SUPERINTENDENT DR. JOHN BARRY
SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools Superintendent Dr. John Barry updated the school committee this week on renovation progress.
The Southwick campus is undergoing a three-school renovation, which includes upgrades at Woodland Elementary School, numerous improvements at Powder Mill Middle School, which will become an intermediate school, and the high school, which will become a 7-12 school.
“We delayed the opening of school because of change orders to construction,” Barry said. “We are working with project management to pay more attention to details.”
Barry said they do not want any more delays, especially because they are nearing the end of several phases at Powder Mill and the high school.
“Most of the work is done at Woodland,” he said, noting there are just a few finishing touches and punch list items to complete. “The only other thing is the portables and whether to use them for storage or take them out.”
Barry said if they choose to remove the portable classrooms, which will no longer be needed once all projects are complete, the project manager wants to remove them before it snows.
“Otherwise they will be there until next summer,” he said.
Renovations at Powder Mill are currently focused on the gymnasium and its roof. At the high school, the new construction of the grade 7-8 wing is winding down.
“We’re getting ready for the January move-in,” Barry said. “The rooms are really coming together.”
A discussion took place about a new plaque for the high school which lead to a bigger discussion about naming the school. The committee has not yet discussed what to call the school once complete.
“We’re going to have to make that decision before the holidays,” Barry said.
Barry also offered an update on the new track, which was funded mainly by a donation from Steven and Elizabeth Nielsen. Steven is a graduate of the high school who offered $512,000 toward a new track, which will be named for longtime coach Dick Atkinson.
“The track received its coat of rubber and painting will be coming on soon,” Barry said.
Barry told the committee that Nielsen and Atkinson will be invited to a dedication of the new track once complete, which should be this fall.
