Greenery Instructor:

Project Needs To Go On The Front Burner

By Sarah Walton

Construction of the Newtown High School greenhouse was discussed last Tuesday, September 28, at the Public Building and Site Commission meeting. Responding to recent concerns, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson said there is an issue of “sticker shock.” Essential items versus luxuries were also discussed. Biology teacher and greenhouse manager George Bachman voiced his opinion on the matter this week with The Bee.

“The basic greenhouse shell and the mechanical systems required to run it are what is essential,” said Mr Bachman about the basic needs of the greenhouse. “The cosmetic additions to the greenhouse such as the brick knee wall were the choice of the architect to maintain the integrity of rest of the project.”

Mr Bachman said he feels an energy curtain would be a worthy addition to the greenhouse, as he feels it would be an energy saver.

“An energy curtain is a device in the ceiling that seals in the heat in a greenhouse at night and shades it during the heat of the day,” said Mr Bachman.

Dr Robinson said the Public Building and Site Commission was looking for an alternate plan for construction due to the higher than expected price. Mr Bachman offered no opinion.

“There have been a variety of different of numbers published over the past year regarding the actual cost of the greenhouse,” he said. “I cannot give an accurate opinion. I have no experience in institutional construction.”

The Board of Education is not overseeing for the construction, according to Dr Robinson.

“People are confused,” she said. The budget for this construction, she added, is strictly part of the high school expansion budget, which is why it is being overseen by the Public Building and Site Commission.

There are 24 students currently enrolled in the greenery program, according to Mr Bachman.

“Greenhouse courses qualify for either science or elective credits, the greenhouse is utilized on a regular basis by culinary, art, video production, child development, science, and special education classes,” he said. “It is also used by students for independent study, for community service credit, and provides productive activity for students assigned disciplinary action.”

The current completion date for the construction is November 9.

“Unfortunately, the students who enrolled for the class with the expectation that our facility would be completed are suffering,” said Mr Bachman. “During open house at NHS, parents of these students voiced their displeasure at the delay and offered their support.”

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) committee members recognized the greenhouse as a major contributor to the success of NHS upon their last visit.

“My students have gone on to study horticulture at the college level. Some have made horticulture a career, and some have started their own businesses,” said Mr Bachman, who added that plans have been introduced to form an agreement with Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury where college credit will be granted for successfully completing the greenery program.

“A new class in greenhouse management is under consideration,” he added.

Mr Bachman believes this project needs to be put on the “front burner” for the sake of the students.

“All those hundreds of wonderful customers who enjoyed frequenting the greenery where students spent their own time working on weekends and nights to provide Newtown with a high level of service and quality plant products need to voice their support,” he said.

The Newtown Greenery is open to the public Monday through Saturday and for daily school events. Plants are provided for both local businesses and holidays. Greenery students work to compost food waste from the cafeteria and participate in school beautification projects.

The Public Building and Site Commission is waiting for a response from The Morganti Group to see a list of added items to the project, and, as of its meeting on September 28, expected to hear the findings by the end of October.