Move-In Date For NHS Expansion Uncertain

By Eliza Hallabeck

Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais urged all reading his most recent blog update on Wednesday, October 20, to “Keep your eye on the prize!” An e-mail was also sent out to announce unresolved code issues that are delaying the previously expected November 2 move-in date for the NHS expansion.

Mr Dumais said the code issues stem primarily from the possible necessity of additional sprinklers in the main lobby.

“There is yet another delay in our move into the addition,” Mr Dumais said. “The current completion dates for the gymnasium and the stadium are unchanged. We do not know when the addition will be ready for us to move in.”

On his blog, Mr Dumais said the frustration and anxiety felt by students, staff, families, and the community is understood, and the high school staff is working extremely hard to minimize the disruptions that may be caused by the construction project.

“Our scheduled move into the addition has been delayed,” Mr Dumais wrote. “Since the resolution of these issues depends on the determination of their necessity and the variable scope of work involved, [The Morganti Group] has not established a target date for the move. There will be at least two weeks notice prior to our move into the addition. This schedule modification does not affect either the Stadium or the Gymnasium.”

Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson announced the predicament at the Tuesday, October 19, Board of Education meeting, held the night before Mr Dumais’s post and e-mail notification.

“We are not complete,” Dr Robinson told the school board. “Hopefully, we will have more information after tomorrow.”

A meeting between school officials, The Morganti Group representatives, First Selectman Pat Llodra, and others was held on Wednesday to discuss the situation, resulting in Mr Dumais’s e-mail and blog post.

 The meeting came a week after, according to Dr Robinson, Public Building and Site Commission Chair Robert Mitchell took a tour of the expansion and determined the move-in date would not be happening on the previously expected date. In order to meet the November 2 date, Dr Robinson said the expansion would need to be opened to the school by October 28. After his tour through the facility, she said, Mr Mitchell realized this would not be happening by next week.

Calls and an e-mail to Mr Mitchell were not returned before this edition of The Bee went to print.