all the bidders that are out there on the low side,” said Mr Krueger.

Ms Hoerauf said Svigals + Partners has also proceeded to work on documents for Phase 4, which is building construction. The products and designs were brought before the Public Building and Site Commission a week before coming before the school board, according to Ms Hoerauf. She also said the school board will be asked to review and approve the final documents and cost estimate for Phase 4 at its next scheduled meeting, and, if approved, those documents will be passed on to the state for review.

“The drawings are being finalized as we speak, so this is your preview of that,” said Mr Hoerauf.

Materials Sampled

Julie McFadden of Svigals + Partners brought a bag up with her when she spoke to the board. Inside, she said, were “some goodies.”

She pulled out examples of hardwoods that are proposed for the front exterior of the building, along with other examples before Lynn Brotman, of Lynn Brotman Interior Design, previewed some of the interior materials that are planned for the school.

“The outside materials are very much like the inside,” said Ms Brotman before explaining that when walking from the outside to the inside, people will experience similar treatments of the surroundings. Adding later, “…the whole kind of feeling that this building is in its environment.”

When approaching the school, Ms Brotman said people will walk on concrete lined with river rocks, and inside the main lobby area the “main street” will be stained concrete, with a lighter tone.

“So that you have a sense that you are walking on a street of the earth,” said Ms Brotman.

The corridors that will lead to the classrooms will have resilient tile rather than concrete, she said.

The walls down the main street corridor will have a “rolling wood” finish, and on a top portion of the wall will have “an element emulating trees.”

Overall the space, according to Ms Brotman, will share, “a sense that you are in an environment of the earth.”

Between carpet tiles and other materials, Ms Brotman said the school will be created with, “a nice fresh palette of greens and blues.”

Along with the efforts being made on the materials, a school safety design committee, according to Ms McFadden, has met several times to review various security measures.

At least one more meeting will be scheduled with the group, according to Ms McFadden. Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi Jr requested a future executive session be held by the school board for a full update on security measures planned for the school.