Southwick Selectman Joseph Deedy, center, gestures while touring the Powder Mill Middle School with, left-right, Mike McGarry, project manager, Karl Steinhart, chief administrative officer for the Town of Southwick, Steve Presnal, Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District business manager, and Eric Morgan, building and grounds supervisor, Officials toured Woodland Elementary School and Powder Mill Middle School yesterday as renovations continue in the school district. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Town officials toured Powder Mill and Woodland schools yesterday to view the progress of renovations so far.
Selectman Joseph Deedy joined Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart, Project Manager Mike McGarry, School Business Manager Stephen Presnal, and School Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Eric Morgan for the tour.
Deedy requested a tour during the Board of Selectmen meeting Aug. 26 after receiving complaints about the condition of the buidlings from parents.
“I got a lot of calls and a ton of complaints at MOO-licious,” Deedy said of visitors to his ice-cream restaurant.
The concern from parents was that the schools were not going to be ready for the Aug. 28 opening.
After taking the tour, Deedy was reassured that the schools were prepared for students.
“Powder Mill looks like it’s done until next summer,” Deedy said. “The lunch room looks better and is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.”
At Woodland, an entire wing of the school is sectioned off for construction during the year. Deedy said the work that was done there over the summer looks great.
“What is new looks beautiful,” he said. “There is new heating and it’s ADA compliant.”
Deedy said there are still ongoing renovations but he believes parents will be reassured that the schools are safe and ready for students.
Deedy also noted that at the highs school, students being dropped off should be brought to the Southwick Recreation Center where they will be bused to the school.
